Ok how difficult is it to change the plugs on my 1993 3.0 liter Aerostar???

 

O.K.
I just changed mine on my 94 3.0 won't lie,it was not a walk in the park but can be done with patience. To start with as someone else said buy good plugs so as not to have to play in there for awhile.I know I read about different ways but this is how I attemrted it.Bought new wires and good plugs started with front ones.when I could from the front,next you can reach a couple from the wheel wells on each side and the last ones I cried,just kidding.I had a rachet that did fit but tight, loosened them then used a key on the sparkplug socket.Iwould also suggest you check out this forum because it is somewhere on these posts I found it,very helpful.
Keep us posted
Mojo Hobo

 

I did them on my old 89 Aerostar last year. I have since sold it but here is the link the the thread I started about how to do it. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ghlight=spark+ Good luck!

-Matt

 

Here's another useful link. It's for the 4.0L, but probably quite similar:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=spark+plugs+

I have to to mine again soon.

John

 

when i changed mine in a 89 it was a bugger it just takes time and patience also a swivel socket is helpfull

 

Be sure to change the spark plug wires while you're at it.

 

Not necessarily.... I would buy new ones and when you take the old ones off inspect them for cracks and wear. And you also have new ones in case you wreck the old ones. Although if yo don't know the last time they were replaced then I would just do them. Peace of mind....

-Matt

P.S. A quick way of testing them (visually) is to start the vehicle at night and pop the hood. Look at the plug wires. Do you see little sparks? If you do then replace them. If not then they might be ok. Good luck!

 

Here's my two cents: good excuse to but a new ratchet. I used the "have to change the spark plugs" excuse to buy a new ratchet. The ratchet turns the socket buy twisting the handle. Good to have in those tight places. Also used long handle needle nose pliers. Great for leverage to get those tough wires off. Once you do it the first time, it get easier. Cheers -Joe

 

It's a miserable job, I bet the designers are still laughing.

Next time I change mine, I'm gonna drill an access hole through the firewall on the driver's side to reach the last plug. Then I'll just use a body plug to seal it after that. I remember a comment on one of the old boards about somebody doing that, they said it made the job a lot easier. Thankfully, we can get about 50k on a set of platinum plugs, so we don't have to do it too often.

 

I have a '91 3.0, and i have found that the l/s plugs can be gotten quite easily with a 2 foot extention. the front, and middle r/s ones through the right wheel well with the same extention. the r/s rear one was a whole 'nother story!!!!! whoever said you can get to it through the floor access panel must have really tiny hands!!!! i ended up laying on the ground under neath, and reaching up with the ratchet, and socket. thankfully, i put in platinum plugs, so i won't be doing them for at least a few years, or 100k miles, whichever comes first (LOL)

 

How can some of you say removing the plugs from the drivers side on a 4.0 is easy???? I got the passenger side out after twisting, pulling, and yanking the spark plug wires finally off, installed the new plugs, then went calmly over the the other side thinking what I have read in this forum about the drivers side being easier!!

Can someone tell me exactly how they changed the drivers side? I got my Aero up on stands, creeper, sockets, flex , etc. HOW do you get at the drivers side by the manifold?? I would personally like to have a talk with the bozo engineer who sat on his _)*$)#$ designing this one!

Removing the engine compartment cover was not a good idea either. I also have to remove the computer box just to pull the cover off easily. Then I found out that no way was my hand going in under the dash to find the plug? Who ever changed the rear plugs this way must have been on "Honey I shrunk my hands" episode!! Com on???

Back to the plugs. This is not an easy job even for a mechanic. Whoever says they can do it in 30 minutes either has gumby arms and is sized like Tattoo, or, the body and engine compartment isn't on the Van yet!

Even if I got the drivers side plug cap off, how do you turn a wrench in that little area?

Okay, maybe some of you have done it, however, I believe these things should not be difficult. I made up about 40 new cuss words for Ford and their engineering geeks who did this one!

Haven't finished as I have to figure this out. I do not like doing things half _$#)*$#)*$!!

Is it okay to run 3 new plugs and let the other 3 go?

 

If you read my post above, you would have thought I quit! Nope! I went back out, broke the drivers side middle wire cap, wrestled my arm and hand from the front, side, and bottom to get at the rest! I am 6'6' and weigh a healthy 250lbs, I will not do this one again!!

1. Removing inside engine compartment didn't help me at all, except, I have
to replace a bad wire and still no room to pull through the maze around the
engine!
2. Drivers side removal of spark plugs was the hardest! I saw someone in a
previous forum saying he can change all in 30 minutes. Try this with
118,000 miles on original set with middle driver side cap basically fried on
the plug!
3. Did anyone remove vacuum hoses to get at drivers side?

Bottom Line: Changing plugs on Aerostar's with 4.0's is a joke !

I still like my Aerostar, especially now that I called it every name in the book tonight!

The test will be tomorrow when I buy one wire, replace it and see if she starts better than with 6 plugs with over 118,000 miles on them.

Funny how I feel better this is done yet not 2-3 hours ago I invented a new language for Ford Engineers!


DONE with the Plugs!