My van is sputtering while I am driving and I am losing oil, any suggestions as to what might be wrong.

Tiny
BOWLER2011
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 130,000 MILES
A month ago my windstar left died at the light and would turn on long enough to get me to the next light. Once I stopped it would die again. Finally got it to the ford dealership and they said my mass air flow sensor needed to be replaced. It ran fine until the other day. On my way home from work at the stop light it started sputtering like it was going to die. It never did die however everytime I was at a stop or the car was idleing it would sputter. Today it started sputtering even while I was drviving but never died. Also I had the oil changed a month ago and I am already low 1 quart but I do not see any oil leaks anywhere. I think this might all have to do with the same problem. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Sunday, October 23rd, 2011 AT 10:49 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
You have 2 issues. The stalling could be a failed idle air control motor which is a common failure. Have it checked to verify.

The oil usage is separate. It may be burning it if there is no leak like you say. You can change viscosity to slow it down but will not fix the issue.

Roy
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Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 AT 8:41 PM
Tiny
ANNEROSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,200 MILES
1998 Ford Windstar 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 102, 00 miles

I am getting a lot of sputtering and recent gas mileage drop.I used fuel treatments and better gas with no improvement. What might this be?
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)

Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ANNEROSE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks!
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JPELLMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 FORD WINDSTAR
Shakes or Wobbles problem 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 100, 00 miles

While driving at 60-70 MPH, with or without cruise control activated, and the engine needs to accelerate due to hill or accelerate slightly, the vehicle does several hard jerks (very noticeable inside the vehicle). Does not do the jerks when accelerating from lower speeds but only after reaching speeds above 50 mph. Does not do it during every acceleration. Engine RPM shows no fluctuation.

At lower speeds or while idling, the engine will also sputter, like it is not getting enough gas.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Has the check engine light come on? Have you checked fuel pressure?

Let me know.
Joe
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HALEY RICHMOND
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
We have had this van for five months. It has 85,000 miles on it. Starting two weeks after buying it it started to sputter every once and a while but the engine light did not come on until last week. The diagnosis was multiple cylinder misfires. So we changed those spark plugs and wires and nothing changed. Then we changed the coil pack and it seemed to help for about two days then the engine light came back on blinking. We were driving and one minute it is all good and then the next it started minute it starts to shake and stopped accelerating. We turned off the van and then started it back up (it always starts up with no problem) but when we push on the gas it sputters like misfiring and and try's to die. The past two days we have spent replacing many parts, here is a list of all: spark plugs/wires, coil pack. Fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator, checked fuses and relay. Fuel pressure is at 31. Also right after buying it we replaced battery and alternator in April. Please help! We are at a loss!
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
When you get a misfire I always recommend going to your local mechanic, these are very hard to find and can be any sensor or injector. The reason I do this is because he can freeze frame it and check sensors and or injectors as well as you replacing good parts by guesswork. It can also be a basic engine problem. This is the cheapest option.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
VINNYC879
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,000 MILES
I'm at a loss here. I replaced plugs, wires, air filter. Couple days later it rained and ever since I have had an issue where the engine sputters a little when I start it then it is fine while idling in park and neutral but as soon as I put it into gear it sputters really bad during acceleration. Once I get to about 25 to 30 mph it doesn't shake until I go to slow down to stop at a stop light then it is the worst. Idk know what else to do I ordered a new coil pack hoping that will help but I need some advise on this
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MLDANIELS2000
  • MECHANIC
  • 227 POSTS
Fuel pressure could be diminished causing it to run bad. Try changing the fuel filter. Also the fuel pump pickup screen could be clogged with sediment. If so it is best to replace whole fuel pump sending unit.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:49 PM (Merged)
Tiny
UKMOMMA24
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 FORD WINDSTAR
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
When I start the van in the morning to warm it up it sounds like a belt squeals. Last two days at times when I step on the gas it sputters when I start out like after stopping at a red light or stop sign then runs okay then may catch again with a slight sputter. What may be my problem? I drive mainly in city traffic.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the fan blet and tensioner was never changed try that as recommended replacement is 60k and you are way above that. It may not be giving the vehicle enough power. Also check the battery for condition including load test.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LISA_BURDEN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
My 1998 ford is sputering acting like it wants to die. Could I have gotten some bad gas? My check engine light stays on and when running or driving for a little while it will start to flash. Please help me I know nothing about cars.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TAURUSWHEEL
  • MECHANIC
  • 718 POSTS
Bad gas is a myth, many moons ago a possibility. Take your car if you can get it there, drive slowly or stop if light begins to flash, to a local auto parts store and have them scan it for you. Make sure you get the codes and post them here, do not buy any parts yet, someone here should be able to help you after, a flashing light indicates misfire and the vehicle should not be driven as emission parts, cat, may be damaged
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MANDIELYNN2010
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 FORD WINDSTAR
1995 Ford Windstar

Okay this is a weird problem we've tried everything and can not find the cause so maybe you can help. When you first start it it does fine and after it warms up it suddenly balks and sputters but after it starts balking and sputtering it keeps doing it.I need help
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lack of acceleration, chugging, hesitating, bogging etc. Could be caused by one of the following below:

Possibilities: Inspect and test all the following listed below:

Oxygen sensor.
Catalytic converter.
Fuel injectors dirty/sticking.
Mass airflow sensor/Airflow meter.
Throttle position sensor.
Crankshaft position sensor
Knock sensor
Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
EGR Valve
Fuel pressure regulator leaking or defective fuel pump.
False air leakage.
Fuel contamination.
Foul/defective spark plugs.
Open spark plug wires.
Ignition coil/Coil packs defective.
Incorrect ignition timing.
Cap and rotor.

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard it.
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Saturday, April 1st, 2017 AT 10:50 PM (Merged)

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