Aerostar Runs Rough
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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Aerostar Runs Rough
Happy New Year everybody! I'm looking at a '96 Aerostar with a 4L. It has approx. 110,000 miles. It hasn't had a complete tune up in at least 40K miles. It appears to be pretty well kept.
The check engine light is on and it runs rough with very poor gas mileage. Advanced Auto pulled the codes for me and it had EGR, number 4 cylinder, fuel mix and thermostat/low temperature errors. There may have been a few more but I can't remember. My first thought would be bad plug wires or the ERG valve or vacuum leak.
I realize that this could be any of a number of small issues and that one thing may lead to another. What I'm trying to get is an opinion on what may cause this behavior given the worst possible scenario. I don't want to get stuck with a big repair bill. Should I buy it for a grand or walk away?
Any opinion or advice will be greatly appreciated.
The check engine light is on and it runs rough with very poor gas mileage. Advanced Auto pulled the codes for me and it had EGR, number 4 cylinder, fuel mix and thermostat/low temperature errors. There may have been a few more but I can't remember. My first thought would be bad plug wires or the ERG valve or vacuum leak.
I realize that this could be any of a number of small issues and that one thing may lead to another. What I'm trying to get is an opinion on what may cause this behavior given the worst possible scenario. I don't want to get stuck with a big repair bill. Should I buy it for a grand or walk away?
Any opinion or advice will be greatly appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Hard to say! The only reason NOT to buy is if there is a head crack, head gasket prob, compresson problem. If all these things are ok then you just have to whittle away at the codes till you get it squared away.
Dick
Dick
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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As an old 4.0 hand, I'd venture a guess its several small problems. Notably, bad plug wires (betting they are OEM), possible dirty mass air flow sensor and either a malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor or thermostat. Put the EGR down on the bottom of the list for now. Curious though, how did you determine the mileage is poor without an extensive drive or did the current owner say as much? Cost of a dealer repair will likely be $1500 minumum. Your DIY cost for the above mentioned should be around $100. Offer the owner $500 and settle for $750. Plenty of excellent advice on this forum to get you up and going. We could use a new recruit.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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As an old 4.0 hand, I'd venture a guess its several small problems. Notably, bad plug wires (betting they are OEM), possible dirty mass air flow sensor and either a malfunctioning coolant temperature sensor or thermostat. Put the EGR down on the bottom of the list for now. Curious though, how did you determine the mileage is poor without an extensive drive or did the current owner say as much? Cost of a dealer repair will likely be $1500 minumum. Your DIY cost for the above mentioned should be around $100. Offer the owner $500 and settle for $750. Plenty of excellent advice on this forum to get you up and going. We could use a new recruit.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
these will get lousy gas mileage if there are major engine performance codes especially with miss codes and rough running.
ECM/PCM won't allow torque converter lockup for best mileage.
also, they buck like a horse, a 60d V6 with no balance shaft and a heavy miss.
Autolite or Motorcraft double platinum plugs only, same for ignition wire replacement. the under hood temps destroy other brands of ig. wiring.
double platinum plugs only because of the dual polarity waste ignition system, 3 coils in coil pack, each running 2 plugs in series. single plats will be eaten up on one side in few thousand miles.
Our site sponsor, Rockauto dot com has great prices on AL and MC parts and everything else Aero. love their quality service and fast shipping.
can't pay gas, drive and chase parts for their low shipping rates.
ECM/PCM won't allow torque converter lockup for best mileage.
also, they buck like a horse, a 60d V6 with no balance shaft and a heavy miss.
Autolite or Motorcraft double platinum plugs only, same for ignition wire replacement. the under hood temps destroy other brands of ig. wiring.
double platinum plugs only because of the dual polarity waste ignition system, 3 coils in coil pack, each running 2 plugs in series. single plats will be eaten up on one side in few thousand miles.
Our site sponsor, Rockauto dot com has great prices on AL and MC parts and everything else Aero. love their quality service and fast shipping.
can't pay gas, drive and chase parts for their low shipping rates.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
wear gloves in the Aero engine compartment. lots of sharp metal edges.
save your blood for the Red Cross.
lots of good writeups and threads on here for plug and ig. wire changes.
search for decarbon, MAF and IAC cleaning threads. do the decarbon before changing plugs.
douching out the interior of the throttle body with throttle body/carb cleaner helps also, major dirt crud collection point. hand clean the throat and back of TB plate with rag and cleaner.
save your blood for the Red Cross.
lots of good writeups and threads on here for plug and ig. wire changes.
search for decarbon, MAF and IAC cleaning threads. do the decarbon before changing plugs.
douching out the interior of the throttle body with throttle body/carb cleaner helps also, major dirt crud collection point. hand clean the throat and back of TB plate with rag and cleaner.
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