Recently I had the engine light on and went to Goodyear and had it tested. They told me it could be a vac leak from the air duct intake housing or house located on the back of the engine toward the driver side. I'm not sure what is the exact name for this part and they didn't either. They said, they applied silicone and smoked the car and nothing came out from that end and the light shouldn't come up, sounds like a Mickey Mouse job to me. Anyways, I've been reading forums and it could be an o2 sensor or fuel related. When I smog the van, the emissions test passed really good, but unfortunately since the engine light was reset the obdII said is not ready to test and failed it. However, now the light came back and idk what to do.
1) I do notice when I start the engine, it take a big gasp, or choke and then starts.
2) noticed that have lost a bit of power up hills, I can still run it up hill but I can feel the can is not like 50k miles ago.
3)I have only 106k miles in this van, so I don't see why should be giving me a mayor problem but who knows.
4) should I take it back to them and have them run a full diagnostic again since they couldn't figure out what it was the first time? I feel like they didn't do anything other than plug in the scanner. I've taken another one of my cars to get diagnosed before and that shop told me within few hours the fuel pump went out and they solve the mystery, unfortunately they closed last year.
Idk what to do, I need my vehicle to work, and ford says they don't make air intake parts and others for that year and model. FML!
After market doesn't either, Idk where to find them, without the exact name is going to be hard.
Suggestions? Thanks guys!!

 

First off I'd strongly suggest you finding another mechanic ASAP! I'd be hard pressed to deal with such an outfit personally---sounds like their main job is guess work and creating astronomical invoices for you to pay.

Next up would get obtaining and learning to use a "scanner" or trouble code reader, preferably one that will cancel codes as well. If DIY repairs are your goal then anyone with a Ford Modular motor or OBD-II compliant vehicle owes it to their wallet to own one of these first line diagnostic tools.

Without the exact code your Check Engine Light displayed its nothing more than a WAG as to what your issues might be---I'll take a stab at it anyway......

There should a 90* elbow at the bottom back of the throttle body leading to the right side (passenger) valve cover head where the PCV is located. If said elbow cracks you'll get a DTC or "code" aiming you towards that piece.

Also there is an assembly leading from the outlet side of the air filter housing running to the throttle body. There is a cast-in part which accommodates two hoses, part of the induction and emissions recirculation system. Check these photos from a 5.4 Modular Motor:





(More photos here if interested: Air Duct Photos by JWAPhotos | Photobucket

If a vacuum leak occurs along this induction tube (as Ford calls it) then you could also have the described issues.

Given that engine survived a few years after your van was built its hardly out of production or unavailable. If used you'd want to check for too loose fittings as outlined in red above or no rips, tears or other sealing issues with the replacement parts.

My guess is most of this is probably centered on the PCV>TB hose--a very common issues on our vans. Dorman p/n 40617 or its equal are suitable.

Hope this helps and isn't too, too TMI!

 

Hi, yes that's the part they put silicone Nd sealed. Supposedly they smoked the hoses after and no smoke came out from the old leaks but the light still turns on. I noticed each elbow has a port for a cable to be hooked or plugged that has an ending inside the elbow. I'm sure that reads the leaks or if air is running the proper way through them right? So, if this hoses are sealed is there a chance those electrical ports can be bad?
The codes we get is P0171 and P0174 bank 1 and 2. I took it to pepboys to get fuel filter and can starts faster however light never turned off. The guys were nice to scan it for free and said not to ever bring it to a place that sells tires.... They gave me those codes and said that should be a vacuum leak. My friend who's a mechanic but lives in other state said to change bank 1-2 o2 sensors. What's your intake on all this? Suggestions where I can find these elbow and PVC hose/tubes? Thanks so much!!!!

 

Not sure what you're asking but the first photo shows fittings onto which other hoses fit. The second photo shows how those fittings could not properly seal into the bigger assembly due the age deterioration shown.

The DTC numbers show Lean Bank 1, Lean Bank 2 which typically means the PCV elbow at the bottom back of the throttle body has most likely developed a leak---common on these motors from '97 onward.

The Dorman #40617 or its equal can be found at almost any decent sized auto parts stores, most likely one close to you. Amazon is a good wide area seller, so is AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'Reily's and so on.

 

Thanks for the info I did everything you said I changed everything make sure there is no leaks and put silicon everywhere and there's no leaks but that in July still comes up

 

July?

With all these repairs does the Check Engine Light still come on?

 

Yeah. Engine light keep coming on. I just changed the o2 sensor bank 1 drove so far 11 miles. Usually comes up between 10-15 so I'm crossing my fingers doesn't and I'll take it to get smog. Otherwise with codes p0171-174 what else could this be?

 

I'm asking two questions I guess..........

Was the original CEL code canceled or cleared out after you made the recent repairs?

After testing driving with the CEL codes having been cleared does the CEL come back on?

 

Yes but so far doesn't come on since I changed the o2 sensor. 22 miles already so I hope that's it and got fixed.

 

I hope so too---this has been an ordeal for you!

 

Damn light came back on.

 

The only code now is p0171 bank 1 running too lean. No vac leaks, changed the o2 sensor for bank 1 not 2. Changed fuel filter. Gosh what else can I do? Already bought me a scanner too.

 

Make sure your electrical connections to the O2 sensors are in good condition---could be that would interfere with the ECM "seeing" the sensors.

 

So I changed the bank 1 passenger side o2 sensor yesterday and the light turned off. Then drive it for 20 miles and came back with p0171 bank one lean again. Wtf? Idk what to do now!

 

Try looking at the pcv hose connection at the very bottom of the throttle body.

I had similar issues along time ago. The connector looked ok but was crumbling....

(Old, good mechanic had used his $3500 smoke machine to no avail, I made a stethoscope and found this leak....) john