I have a 2000 Ford Windstar SEL 165k Miles. Recently the idling has become very rough like a sherman tank also when accelerating from a stop the vehicle shudders but subsides when reaching highway speeds. Your thoughts?

 

Do you have the 3.8 L with the plastic intake manifold? If you do it is most likely that the rubber grommets of the isolator bolts have hardened and shrunk. As a result they let in air and that causes a lean condition. the computer fights to keep it running but it will run rough.
It took me about $50 in parts and one afternoon to fix my rough idling '03 Windstar.

 

Thanks blue. I think I'm having the same problem. For a while now, I've had the check engine light on and the code says it's too lean. The engine was running fine until yesterday when it began to shake while idling. What did you buy to fix it? Thanks

 

It was the harmonic balancer. Thanks for the feedback

 

upper intake manifold seal kit and isolator bolt grommets ($45, Advance Auto). Read the story here: 2003 Ford Windstar SEL Comments (r93154), Page 3

 

= Drivebelt pulley mounted to the crank shaft.
http://www.2carpros.com/images/artic...c_balancer.jpg