1992 ford aerostar
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FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: North Central Rural Sask.
1992 ford aerostar
My buddy has a areostar and the timing chain cover gasket is shot. Anyone replace one of these before, and if so, how much of a pain in the *** was it? Any info appreciated as I have never worked on a minivan before!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
1/2 day and a case of Aero beer for two guys.
4L requires pulling back tranny and dropping pan...
A/C makes it a little harder...hang compressor of to side with rope...make sure he has a good puller to remove crank pulley/vib. damper....
put a rag in hole into pan to prevent small tools and parts from disappearing
clean block seal area and cover seal area well with scraper...be sure to put in new front crank seal while off...
also have a new cam chain and gear set on hand with follower and guide in case old one is worn...
use a thick sticky gasket sealer on block seal surface...when somewhat set up, put gasket on sticky surface and rub smooth....cover outer surface of gasket with gasket goop....put cover on and tighten bolts from top down....take up in 2 stages of tightening....do NOT overtighten...torque wrench only on last tightening..15 ft lbs
check water pump for smooth bearing and no signs of seal leak...check thermo. fan clutch for smoothness and some resistance...
always change oil after front cover removal...pieces of old gasket, crank case goop and other nasties fall into oil
4L requires pulling back tranny and dropping pan...
A/C makes it a little harder...hang compressor of to side with rope...make sure he has a good puller to remove crank pulley/vib. damper....
put a rag in hole into pan to prevent small tools and parts from disappearing
clean block seal area and cover seal area well with scraper...be sure to put in new front crank seal while off...
also have a new cam chain and gear set on hand with follower and guide in case old one is worn...
use a thick sticky gasket sealer on block seal surface...when somewhat set up, put gasket on sticky surface and rub smooth....cover outer surface of gasket with gasket goop....put cover on and tighten bolts from top down....take up in 2 stages of tightening....do NOT overtighten...torque wrench only on last tightening..15 ft lbs
check water pump for smooth bearing and no signs of seal leak...check thermo. fan clutch for smoothness and some resistance...
always change oil after front cover removal...pieces of old gasket, crank case goop and other nasties fall into oil
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Nov 30, 2005 at 04:05 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Pablo,
do they make Aero Vodka in Ukraine or CIS?
good for these cold days and working outside on the van plus can clean parts with it.
do they make Aero Vodka in Ukraine or CIS?
good for these cold days and working outside on the van plus can clean parts with it.
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I had the timing cover leak too, top left side, looked like the manufacturer never tightened that bolt. Mechanic wanted 1400 to do the job, said 98&^5$#@&^%*&^ and repaired myself. there was just a 1/8 " gap in gasket, pulled vacuum on crankcase with ref vac pump, sucked silicone into gap, allowed to cure, tightened bolt and poured jb weld on repair, damming it into a puddle. that was 15000 Arizona miles ago.
Ken
Ken
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Wichita
Depending on the mileage, I'd consider installing a new timing set while the cover is off. If there is a lot of slop in the chain - do it. Your Aero will reward you with better performance. A stretched chain retards your timing.
Don't forget the crankshaft seal. It probably comes with a timing cover gasket set, along with water pump gasket, etc. Check for wear on the crank where the seal rides on the shaft. If there is a groove, they make sleeves that slip over the crank that give you a smooth riding surface again.
Heck, I'd replace the water pump too while it's off. it's cheap enough. You don't want to have to go back in again someday. Check everything that you pull off. e.g. the fan clutch, hoses, belts etc
Just take your time. Clean, smooth gasket surfaces are a must. Use gasket sealer. Again, you don't want to discover a leak after it's all back together.
Don't forget the crankshaft seal. It probably comes with a timing cover gasket set, along with water pump gasket, etc. Check for wear on the crank where the seal rides on the shaft. If there is a groove, they make sleeves that slip over the crank that give you a smooth riding surface again.
Heck, I'd replace the water pump too while it's off. it's cheap enough. You don't want to have to go back in again someday. Check everything that you pull off. e.g. the fan clutch, hoses, belts etc
Just take your time. Clean, smooth gasket surfaces are a must. Use gasket sealer. Again, you don't want to discover a leak after it's all back together.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 882
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From: Wichita
Originally Posted by ken1mod
Yes, in fairness, the mechanic was going to replace all those parts, but that was 15000 miles ago. What is the cam chain tensioner like on the 4.0?
Ken
Ken