Intake runner and Check engine light

NICOLEBH88

MEMBER
2000 FORD FOCUS
4 CYL
AUTOMATIC
114,000 MILES

I have a 2000 Ford Focus Lx, I recently took it to a mechanic as the check engine light came on. Code read po171 Bank 1 system too lean. Anyways The o2 sensor is fine, so they did a smoke test and found a leak in what he called an Intake Runner, not intake runner control module, but just Intake runner. He said the part is on back order and would be here in a few weeks. I paid $495.59 ahead of time for the part. To get to the point of my question, I have searched everywhere on the net for this "part" and nothing I can find equals to that kind of money. Does anyone know what this part is and why I need to change it? He said it's a special order item but it shouldn't be too special to exist on the internet somewhere. PLEASE HELP!

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,741 POSTS

The intake runners are part of the intake manifold. It's typically a dealer-only item because it doesn't fail unless it is cracked in a crash. Vacuum leaks in the gaskets are fairly common, (extremely common on GM trucks), but you don't have to replace the entire manifold, just the gaskets. Ask your mechanic why the entire assembly needs to be replaced. If it is made of plastic it might have warped. That could be a common problem with Ford only and would explain why it is on back order. That means they can't build 'em fast enough to meet demand.

A leak in the gasket, whether it be due to a defective gasket or a warped manifold would let extra air get into the engine and would result in the lean condition fault code.

Caradiodoc