When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
> Is there a harder vehicle to work on? I doubt it.
I especially like having to change Nos. 2 & 3 spark plugs via the right wheel well (jack up the front end and let the RF wheel hang, turn wheel, and get to the plug above and behind the top of the wheel). Of course, it's a lot easier to do when you've got the heads off to replace a batch of burned valves
Fortunately, we don't have to replace the spark plugs very often on these newer vehicles.
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 27-Nov-01 AT 08:43 PM (EST)] asavage, you rock! I found the easiest way for #3 is to remove the right front tire and interior engine cover. Then reach through the wheel well with your right arm,at this point notice that your hand barely fits; find plug with your 1st & 2nd fingers.Have your girlfriend lie down in the passenger floorboard and extend her left hand (works best if she's left-handed) into the engine compartment;she should feel around until she finds your fingers.Once that's done she can guide your wrench to where it should be. When the socket has seated firmly on the plug,it's you're turn to do the work, operate your wrench back and forth until release. Installation is reverse of removal.
Enjoy your experience,
Chuck
Oh, there is no doubt - I've owned 4 Aerostars, starting with an '86 now I have a '96. My AWD '93 ext raised my kids, and my wife wore it out (160,000). The '96 I just picked up from eBay. So far so good.
I definately think the aerostar is the coolest. my '92 has over 170,000 on it and it runs like new, well almost. Tranny slips a little. I love my van. I had a 93 ext. with the 4.0 a few years ago ang loved it. Hated to loose the 4.0! it made a big difference in power! Now that i figured out why my brand new radio sounded like crap, and fixed it i like it even more. I would love to see a new 'star in the future I would buy one!
My '94 Aerostar is my first minivan ever; Had it almost 2 months now, and I am very happy with it so far.
After I bought it, I looked around online for reviews and other info, and from the looks of things, if I had done this first, I probably would never have bought it! But I don't regret it at all.
One thing I noticed, when looking at the lists of various recalls on the van, is that I sort of lucked out in getting the '94; Most of the recalls happened on models before and after '94, oddly enough!
I think if the aerostar hadn't been rwd I wouldn't have bought it. A friend of mine had a voyager, and two years after he bought it he was replacing the transmission, good thing it was warrantied! not cheap! He ended up buying an aerostar the next year, and still has it today. I test drove a windstar and i wasn't really impressed. I love the grip i get with rwd. I go out and play in the mud sometimes, get the back wheels burried, and still get out!!! About the gas milage, I get about 18.5, but that's at 80mph on the freeway. Didn't have many problems 'til I let my son drive it. Hmmmmmm?
Speaking of the Aerostar being rwd... mine has "Electronic 4WD", and I was wondering, how does this work on the Aerostar?
Does it work like the "Quadra-Trac" Jeeps worked, having diagonal tires running full time, with the other 2 kicking in as needed? Or is it the rear wheels being full time, with the fronts kicking in when needed? Or, finally, is it 4 wheel full time?
I drive an 89 Aerostar RWD and love it. Living up in Canada, we get some pretty wicked snowstorms and my van has never left me stranded. I have an amazing set of snowtires for the rear and it handles beautifully.
I really haven't had any problems except I had to replace the engine early on (about 1991) but it has been trouble free up until recently...I had a leaky transmission but it was repaired for $100.00. And it's much more reliable than my friends 2000 Chrysler Minivan.