Just got another Aerostar
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,901
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Just got another Aerostar
Well, I just bought a 1994 4.0L AWD extended Aerostar. 120,000 miles and only one previous owner. I will try to get pictures. This is my first 4L. It is in excellent condition overall. Does show signs that it was used by someone who had kids, but the body is in great shape, and I'm not going to be using it as a passenger van. As far as the engine goes, looks like it was well taken care of. The PS hasn't been changed in a while, only fluid I found that was not good was the PS fluid, shows signs of moisture contamination. Will need to get that thoroughly flushed out. Any ideas as to how to prevent this problem from recurring? Everything else was good. Shifting is smooth but firm. I have some ideas already as far as what to do initially, but any recommendations as to the near future maintenance that this engine should receive? The plugs and wires appeared to be in very good condition, and the response was great, no memory codes either. Anyway, any advise as far as this goes in appreciated.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,014
Likes: 207
From: SoCal
Does a 94 model have that cowl drainage hose hanging directly over the PS pump? If so, I would move it away to help prevent getting water into the pump.
On one of the cars I got used, I changed the oil that came in the engine, and it looked reasonable. But when I replaced the pan gasket, I had to drop the pan. I was aghast to see a layer of sludge on the bottom of the pan. I cleaned it up of course. But there were no other signs that the engine had such poor maintenace; there was no oil burning, no steam from the PCV valve or oil fill tube, and the thermostat was functioning. But this is something you won't find from just looking at the dipstick.
By the way, how much did this van cost?
On one of the cars I got used, I changed the oil that came in the engine, and it looked reasonable. But when I replaced the pan gasket, I had to drop the pan. I was aghast to see a layer of sludge on the bottom of the pan. I cleaned it up of course. But there were no other signs that the engine had such poor maintenace; there was no oil burning, no steam from the PCV valve or oil fill tube, and the thermostat was functioning. But this is something you won't find from just looking at the dipstick.
By the way, how much did this van cost?
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
congrads Khanty on Aero purchase
gonna love that AWD if your in snow/ice country and first experience with AWD van...weight distribution makes these go until the body drags....will push 2 feet in powder snow
kick in the butt when the AWD lock up kicks in and the nose heavy diesel 4wdrs are stuck to their keister on the front thru the ice mud...my total GVW empty is less than many of these weigh on the front end alone.....
1st order of business
4.0L====cooling system...cooling system....cooling system
revere flush engine and radiator...new thermostat....new hoses...new cap
one episode of overheating in a 4L OHV and heads are DEAD...by the time temp idiot gauge and steam rises===too late
mine pulled another vacation....over 8000 lbs GCVW with van weighed over 5000....even did some soft sand driving in AWD...cool, fun and no problemo even in 80d + temps at 65 mph+
gonna love that AWD if your in snow/ice country and first experience with AWD van...weight distribution makes these go until the body drags....will push 2 feet in powder snow
kick in the butt when the AWD lock up kicks in and the nose heavy diesel 4wdrs are stuck to their keister on the front thru the ice mud...my total GVW empty is less than many of these weigh on the front end alone.....
1st order of business
4.0L====cooling system...cooling system....cooling system
revere flush engine and radiator...new thermostat....new hoses...new cap
one episode of overheating in a 4L OHV and heads are DEAD...by the time temp idiot gauge and steam rises===too late
mine pulled another vacation....over 8000 lbs GCVW with van weighed over 5000....even did some soft sand driving in AWD...cool, fun and no problemo even in 80d + temps at 65 mph+
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,242
Likes: 0
From: Kiev, Ukraine
I use special made in Syberia for nothern areas of Russia off-road winter tires with aggresive thread and with creepers.... In combination with limited slip diff and showel she crosses snow fields with 2 wd! But tires are noisy!
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Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Originally Posted by xlt4wd90
Does a 94 model have that cowl drainage hose hanging directly over the PS pump? If so, I would move it away to help prevent getting water into the pump.
On one of the cars I got used, I changed the oil that came in the engine, and it looked reasonable. But when I replaced the pan gasket, I had to drop the pan. I was aghast to see a layer of sludge on the bottom of the pan. I cleaned it up of course. But there were no other signs that the engine had such poor maintenace; there was no oil burning, no steam from the PCV valve or oil fill tube, and the thermostat was functioning. But this is something you won't find from just looking at the dipstick.
By the way, how much did this van cost?
On one of the cars I got used, I changed the oil that came in the engine, and it looked reasonable. But when I replaced the pan gasket, I had to drop the pan. I was aghast to see a layer of sludge on the bottom of the pan. I cleaned it up of course. But there were no other signs that the engine had such poor maintenace; there was no oil burning, no steam from the PCV valve or oil fill tube, and the thermostat was functioning. But this is something you won't find from just looking at the dipstick.
By the way, how much did this van cost?
Last edited by khantyranitar; Oct 3, 2006 at 09:35 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Dear Khanty,
PS contamination comes from crappy cap and body water pouring in.. Perm fix is a good flush and half a beer can that fits nicely over fill port of ps pump. Paint can black for aesthetics.
Ken
PS contamination comes from crappy cap and body water pouring in.. Perm fix is a good flush and half a beer can that fits nicely over fill port of ps pump. Paint can black for aesthetics.
Ken
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
Originally Posted by ken1mod
Dear Khanty,
PS contamination comes from crappy cap and body water pouring in.. Perm fix is a good flush and half a beer can that fits nicely over fill port of ps pump. Paint can black for aesthetics.
Ken
PS contamination comes from crappy cap and body water pouring in.. Perm fix is a good flush and half a beer can that fits nicely over fill port of ps pump. Paint can black for aesthetics.
Ken
Khan:
1900 is a good price for that van. I paid $3500 for my '95 AWD about 2 years ago at 73,000 miles.
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Elder User
Joined: Aug 2005
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Soda is not in keeping with the spirit of aerostar ownership and dulls pain from tearing can apart. Seriously, the can absolutely ends the problem.
It is interesting that my aero had the ps contamination thing go on for over a year with milky fluid, lots of water. funny thing is it never caused damage.
can over fill cap completely ends problem, I suppose you could also replace rubber tube that falls off to cause problem, probably doing both is the correct thing.
Ken *%#@ hic
It is interesting that my aero had the ps contamination thing go on for over a year with milky fluid, lots of water. funny thing is it never caused damage.
can over fill cap completely ends problem, I suppose you could also replace rubber tube that falls off to cause problem, probably doing both is the correct thing.
Ken *%#@ hic
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
Ken must drink lots of different brands of beer wherever he travels....i see his cans on lots of 4wdr Fords in mudholing and logging road racing events on Ford power steering caps
Aero on a Mercedes lot.....now that's a slide down into the slum neigborhood
Mercedes hasn't build a decent car since the Gullwing or the 300D diesel
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Oct 3, 2006 at 01:33 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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I'd love to find a 1997 for about $2K in perfect shape - woundn't we all? - but a 94 for that was a good deal.... I've been tossing back and forth on restoring my 89... needs almost every rocker repaired, and the lower part of the drivers side door...
RE: Beer can is a must - esp if you ever tuned one up - you'll want a beer afterwards :-)
RE: Beer can is a must - esp if you ever tuned one up - you'll want a beer afterwards :-)