95 Aerostar cooling system issues
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95 Aerostar cooling system issues
Hello!
I have a 95 Aerostar with the 3.0 V6 and about 140,000 miles. It has always been a strong runner, but I have started to have major cooling system problems lately. The water pump just failed on me and it did get hot enough to shut the engine off. After replacing the water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch it seems to run nice for about 5-10 minutes or so, but then the engine blows the coolant out of the little hole in the top of the coolant overflow cap.
It does seem to run well up until it gets hot due to the overflow loss. I also did notice that it seems to be blowing more white smoke out the exhaust than I have noticed before.
Someone please tell me that I haven't blown a head gasket!
(please?
) The oil doesn't look contaminated at all, I thought that was a sign of a bad gasket.
Thanks!
I have a 95 Aerostar with the 3.0 V6 and about 140,000 miles. It has always been a strong runner, but I have started to have major cooling system problems lately. The water pump just failed on me and it did get hot enough to shut the engine off. After replacing the water pump, thermostat, and fan clutch it seems to run nice for about 5-10 minutes or so, but then the engine blows the coolant out of the little hole in the top of the coolant overflow cap.
It does seem to run well up until it gets hot due to the overflow loss. I also did notice that it seems to be blowing more white smoke out the exhaust than I have noticed before.
Someone please tell me that I haven't blown a head gasket!
(please?
) The oil doesn't look contaminated at all, I thought that was a sign of a bad gasket.Thanks!
Last edited by tk325; Oct 24, 2003 at 10:35 AM.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 76
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From: Littleton, CO
I think you have answered your own question. A blown Head gasket does not always result in massive coolant invading the oil pan.
I suffered the same fate with my 1993 Aerostar Van. Only I did not find out the head gasket was bad until AFTER a dealer replace the radiator (lotsa money, pissed me off...)
Mine runs great for 5 - 10 miunutes, then the temp guage spikes.
Sorry for the bad news. You can read lots of posts on here about how/why/how much to fix.
(My solution was to but a newer Aerostar with a lot less miles for a very decent price, but I've still got a busted Aerostar out in the street with a brand new expen$sive radiator sitting in it
)
I suffered the same fate with my 1993 Aerostar Van. Only I did not find out the head gasket was bad until AFTER a dealer replace the radiator (lotsa money, pissed me off...)
Mine runs great for 5 - 10 miunutes, then the temp guage spikes.
Sorry for the bad news. You can read lots of posts on here about how/why/how much to fix.
(My solution was to but a newer Aerostar with a lot less miles for a very decent price, but I've still got a busted Aerostar out in the street with a brand new expen$sive radiator sitting in it
)
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Orland USA
Well I have a 89 that has the same problem but I'm pulling the engine and rebuilding it. I know what I have done to it already and I trust it when it is running to get me where I want and back.
Like my Dad says, Why buy somebody else's problems when you can fix your's, & usually Cheaper
Like my Dad says, Why buy somebody else's problems when you can fix your's, & usually Cheaper
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From: Forest Hill
Are you able to do the work yourself? It's time comsuming but not expensive. I just bought a 92 Aerostar extended( now there are 3 in the driveway) with bad head gaskets for next to nothing. Going to replace them this weekend, clean it up and resell it. It's amazing that people will give these vans away for nothing and they only need a little work. Granted I have been a mechanic for over 22 years,lol.
Give it a try, it's a good learning expierience.
Give it a try, it's a good learning expierience.
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Yeah, my dad is going to help me out. I hate asking for the help, but he has tons more experience than I do, and is more than willing to drive up here and get it done right.
Probably going to go ahead and replace the heads altogether - found some rebuilt ones complete for $150/pair.
Probably going to go ahead and replace the heads altogether - found some rebuilt ones complete for $150/pair.
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From: Forest Hill
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Littleton, CO
Originally posted by Aerodude
5 hours and my 92 is done and runs like new! It's pretty easy actually.
5 hours and my 92 is done and runs like new! It's pretty easy actually.
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From: Forest Hill
Originally posted by JeffMasonCO
5 hours to R&R a head? IS that because you've done a lot of them?
5 hours to R&R a head? IS that because you've done a lot of them?
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