In my opinion, the Escape handled much differently than the Aero. While I expected some change, it was quite a change. I had gotten up to speed on the interstate and my exit came up, which was one of those 25mph tight curves. The Escape had subpar braking performance compared to the Aero, and as a result, I ended up briefly activating the ABS in a panic stop (and promptly got brained in the head by a heavy picture frame behind my seat).

Steering feel was much more connected to the road, although I never had cause to complain with the Aero's either.

Driver room was on the tight side. While the seat went back far enough and adjusted well, the steering wheel could not tilt up far enough, and as a result, left me feeling slightly cramped, though I adjusted to it.

*Excellent* acceleration in the V6 model I had. Even at 70, it was able to overtake and pass in seconds.

Control placement was good, and as I expect from Ford, all controls could be operated by hand without taking your eyes of the road, with a few exceptions. The radio's seek function required me to grope around the radio among many similarly shaped buttons. -10 for that. The cruise control switches were all the same texture, not convex and concave as in older models, which required me to look down when I used it. It also required me to read the owner's manual when I found that it required a slightly different procedure to activate than older models. -20 for that.

The radio volume and clarity was good, far better than the only other comparable vehicle I have owned, a '96 Ford Windstar.

The A/C was adequate, though it probably wasn't hot or humid enough for a fair test. The heater got decently hot quickly and won't leave you out in the cold.

Vision around it was good, no problems. Seating height was comparable, so that was good.

Mileage - I received it with less than a full tank of gas, and only added a few gallons on my way back, so I didn't get a chance to test the mileage. If I were to guess, about 23-4mpg on the interstate. I had the 4WD version. The FWD version reportedly has slightly higher mileage.

In all 6 out of 10.


Thanks for the suggestion of the AG and the paper. While the AG can't help since there was no misconduct per se, the paper may or may not be willing to run a short letter.

 

More and more engines have this flaw if the timing belt or chain breaks the engine is toast.

These types of engines are called interference engines, if the timing chain slips on the sprocket even one tooth or breaks, the piston can crash into an open valve causing serious engine damage by bending valves and breaking pistons. Probably the rods if they don't break get warped as well.

Thats a hard lesson in timing chain replacment one of my engines on my 90 Toyota's belt snapped on me while driving luckily it was a non-interference engine as was alot easier to replace then the directions I've read for my Aero's chain .

I'm sure these engines just make Ford more money either the customer will either buy a new car (their preferred option) or get it repaired for a very high price. In any case for a mechanic to remove the engine and get a long block since I don't think anyone would be crazy enough to try to rebuild that engine except me it was the right thing to do.

RIP 1993 Ford Aerostar XL .

 

I would too...be a good excuse to rebuild/freshen up the whole van.

 

multiple random jumping around P03xx cylinder #x misfire codes may also be sign of failing timing chain /gear set. and old school--strange intermittent noise in front of engine. also back firing and loss of power.

most advanced shops, especially the top dealer shops, are set up with computerized system monitoring that can diagnose loose/worn cam drive system from cam and crank position sensor signals if the techs know what to look for.

 

hmmm...good point 96. it sounds like time to check mine. had to advance timing slightly in order to pass e-test. could be mine's well worn too.

 

96_4wdr - Earlier in the day while driving, I had been talking on my phone. I had been going down a quiet deserted stretch of road, so didn't feel I needed to pull over to take the call. While on the call, I remember looking at the speedometer once and seeing it was at 55, where it was set on cruise, and then looking down a few seconds later and seeing it at 50. Thinking I had acidentally brushed the brake, I set it at 55 again and continued on.

Later that day, as my climb through the mountains continued, I entered Flagstaff, AZ. Literally seconds after taking the Flagstaff exit, I began to get a sporadic check engine light that would come on and go off at irregular intervals. I was concerned by this, as my van had NEVER had a check engine light, except at start up as a bulb check.

I found a place to eat, and while I ate, I asked the locals for a place to get codes read for free. They suggested Checker Auto, and told me how to get to it. I finished my sandwich, and drove there, only to be told that they didn't read codes.

The sad part is that I carry a code reader and the manual for it which decribes all the codes and different testing procedures in the van, but the cap on the test port under the hood appears to be stuck on beyond my ability to get it off. (The tester was an inheritance from the trunk of my '87 Mustang 4-cyl.) I had friends back in FL try to get it off with screwdrivers and pliers, no luck. My mech said that since the light was working, and wasn't indicating any codes, not to worry about it. I still wanted to hook the reader up though, as the tester manual said that the system could store some fault codes that in some cases would not set the light..

Had I been aware of the reason for the loss of 5mph speed on the freeway, or been able to read the codes in Flagstaff, I might have been able to avert this disaster. If I had seen some P030X codes, I would have put it into a AAA shop and grabbed a motel room while they diagnosed it. In my Windstar I had some experience with the misfire codes, so I know they can indicate serious problems before they become major. (Though, since the Windstar was OBD-II, it had a better method of indicating a misfire condition: Steadily flashing the MIL once per second. The OBD-I system - Known as EEC-IV to us Fordheads - has no such system, and will set an clear the light each time a misfire is detected, possibly leading to an irregular light..)

