Repair or Replace? Advice needed!
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
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From: Ohio
Repair or Replace? Advice needed!
Our 1992 4.0L AWD Eddie Bauer extended van is in need of some serious repairs. We are trying to decide if we should fix the van or get another Aerostar.
Here are the stats:
purchased used in 2000 with 64k miles
currently has 99k miles
replaced ignition 2001
rebuilt tranny 2001
new tires 2001
rebuilt a/c (not converted to new freon) 2002
replaced tie rods in 2001
left ball joint replaced 2001
front brakes repaired 2003
These are the existing problems:
master cylinder needs refilling monthly
several oil leaks
shocks are shot
power windows stick
sliding door out of alignment
a/c and heater not working
considerable rust
muffler falling off
rear bumper falling off
antennae missing
roof rack damaged
What is your opinion? We are NOT mechanics in any sense of the word, but we can change tires and oil!
I love my Aerostar and would like to get another, but now I don't know if we should invest in a much newer vehicle, repair our current Aerostar or replace it with a younger one.
HELP!!!
Here are the stats:
purchased used in 2000 with 64k miles
currently has 99k miles
replaced ignition 2001
rebuilt tranny 2001
new tires 2001
rebuilt a/c (not converted to new freon) 2002
replaced tie rods in 2001
left ball joint replaced 2001
front brakes repaired 2003
These are the existing problems:
master cylinder needs refilling monthly
several oil leaks
shocks are shot
power windows stick
sliding door out of alignment
a/c and heater not working
considerable rust
muffler falling off
rear bumper falling off
antennae missing
roof rack damaged
What is your opinion? We are NOT mechanics in any sense of the word, but we can change tires and oil!
I love my Aerostar and would like to get another, but now I don't know if we should invest in a much newer vehicle, repair our current Aerostar or replace it with a younger one.
HELP!!!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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Not being able to perform your own repairs means these remaining, mostly minor, problems will be rather costly to fix.
At 99K, the van is just reaching middle age. It sounds like it has led a hard life prior to you acquiring it. All things considered, perhaps putting it on eBay and looking for another one may be your best best.
That model and the modest mileage generally attract a fair amount of interest. It would be an excellent purchase for someone mechanically minded.
At 99K, the van is just reaching middle age. It sounds like it has led a hard life prior to you acquiring it. All things considered, perhaps putting it on eBay and looking for another one may be your best best.
That model and the modest mileage generally attract a fair amount of interest. It would be an excellent purchase for someone mechanically minded.
Last edited by aerocolorado; Oct 7, 2003 at 05:19 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,041
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From: Orland USA
Well I always heard that you get rid a car before you put too much in it. But I believe that if you have already spent money to fix most problems, then have to spend more for other things that pop up......do it.
I have a 89 that I have most likely have spent more than I should of, but I do know what is fixed. And not much more needs to be done.
Now if I was to get rid of it I'd just have to start over with somebody else's mess. So I can spend the cash on mine or have to spend it on another.
I have a 89 that I have most likely have spent more than I should of, but I do know what is fixed. And not much more needs to be done.
Now if I was to get rid of it I'd just have to start over with somebody else's mess. So I can spend the cash on mine or have to spend it on another.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 184
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From: Ohio
Thanks for the input so far. If we were to get another vehicle I would still want an Aerostar, BUT as Jay has pointed out I will probably wind up spending money on repairs for it as well.
I am taking the van in for an estimate tomorrow. I will get a price on fixing everything (including the rust) and will let you know what the total is.
We are still uncertain of what to do at this point!
I am taking the van in for an estimate tomorrow. I will get a price on fixing everything (including the rust) and will let you know what the total is.
We are still uncertain of what to do at this point!
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
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If your Aerostar was a home, I'd say it was a great "fixer-upper".
As for the rust - it depends on where it is. If it's just surface stuff on a non-critical area, that's one thing, but if its on a Shock tower or the frame, or somewhere else critical...with all that is wrong with it, I would have safety concerns and get rid of it as soon as possible.
