2000 Ford Windstar Engine stalls and 'knocks' hard

2000 FORD WINDSTAR
124,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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CONDO2D
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I've got a 2000 Windstar with a 3.8L V6 and 124,000 miles. There is no check engine light on. about 5 weeks ago the engine would stall stall hard at stop lights. (Happened about 3 times over 9 days.) I also encountered an occasion where the engine 'knocked hard' twice within 4 seconds as I was driving at 45 MPH. The local news reported that there was 'bad gas' in the area with too much ethanol - and claimed that too much ethanol causes cars to stall. I thought that was the issue. I ran the tank down to nothing and filled up at a different station at least 9 days after the reports. Ran fine for half the tank (about a week) then started 'knocking hard' again as I drove through the neighborhood. About 4 times traveling at roughly 30 MPH.

Any ideas what could be causing that? I'm concerned that if I keep driving it, I will do some serious damage to the engine.

Thanks,

Condo
Jul 4, 2009 at 5:41 PM
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MERLIN2021
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Windstar vehicles: DO NOT perform PCM reprogram. Check for potential lean contributors and/or perform Octane Adjust only. Refer to the following Octane Adjust Procedure for details. If the spark knock condition, (2000/2001 Taurus/Sable), or transmission harsh engagement, (2001 Taurus/Sable) is still present after performing normal diagnostics, check for potential lean contributors and reprogram the PCM. On a very small percentage of Taurus/Sable vehicles, it is still possible spark knock may be present after PCM reprogramming. If spark knock can be verified after PCM reprogramming, proceed with the following Octane Adjust Procedure. OCTANE ADJUST PROCEDURE Use the New Generation Star (NGS) Tester to perform an Engine Octane Adjustment using the following procedure: 1. Using NGS Service Card (11.0 level or higher) and Flash Cable, select "Service Bay Functions". 2. Select "PCM (Powertrain Control Module)". 3. Select "Module Configuration". 4. Select EEC V or PTEC Vehicle - by TSB. 5. Press trigger to continue on emission compliance authorization screens. 6. Highlight the Octane Adjust column and press trigger, then rotate the dial to change the ignition timing from "No Retard" to "Retard". Press trigger again. 7. Highlight Fuel Octane and press trigger, then rotate the dial to set the octane to 87 Octane and press trigger again. 8. Press the Start button. You should receive a message saying that the change has been successful.
May help, it's a Octane adjustment for Windstarts, unfortunatly it has to be done by Ford...
Jul 5, 2009 at 5:50 PM
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CONDO2D
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This is a very hard knock. It is almost like when my timing belt jumped a notch in a '69 Fury I had. VERY noticeable jolt involved. Can an Octane issue cause a jolt like that?

Thanks,

Condo
Jul 7, 2009 at 2:49 PM
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MERLIN2021
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Could, and the knock sensor should retard the timing when it happens, but isnt? Ford service should be able to tell you right up front.
Jul 7, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Repair Safety Notice: This information is for general instructional purposes only. Vehicle repair can be dangerous. Verify all information, follow manufacturer service procedures, use proper tools and safety equipment, and consult a qualified repair shop when needed.