Hi folks

Well reached a hundred K on my 1989So far so good.I do routine maint..But
Now comes the big question To change or not the timing chain .I hear they
go without warning,,Or does she give signs of pending falure.Is it easy to change.Ihad the engine scopes and its a stong motor..So what ya say ?

thanks

 

Timing chains are not as fragile as the rubber timing belts that are so prevalent these days. I don't think you need to do anything with it.

 

teg3:

Or as a Wise Man said more that once "If it Isn't Broke................

 

I have to agree with JTHill 24. I had to replace mine on my 1990 a couple of years ago and what a pain. It is quite an undertaking. You pretty much have to diassemble the whole front of the motor. Unless you are just bored I would leave it alone until it has to be replaced. And they do normally go without any warning whatsoever.

.02

 

All,

I agree with the fragility (is that even a word?) of belt vs. chains, so... Belts, YES (although I'm guilty of extending the recommended replacement interval...), chains, NO! Major reason? I've heard a lot of anectdotal evidence regarding the stress a new chain can place on other components, but have never experienced it myself.

BTW, while a firm believer in the "if it ain't broke school of car repair," I have a pretty low threshold for "broke," and so will replace if failure is imminent.

DadVan

 

I once had a full size van (Dodge B350) that had 260,000 miles on the original timing chain and engine. It ran great, just leaked oil like a sieve and consumed gas at an alarming rate (8 miles a gallon, or was it 8 gallons a mile?)

 

I enjoy the A-Stars and want to keep it as long as possible. I rather replace the parts at recommended time than to walk and pay more later!
I just wonder where can I find a scheduled maintenance table for the van components at 50k, 100k, 150k, 200k and so on. I just got a second A-star @ 160k miles. I like to know which parts Ford recommends to replace (Timing chain, wheel bearing or??)
TIA,
Fordboy49

 

Seems to me that a way to see if there is excessive play in a chain is to put a timing light on it and see how much the timing marks "Wander" back and forth. I assume that the 3.0 engine is free running, that being said, how much more work can be expected if the chain breaks?

 

I also am curious to know how long the timing chains last, I now have 5 aerostars, they keep coming my way, I am only using one, it is a 1990 at 190,000 now, runs fine, am apprehensive about the timing chain as this is the first 3.0 v6 I have owned, same engine as taurus, sable, etc.....

I hear rumors they run 400 000 without problems, which might just be true as my many Fords in the last 55 years seem to go and go and go, just change the oil every 10,000 and use good oil, I used Havoline from 1957 to 2005 when I learned Mobile 1 is even better, and now use it exclusively.. if a vehicle has steel cogs and chain, they go a long way... it was those silly plastic gears that fell apart, for many years I would buy for little or nothing, all kinds of vehicles that "died" and put cogs and chains in them, many were fine vehicles indeed..

The Chrysler vehicles used to have large cogs and good chains, really lasted a long time... the slant 6 engines all died from rod through the block, plastic gear broke on the oil pump and the distributor had a separate gear, so they kept running, with no oil pressure.... too bad... I do love the Aerostar, this cargo van gets 24 to 27 mpg all the time, put 20,000 miles on it in the last year, touring around....

 

I had an old mechanic tell me to put a timing light on and if it wanders or changes, replace the chain???? Thats if the vacuum advance and everything else is working that is.

Not sure how true it is.

Aaron

 

hi bud,

190k is about the max most get on the 3L chain and gears...'90 3Ls have the flat tappet lifters which put more drag and wear on the chain/gears instead of the later roller lifters...

do chain/gears/chain follower/tensioner kit
also pull cam and have mic'd for specs....flat tappets do wear out the lobes
can get the whole set chain/gears/new cam & lifter from our site sponsor RockAuto for a good price.....a good online parts dealer

change front seal while all is apart

in '94 3L, Ford changed to roller chain and gears....last far longer than earlier multilink

if water pump hasn't been changed in last 100k, time to do it while all is torn apart
and check fan fluid clutch....

not fun of any of these go out on long distance trip far from home....my last blood sucking mechanic vulture charged $350 to change starter in Chev on holiday weekend far from home...

 

Go here Fordboy. It should take you to the maintenance interval in Autozone's online maintenance manual for all years of Aeros. It only goes to 60K but it looks like the pattern repeats every 30K.