my van is over due for a tune up, and is hesitating and ideling rough. I'd kind of like to do it myself. what is the easiest way to access the spark plugs...(yeah right like theres an easy way.) and how long would it take to do it if it is the first time doing a tune-up on an aerostar?

based on the other posts about wires and stuff I am guessing that I should save myself some trouble and just buy the motorcraft wires right? what spark plugs do you guys recommed for this vehicle, as I drive it A LOT, and hard!

what sensors, if any will I need to replace? how do I know, with out a reader, if they are bad? I have no maintenence history of what the previous owner did with it so I don't know what I will find...

Thanks.
-Mike-

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 02-Jul-02 AT 04:05 PM (EST)]I just replaced plugs and wires on my 4.0 this weekend. If the wires have been on a long time, GOOD LUCK trying to get off without damage. I have to cut the boots off of three of them and skinned knuckles on the others. I had to by after market which don't have the cool retainer clips like Ford's so I would buy theirs if possible. If your's is a 3.0, not sure if they have this feature.

I accessed my plugs in the following manner:

1. Jack-up front crossmember so wheels hang down. Put on jackstands!
2. Forward two plugs on each side go through wheel well opening with flex joint at socket and long extensions.
3. Remove interior access panel (remove cup holder and electronic module beneath ashtray). Put a socket with hex head over the right (passenger)rear plug, use an open-end wrench to remove.
4. Get left rear plug by putting socket over plug then wrench or socket driver on it. Do this all from the front like on a "normal" (ha!) car. It's tight!!

Again, this is for a 4.0. I could do this now in 20-30 minutes if the plug boots weren't glued on. I definitely used dielectric grease to prevent that from happening again but I still think it could happen if not changed long enough. The van I just did was just purchased with 132K, don't think they have ever been changed. On my other 4.0 Aerostar they were changed at 60K & 108K with original wires, plug wire boots came off okay.

Good luck & oh yeah, I would change air & fuel filters, maybe o2 sensor?

Mark

 

I have a '92 with the 3.0 and it took me about 3 hours to do cap, rotor, and wires. Cap and rotor are easy. Wires are a pain but apart from noting the firing order and the great trouble getting the old ones off the plugs (original wires at 88,000 miles, it was pretty straight forward, but very tight. I laid the wires on the workbench and put the new ones into the looms and then fed the three-wire bunchs back through on each side of the engine. Haven't attacked the plugs and may leave that one to my mechanic (they were changed at 50,000 but needs new ones). I had rust powder come out of two plug wires at the distributor boot. One of those wires read infinity on my ohm meter. I was going to let my mechanic do the whole job, but when he said $350 (including plugs) I headed for the parts store.