diagnose

2004 FORD FREESTAR
171,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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LEMELROSE
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My minivan shakes when its accelerating, especially uphill, what could cause this?
Dec 24, 2010 at 6:10 PM
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DOCFIXIT
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Could be motor mounts or inboard CV joints. shake more in steering wheel or seat?
Dec 24, 2010 at 7:07 PM
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LEMELROSE
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No, it shakes when I accelerate. I had the engine code pulled, and they think its my ignition. The spark plugs and wires are less than a year old, and I just recently cleaned my EGR and replaced the gasket to it...
Dec 24, 2010 at 7:50 PM
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DOCFIXIT
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What was code in P0xxx format? so you have an engine miss?
Dec 24, 2010 at 7:53 PM
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FIXITMR
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try this. put car i gear while holding brake firmly. give it a little gas peadal like you were going to start out but remain stopped. does it shake?
Dec 24, 2010 at 10:42 PM
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LEMELROSE
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I've done that, and it will hesitate...the only time it really gives me trouble is when I'm going up hill...it hesitates a little at other times, but it really stands out then; at that point, sometimes the engine light will flash
Dec 24, 2010 at 10:47 PM
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LEMELROSE
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The PO format codes are as follows:

P0300,0301, 0302, 0303, 0304, 0305, 0316, and 0401
Dec 25, 2010 at 12:50 AM
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FIXITMR
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those codes are all MISfire codes and the last 1 is EGR. so EGR may be faulty and ignition module/coil(s) could be the culprit. might want to do EGR first as it could cause misfires. you might try a block off gasket to test if vehicle then runs fine.
Dec 25, 2010 at 7:26 AM
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LEMELROSE
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The EGR issue was addressed about 3 wks ago, I replaced the gasket and checked the hoses. I thought the spark plugs were loose, but I took it to my mechanic, he raised it up, checked them and said they weren't. I started the van this afternoon, took the hoses from the EGR, and nothing was loss; in fact, I took the van for a spin and it ran better than it has in weeks...I'm confused...
Dec 26, 2010 at 2:34 AM
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FIXITMR
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the EGR is designed to allow a properly proportioned addition of exhaust gases to be re-burnt by adding them to the intake mixture at certain speeds and loads. any leakage at any other time will distort mixture too much and cause misfire which the computer may try to compensate for which may also cause problems. any malfunction/leak from EGR usually has very noticeable effects on engine performance. by blocking off EGR completely you are able to tell if IT was contributing/causing any running performance issues.
Dec 26, 2010 at 8:49 PM
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LEMELROSE
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ok, I'll try that, ? though...which hose? I've got 2 small hoses on the top...and a shorter but bigger hose (it's about a 1/4 inch in thickness but about 5 inches long) - on the bottom...
Dec 26, 2010 at 8:55 PM
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