I think you might be happier if you got another Aero (maybe see what's out West in Texas or California or ??? - more rust-free cars out here!) and passed that one along to someone who doesn't mind spending the time and money fixing it up.
Our '92 has more than double your mileage, but is in great shape body-wise and the previous owner was fanatical about maintenance. I think that's the key to keeping cars over the 10 year mark.
We just bought our Aerostar a few months ago, and in addition to the $2500 (Canadian) purchase price, I've spent $600 on repairs thus far, to give you an indication.
I also have a '92 NX with high mileage and it's doing well repair-wise, with the exception of a new transmission.
As for the rust - it depends on where it is. If it's just surface stuff on a non-critical area, that's one thing, but if its on a Shock tower or the frame, or somewhere else critical...with all that is wrong with it, I would have safety concerns and get rid of it as soon as possible.
I think you might be happier if you got another Aero (maybe see what's out West in Texas or California or ??? - more rust-free cars out here!) and passed that one along to someone who doesn't mind spending the time and money fixing it up.
Our '92 has more than double your mileage, but is in great shape body-wise and the previous owner was fanatical about maintenance. I think that's the key to keeping cars over the 10 year mark.
We just bought our Aerostar a few months ago, and in addition to the $2500 (Canadian) purchase price, I've spent $600 on repairs thus far, to give you an indication.
I also have a '92 NX with high mileage and it's doing well repair-wise, with the exception of a new transmission.
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Senior User
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From: Ohio
I got my estimate today. What a bummer - it looks like I am in the market for another vehicle.
The a/c compressor is bad
front and rear shocks are bad
need new exhaust all the way
tranny pan gasket is leaking
and the big kicker is that the rear main seal is bad.
The service manager said that although they would love to make the money on my repairs they couldn't, in good conscience, advise me to fix the problems. The estimate for the above mentioned repairs would run upwards around $2400.
Anyone have a dependable Aerostar for sale?
The a/c compressor is bad
front and rear shocks are bad
need new exhaust all the way
tranny pan gasket is leaking
and the big kicker is that the rear main seal is bad.
The service manager said that although they would love to make the money on my repairs they couldn't, in good conscience, advise me to fix the problems. The estimate for the above mentioned repairs would run upwards around $2400.
Anyone have a dependable Aerostar for sale?
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Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 57
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From: North of Pittsburgh
Take your van to independant shops. The costs will be less than half of what the dealer said. Here is what I have spent on my 91 AWD 4.0 this year. And it is much cheaper than car payments each month:
Transmission + air gap muffler B&M Auto Recycling $845.41
Control Arm Bushings Mar Mac $376.30
Valve Cover gaskets Ken's Auto $272.00
Front Brakes Advance Auto $221.00
New Battery 12/18/2002 Advance Auto $35.34
Wiper blade Advance Auto $13.00
Inspection Mar Mac $47.70
Tie rod ends Mar Mac $178.00
Flat repair tire rotation Fuzzy Simon $15.00
Exhaust gasket and bolts Advance Auto $8.00
Cooling system sealant and Advance Auto $8.50
Air conditioning R134 Advance Auto $25.00
Waxes and polishes Advance Auto $15.00
Touch up paints Advance Auto $12.00
Silicone sealants Advance Auto $8.50
Right front marker light Ebay $25.00
Blower Motor Resistor Shults Ford $17.93
Total $2,123.68
Transmission + air gap muffler B&M Auto Recycling $845.41
Control Arm Bushings Mar Mac $376.30
Valve Cover gaskets Ken's Auto $272.00
Front Brakes Advance Auto $221.00
New Battery 12/18/2002 Advance Auto $35.34
Wiper blade Advance Auto $13.00
Inspection Mar Mac $47.70
Tie rod ends Mar Mac $178.00
Flat repair tire rotation Fuzzy Simon $15.00
Exhaust gasket and bolts Advance Auto $8.00
Cooling system sealant and Advance Auto $8.50
Air conditioning R134 Advance Auto $25.00
Waxes and polishes Advance Auto $15.00
Touch up paints Advance Auto $12.00
Silicone sealants Advance Auto $8.50
Right front marker light Ebay $25.00
Blower Motor Resistor Shults Ford $17.93
Total $2,123.68
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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At least the service manager is a decent individual and is not trying to take advantage of your situation. Other than the A/C rebuild and the leaking master cylinder, the rest of the repairs are fairly minor.
