spring checkup
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 403
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From: cincinnati hamilton
spring checkup
i took my aerostar (91 ext. 4.0 litre, 160 tho mi. )to a local garage for a checkup. they told me i had a previous coolant leak on the intake manifold, that had stopped. is that possible? also valve covers leaking. estimated 700.00 to repair. the were also not too happy with my champion plugs (1 yr old)and bosch plug wires( brand new). they said i should stick to motocraft. ( just fyi) also they were concerned with my vales/rocker arm excessive noise. they felt it may lead to a sticking valve, i just thought it was more of a nusiance, since all ticking and tapping noise is usually gone after 15 min of driving.any thoughts on that? they did not recommend a valve job to correct problem because of the miles on the engine. i figure there are a lot more miles left in my engine as it is....sooo i'll just keep driving. we hope to take it on a trip to the coast to see my brother in new jersey and let the kids see the ocean. i'm pretty sure it can make it. ford gods willing. what do you guys think? thanks rick
91 aerostar xl,ext 160 thou mi (aka the green bean)
91 aerostar xl,ext 160 thou mi (aka the green bean)
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
spring checkup
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-May-02 AT 04:44 PM (EST)]Sounds as if they were at least thorough if only a bit misleading. Coolant either leaks or it doesn't, unless a previous owner has poured sealant into the system. In any event, if not leaking now, then there is no problem. The 4.0 seldom develops coolant leaks around the manifold.
There is nothing wrong with using Champion plugs and Bosch wires, I currently happen to be using the same combination sucessfully. The plug should be platinum and of the correct heat range.
You can easily verify a valve cover leak by visual inspection. Best viewed by removing the rear access cover in the cab. Again, the 4.0 is not known to have this problem, unless the covers were removed and improperly replaced. If they do show evidence of leaking, perhaps a minor tightening of the cover bolts will correct it.
The "valve/rocker" noise is actually lifter noise and the 4.0 is known to have this, but as you describe, it dissipates on warm up and is not a problem for long term driveability.
Bottom line: no problems worth worrying about, go enjoy the beach with the wife and kids. NJ in summer--hope that A/C works!
There is nothing wrong with using Champion plugs and Bosch wires, I currently happen to be using the same combination sucessfully. The plug should be platinum and of the correct heat range.
You can easily verify a valve cover leak by visual inspection. Best viewed by removing the rear access cover in the cab. Again, the 4.0 is not known to have this problem, unless the covers were removed and improperly replaced. If they do show evidence of leaking, perhaps a minor tightening of the cover bolts will correct it.
The "valve/rocker" noise is actually lifter noise and the 4.0 is known to have this, but as you describe, it dissipates on warm up and is not a problem for long term driveability.
Bottom line: no problems worth worrying about, go enjoy the beach with the wife and kids. NJ in summer--hope that A/C works!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: cincinnati hamilton
spring checkup
i tweaked the valve cover gaskets down a half turn or so. looks like the drivers side valve cover must be the culprit. oil is on drives side of block, passenger side looks dry.
plugs were champion "truck plugs" as recommended by auto zone, not sure now if they were platinum. do platinum ones look gold at the electrode side? i could pull one and look....i guess i should get the ac checked. its not new jersey that concerns me, as much as getting across ohio and pennsylvania, that turn pike seems to go on forever. thanks for the in-sight. rick
plugs were champion "truck plugs" as recommended by auto zone, not sure now if they were platinum. do platinum ones look gold at the electrode side? i could pull one and look....i guess i should get the ac checked. its not new jersey that concerns me, as much as getting across ohio and pennsylvania, that turn pike seems to go on forever. thanks for the in-sight. rick
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
spring checkup
Rather than pull the plug, just see if you can get the ID number by removing a plug boot. Call AutoZone with the ID and they can confirm whether it is platinum or not. A regular plug will work for while, but the higher voltages used on these ignition systems will "eat" a basic plug quicker than the platinum. Changing them is no picnic as you are likely aware. I'll trade you Ohio and Pennsylvannia any day for Kansas or Nebraska, at least you have some scenery and historical jump offs to investigate.
