90 Aerostar troubles
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90 Aerostar troubles
Hi everyone...
I am so glad I have found this site!
I have a 90 Aerostar, bought it new in 90.
It has about 185000Km on it.
Last year, I decided to revive it...the rocker panels and door sills had all but rotted out. Had them all replaced, and it looks like a new van...also had to have the windshield removed and get the frame redone...it was leaking like a siev!
Now, my troubles are as follows.
The engine idles rough when cold, and there is hesitation.
Sometimes it seems like the limiter is kicking in when under heavy accelleration. Also, the exhaust noise inside is loud, sounds more like alot of air escaping.
From all the reading, I have figured that I should look at the TPS and Idle Air Controller first.
Does anyone have an idea of the prices of these components and how to remove and install them? I am in the Toronto area.
I will get some pics of the van soon...changed the colour from Black and Charcoal Grey to a nice metallic silver.
Thanks
Tony
I am so glad I have found this site!
I have a 90 Aerostar, bought it new in 90.
It has about 185000Km on it.
Last year, I decided to revive it...the rocker panels and door sills had all but rotted out. Had them all replaced, and it looks like a new van...also had to have the windshield removed and get the frame redone...it was leaking like a siev!
Now, my troubles are as follows.
The engine idles rough when cold, and there is hesitation.
Sometimes it seems like the limiter is kicking in when under heavy accelleration. Also, the exhaust noise inside is loud, sounds more like alot of air escaping.
From all the reading, I have figured that I should look at the TPS and Idle Air Controller first.
Does anyone have an idea of the prices of these components and how to remove and install them? I am in the Toronto area.
I will get some pics of the van soon...changed the colour from Black and Charcoal Grey to a nice metallic silver.
Thanks
Tony
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
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90 Aerostar troubles
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-May-02 AT 04:25 PM (EST)]Really sharp looking van, nice restoration and welcome to FTE, Aerostar.
Sounds like you've done some good research on this board already. The following tips wil work for both 3.0 and 4.0 versions. Rather than replace the TPS and IAC, just try cleaning them first with an aerosol spray, such as carb cleaner or brake cleaner. Just remove the air intake "snorkel" at the throttle body. On one side of the throttle body is the TPS, which is just a mechanical rheostat controlled by the position of the butterfly (throttle plate). Spray the butterfly, opening and the TPS sensor.
The IAC valve will have to be detached for proper cleaning, but it is a simple matter to do. Disconnect the electrical connector, remove two bolts securing the IAC and remove. The IAC has a small pintle pin at the bottom that is moved in/out by an electromagetic field. Often the pintle pin has residue and deposits which affect its ability to meter air flow to the throttle body, which can produce a rough idle as well as a stutter or hesitation on acceleration.
Also, clean the mass airflow sensor (MAF) while you're at it. This is located on the "snorkel" just after the air filter box. Depending on your model, you may need a Torex driver to remove the two mounting screws. This is a very delicate sensor, so use care in removing it and use an electronics cleaner rather than the aforementioned cleaners. Spray the fine wires liberally and check the metal mesh intake screen for debris.
As to your exhaust noise, this may be as simple as a leaking junction, a hole in the muffler or as complex as an internally collapsed catalytic converter. The first two are easily found by crawling around underneath. A clogged converter may be generating serious back pressure. The excess upstream exhaust airflow can pressurize your engine block causing oil leaks, burnt exhaust valves, poor mileage and a host of other maladies. Catalytic converters can be tricky to diagnose as they often work fine when the engine is cold but act up as the engine/exhaust system reaches operating temperatures. An honest muffer shop (oxymoron?) can be helpful in diagnosis or an emissions station can often assist you as well.
A hissing noise under acceleration may also be a vacuum leak, so if the exhaust system can be ruled out, check for vacuuum leaks.
Your good looking van needs lots of TLC and you will find many knowledgeable contributors on this board who can help you along.
Welcome!
Sounds like you've done some good research on this board already. The following tips wil work for both 3.0 and 4.0 versions. Rather than replace the TPS and IAC, just try cleaning them first with an aerosol spray, such as carb cleaner or brake cleaner. Just remove the air intake "snorkel" at the throttle body. On one side of the throttle body is the TPS, which is just a mechanical rheostat controlled by the position of the butterfly (throttle plate). Spray the butterfly, opening and the TPS sensor.
The IAC valve will have to be detached for proper cleaning, but it is a simple matter to do. Disconnect the electrical connector, remove two bolts securing the IAC and remove. The IAC has a small pintle pin at the bottom that is moved in/out by an electromagetic field. Often the pintle pin has residue and deposits which affect its ability to meter air flow to the throttle body, which can produce a rough idle as well as a stutter or hesitation on acceleration.
Also, clean the mass airflow sensor (MAF) while you're at it. This is located on the "snorkel" just after the air filter box. Depending on your model, you may need a Torex driver to remove the two mounting screws. This is a very delicate sensor, so use care in removing it and use an electronics cleaner rather than the aforementioned cleaners. Spray the fine wires liberally and check the metal mesh intake screen for debris.
As to your exhaust noise, this may be as simple as a leaking junction, a hole in the muffler or as complex as an internally collapsed catalytic converter. The first two are easily found by crawling around underneath. A clogged converter may be generating serious back pressure. The excess upstream exhaust airflow can pressurize your engine block causing oil leaks, burnt exhaust valves, poor mileage and a host of other maladies. Catalytic converters can be tricky to diagnose as they often work fine when the engine is cold but act up as the engine/exhaust system reaches operating temperatures. An honest muffer shop (oxymoron?) can be helpful in diagnosis or an emissions station can often assist you as well.
A hissing noise under acceleration may also be a vacuum leak, so if the exhaust system can be ruled out, check for vacuuum leaks.
Your good looking van needs lots of TLC and you will find many knowledgeable contributors on this board who can help you along.
Welcome!
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Joined: Jan 2002
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90 Aerostar troubles
Canadian Tire has a good parts cleaner available, its the one with the purple cap. I recently replace a cylinder head on my 94, and was very impressed with how well this stuff cleaned all the baked on stuff off of the used head I bought. My van was giving the same sysmptom, cold miss only. When I checked the spark plugs 1 was nice and clean, evidence of coolant passing through the cylinder. Are you using any coolant at all? If so and there's no leak you may have a bad head or head gasket. Where abouts in the Toronto area are you? I'm about an hour west of TO.
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90 Aerostar troubles
Thanks for all the help guys...
I will try these suggestions.
The work on the van cost me $2800 CDN, the rockers were all rotted out, along with the door sills...so, it looks like a new van now.
I haven't done anything on the inside as yet, but I am looking into covering the hard plastic with Vinyl. Also, going to install a new sound system.
Another question...
Does anyone have instructions on how to remove the headlights?
I need to replace the passenger side light, but having trouble removing the old one? Anyone have pics and instructions?
I am in the Mississauga area.
Thanks
I will try these suggestions.
The work on the van cost me $2800 CDN, the rockers were all rotted out, along with the door sills...so, it looks like a new van now.
I haven't done anything on the inside as yet, but I am looking into covering the hard plastic with Vinyl. Also, going to install a new sound system.
Another question...
Does anyone have instructions on how to remove the headlights?
I need to replace the passenger side light, but having trouble removing the old one? Anyone have pics and instructions?
I am in the Mississauga area.
Thanks