Don't worry about the rear main seal, most of the earlier 4.0 engines leak. It could have been changed for about another $40 when the transmission was out. Unless it is really leaking heavily, it won't do more than make a mess of your garage floor. Do as I do, and invest in cardboard. Just tightening the tranny pan bolts may solve that leak.
Even though you admit to being non-mechanical, one can always learn by doing. Lord knows, there is certainly a plethora of helpful folks on this board to assist your efforts. Perhaps you and hubby should buy each other a few tools for Christmas this year and start a new hobby together.
Just a thought.
Don't worry about the rear main seal, most of the earlier 4.0 engines leak. It could have been changed for about another $40 when the transmission was out. Unless it is really leaking heavily, it won't do more than make a mess of your garage floor. Do as I do, and invest in cardboard. Just tightening the tranny pan bolts may solve that leak.
Even though you admit to being non-mechanical, one can always learn by doing. Lord knows, there is certainly a plethora of helpful folks on this board to assist your efforts. Perhaps you and hubby should buy each other a few tools for Christmas this year and start a new hobby together.
Just a thought.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Ohio
That IS a good thought! Unfortunately our busy schedule and 3 young kids don't allow for any hobbies.
I took it to a local independent mechanical and body shop that is well respected in our area. The guy said that to fix the rear main seal alone would run about $1300. He also said he probably wouldn't take the job because he thought it would be best to invest the repair money in another vehicle.
I have started hunting for another Aerostar, but many of them are very high mileage.
Is a second opinion recommended in this situation?
I took it to a local independent mechanical and body shop that is well respected in our area. The guy said that to fix the rear main seal alone would run about $1300. He also said he probably wouldn't take the job because he thought it would be best to invest the repair money in another vehicle.
I have started hunting for another Aerostar, but many of them are very high mileage.
Is a second opinion recommended in this situation?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,041
Likes: 1
From: Orland USA
Before I'd buy another Vehicle, I'd have to wonder if they are selling it because they don't want to spend what it would take to fix it.
If you spent 2000 on yours and it was fixed, it would make it cheaper than spending 2000-3000 on another one then find out it was going to take another 1200-1500 to fix it's problems.
My wife has a 89 that we paid 6500 for 6-7 years ago. We've put maybe 2000 in it in repairs over the years. A freeze plug failed the other day and heated the engine. It blew a Head Gasket.
I'm getting ready to pull the engine and rebuild it.
Now the van has a rebuilt transmission done 6mts ago.
New brakes, rotors, drums, shocks, water pump, rad., distrib.,
u-joints, tires, plus some more stuff I can't remember right now.
So when I get done with the engine we'lI have a van good for another 200,000 miles.
Just the way I look at it.
If you spent 2000 on yours and it was fixed, it would make it cheaper than spending 2000-3000 on another one then find out it was going to take another 1200-1500 to fix it's problems.
My wife has a 89 that we paid 6500 for 6-7 years ago. We've put maybe 2000 in it in repairs over the years. A freeze plug failed the other day and heated the engine. It blew a Head Gasket.
I'm getting ready to pull the engine and rebuild it.
Now the van has a rebuilt transmission done 6mts ago.
New brakes, rotors, drums, shocks, water pump, rad., distrib.,
u-joints, tires, plus some more stuff I can't remember right now.
So when I get done with the engine we'lI have a van good for another 200,000 miles.
Just the way I look at it.