In any case, shortly after I left Flagstaff, the light went off and did not come back on again. I attributed the light to the relatively sudden change in altitude, since Flagstaff was pretty high up. I figured the computer was just letting me know that it was adjusting itself, and that if a serious problem existed, it would switch the light on continuously.

While the MIL was doing its flicker dance, I did not notice a change in engine sound or power, even though I turned the radio and vent off to listen more closely to the engine when I saw the lights.

5 minutes before the chain let go, I had pulled over on the roadside to add coolant, which I had forgotten to do at my last fillup. In any case, the temp was normal, and the guage was swinging from N to just between O and R regularly, as expected, but I figured since I remembered it, I'd stop and add coolant before I forgot about it.

When I popped the hood, I noted that the engine was running slightly rough, enough to cause a visible vibration. I attributed this to the mountain driving and altitude changes, and stood there for a few seconds waiting to see if it would stabilize. After about 10 seconds, the RPM's went up very slightly and it steadied out. I shut it down and topped off the coolant. Got back on the road, and hit a nasty snarl of traffic when my phone rang, so I pulled off to take the call. When I finished that call and pulled back onto the road, that's when the chain snapped.

Jesus H Christ.. I had the warning signs right in front of me, but didn't know what they meant at the time! If I had, my 'child' would not now be heading to the crusher!

At least I now know what the signs mean. I am usually extremely in tune to my vehicles since I'm very detail oriented. If it ever happens again in a Ford of that vintage, I'm pulling over, shutting it down (No matter where I am), doing a qiuck code pull, and if I feel the code requires immiediate service, calling for a tow. A tow charge and labor/parts for a new timing chain is FAR cheaper than an engine rebuild!

 

on a long trip from home, all we want to do is get there, auto problems are the last thing from our mind.
the extended P0xxx codes only extend to OBDII systems after 1995, don't remember what the OBDI systems would throw as a code for incorrect cam/crank positions from sensors?
soon, with manuf. specific OBD advanced systems, the cops will be able to tap into a WiFi wireless connect as we drive by to read our speed and blood alcohol and command our ECM to pull the car over and park it.

you did what you could Klingon, somewhere out there is a shiny new Ford girl just waiting to take you to warp speed.
may the Ford Force be with you.

 

Sorry to hear about the loss of your Aero and cruddy experience with mechanics.

As for the 3.0L vulcan being an interfierence engine, I thought it was not, but I could be wrong. Usually if it is you will actually hear the valves smack on the pistions when the chain goes.

As for a replacement, I seem to see alot of low millage GSA Aerostars in Florida on e-bay. Worth checking out?

If you need any help, we are here for you.

 

Well if you turned over the engine after the timing went and you didn't hear all hell break loose...........then it would of been fine to replace the chain.

I would of just replaced/fixed the timing and drove it back home.
They told me that another engine was shot because when the belt goes it takes the engine out.
I replaced the timing belt and it worked great. Been 4 years now.

Jay

 

Because most mechanics are lazy people and want to do as little as possible and if that means convincing you out of them having to spend a few hours of work so be it. They like sticking to easy things like brake pad replacment and belt replacment. I know a couple who have admitted this to me.

I remember when my Aeros tranny went out under warranty I went to one Ford dealer that wanted me to wait a week.

The tranny with less then 5k miles on it wouldn't engage in reverse and would occasionally slip out of drive sure I can wait a week if the tranny slips out I can push it .

To make a long story short after some complaining I got Ford to send me the tranny and I replaced it in about 4 hours 2 to get the old one off and 2 to put the refurbed one in. Vans almost at 50k and everythings been smooth so far and I haven't gone to a mechanic except for wheel alignments since.

 

The 3.0 is indeed a non-interference engine. So you would have been fine just replacing the chain. Sorry to hear about your loss.

 

I know what it feels like, I busted the chain of my trusty 1979 Buick when I moved to Switzerland. Had it transported to my new home by the automobile club. The car has been sitting here in the garage and finally I realized I won't have the time to repair it. So I sold it via Ebay.
I agree with Copper about getting an old car again. I know the history of my star because it only had 20K mls on the clock when I bought her. If she goes, I will get a new van (not a Windstar). I hope this won't happen very soon, there is nothing adequate on the market to replace the Aerostar.

 

remember, "Bring "em back alive." that is the challenge.

Some time ago I posted "Bring 'em home alive", the story of my fuel pump bypass to render an immobile object driveable. This incident happened in a part of Sedona, Az, miles from nowhere except a relatively remote area with multi-million dollar homes. There was a wait of about two hours before initial rescue. Without exception every, Porche, Mercedes, Land Rover, Cadillac, Lexus an other expensive cars filled with very nicely dressed people stopped and asked to help. All offered water, one lady gave us a canteloupe. It was an interesting experience that shows that being an a** hole has nothing to do with money. Bear in mind, I was driving a muddy 14 year old aero and I was also muddy from my undercar experiences. The people that didn't stop were in old beat up Nissans.

It was an interesting exerience. Niceness and socioeconomic status are unrelated.

Ken

 

That is true, but in my experience, niceness and population density are inversely related.

 

Maybe you are right, it seems to be true for rats in cages.

Ken