I just inherited an 89 aerostar 3.0 automatic with 50,000 original miles on it from the original owner, an older gentleman who only drove during the summer months. Didn't like driving in the Canadian winters. The van is in excellent condition inside and out. Has a leaking valve cover gasket, cracked and leaking front brake hoses, and needs tires. Looking under the hood it seems as if this van could be a pain to work on. I've also heard that they are prone to transmission problems. Is this van worth keeping as a second vehicle or should I sell it to save myself future aggravations? I've always done most of my own repairs and maintainance on my vehicles but I've never owned an aerostar. I would value the opinions of the people on this forum over non aerostar owners who tell me these vans are more trouble than they are worth. Thank you in advance.

 

Hi Jerroukt:

Welcome to our FTE forum

The valve cover gasket should be pretty easy to do. If it's not leaking in any other places, you shouldn't have much to worry about.

 

thanks for joining our group, Jerroukt

Priority, change front brake lines before driving....pull off front and rear tires and examine brakes

take your new Aero on a couple trips and see how its driving style and feel fits you. let that be your deciding reason to keep the rig.

the Aero is a very reliable low maintenance rig to drive and own. you have the easiest least problem engine of options, the 3L. one tough little ripper.

copper has you covered on the valve cover. after driving and deciding whether you are going to keep it, do the following maint. items for long life
1. change engine oil if you don't have maint. history
2. do a filter change and gentle flush of auto tranny, search Aero forum for directions
3. change PCV valve, air cleaner and do cooling system flush with thermostat change.
4. pull engine codes from ECU and post if any to forum...do KOEO and KOER codes
many on forum have 200,000 miles plus without major problems just by doing the maintenace.

enjoy your Aero and please tell us about it

 

If you decide to keep it, install rear anti-sway bar. It gets the wag out!

 

I realize that these are minor repairs, not a problem. I'm wondering if an aero will be as reliable as my F-150 has been over the years or if it will nickel and dime me to death. Also, even minor repairs and maintainance seem like they may be a headache with the way the engine is shoe-horned in. How do I pull the ECU codes? I'm enjoying reading this forum, lots of great info. You guys seem to really know your stuff. Thanks.

 

I hear what you are saying jerroukt. The Aero is not a fun vehicle to work on. Just changing plugs is a PITA.
Fortunately, they are very reliable. I am still running on everything original on my '93 4.0 except normal consumables like tires, brakes and plugs. I changed a fan clutch once. Even the water pump is original.

 

If this thing has 50k original, you should (with normal maintenance) be good for another 150 to 200k (my 90 had 252k on it when it got hit). These things don't wear out.

Now on the other hand, if it looks like it's too much trouble to work on, I'll gladly make the trip................lol

 

96 is right. If you like the vehicle, keep it. Minor problems are all you mentioned. It is positively evil to work on but then again most vehicles are these days. I like mine.

Ken

 

Most people on this forum will advise you to keep it (look where you are). But understand that like any car, as it gets older, it will need more work, even with the best of maintenance. When something needs to be done on the Aerostar, it will be very high effort, and it will help if you are handy and adventurous. The benefit of this forum is that there is a good chance that somebody here has been there and done that before, and can offer good information on how to deal with your problem.

Even though I have (and am still) put in a lot of work on mine, I am enjoying the experience of taking on tasks that seemed at first to be very intimidating, and getting the confidence of knowing that a number of problems have been properly fixed. In the process, I saved a lot of money. (This may be the key, I'm a cheapskate.) It was certainly a lot cheaper than getting a new vehicle that would provide the same functionality.

 

As far as a history of transmission problems goes, the A4LD transmission is very reliable so long as it is maintained properly. Compared to the transmissions found in most cars and rival minivans, this one is extremely tough and durable. Not many automatics can handle a vehicle as heavy as an Aero and last over 200,000 miles with no more than maintenance. As far a "nickel and Dime"ing you you to death, ralize that new vehicles are just as expensive if not mor eso to keep on the road as old ones. A 15,000 vehicle will be worth half that in 5 or 6 years, and that counts as 7,500 dollars lost in the form of depriciation even if you didn't replace any parts at all. I am speculateing here of coarse, and there are so many factors that play into depreciation. But depreciation is a cost that many people do not take into consideration. as far as functionality, there is no comparable vehicle made for the US market today. The Astro/Safari is not a minivan, and is shorter and is discontinued. The Caravan is not as large, and is FWD, nor is it nearly as relaible. Same with Fords newer offerings. The imports are too small, but if you don't need a large van thats fine, and most of the import minivans are a vast improvement in quality over the US models.

 

Hello Fellow Canuck
If you don't want it I'll take it. I'm will be spending about 4000$ on mine. Owned it since new, but it needed rockers, side panel and the AC rebuilt. Even if you spend 500$ on it, a freebie is worth it.
Dave, Ontario

 

Well, I'll toss in my two cents worth. I just rebuilt my 90's 3.0 engine and rebuilt the transmission to the tune of $5,100. First engine went 249,000 miles and the first transmission 215,000. Wasn't so lucky with second transmission, but that's another story. I still have some other minor things to do (sliding door's stuck shut, but at least it's not stuck open) and other little stuff. Barring any unforeseen catastrophes, I'm planning on another 16 years. And if I want to drive fast, I'll break out the SHO.

 

Hi Shorty,
what happened to second tranny?
did you do rebuilds yourself, independent or Ford shop?
what work was done to engine and tranny?
parts Motorcraft or other?
please start another thread, adds to our high mileage history and experience base
may help someone else decide to rebuild or send to the jaws of death

drove a new Odessey today...too low to the ground....no AWD...kept looking for soccer ***** to kick...maybe I'll kick the salesmans' the next time....
no engine noise, no road noise, no road feel....just a bloated Accord with gas pains
if I wanted a car I would buy a car
would someone in Detroit please build another real mini van on steroids, the AERO

 

SHO=?
TIA,
Fordboy49

 

Like everybody here, I'm biased about the Aero, because I'm on my third. My '91 made it to 225K and simply rusted away. (Word of advice, don't put running boards on an Aero if you live in salt country) My '93 has 230K and is a daily driver, still going strong. My third is a '96 with (only) 150K miles. All are pretty much original with only minor maintenance items needed replaced. Like previous posters have said, change engine and tranny oil regularly and they should last a good long time. Compared to the FWD that the competitors have put out, you have an unbelieveable amount of room in one of these, especially if you own the extended versions like I have. The 3.0 is one tough engine.