dumb question
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Senior User
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dumb question
I recently purchased a used 97 aerostar and was trying to change the oil today. I found the oil filter, OK. But. can not find the drain plug.
there is a square (about 1/2") on the driver's side rear of engine but it is really tight.
Thought I would try to get some Advice before proceeding. It is a 4.0 engine. Someone please help me identify the oil drain
there is a square (about 1/2") on the driver's side rear of engine but it is really tight.
Thought I would try to get some Advice before proceeding. It is a 4.0 engine. Someone please help me identify the oil drain
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,010
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From: SoCal
The drain plug should be just above one of the cross members near the rear of the cast aluminum oil pan. It is like a bolt with a 1/2" or maybe 13 mm head. One you remove it, the oil will conveniently drip onto the Y-pipe, so the next time you run the engine, it will smoke for a while.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
The drain plug on the 4.0L is not on the rear and on the side of the oil pan as in most cars. It is right on the bottom face, so you have to look straight up at the oil pan to see it.
Welcome to the club
Welcome to the club
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 751
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From: NC
^ I guess previous owners could have replaced drain plugs, but my parent's '95 4.0 needs a 5/8" socket. The oil pan is metal with a network lines/ridges cast into in, and the oil drain plug should be the only drain plug in that area ( or anywhere really.)
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Washington state
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
no question is dumb z1121jack
glad ur caring on the great Aero owner tradition of DIYer.
my Dodge/Cummins dealer wants $200 to change the oil in my new tow machine.
i'll keep the money for myself and do it this weekend.
can't say i love working under the hood of the Aero, but the old girl is so dependable and simple, even i can understand how she works.
sure wish Ford would wise up and start building owner friendly cars again instead of this junke they can't sell, loaded with every gadget and no work miracle
maybe we'll have to wait for the Chinese to fill the US auto industry needs
glad ur caring on the great Aero owner tradition of DIYer.
my Dodge/Cummins dealer wants $200 to change the oil in my new tow machine.
i'll keep the money for myself and do it this weekend.
can't say i love working under the hood of the Aero, but the old girl is so dependable and simple, even i can understand how she works.
sure wish Ford would wise up and start building owner friendly cars again instead of this junke they can't sell, loaded with every gadget and no work miracle
maybe we'll have to wait for the Chinese to fill the US auto industry needs
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 192
Likes: 0
From: Illinois, usa
China???
no question is dumb z1121jack
glad ur caring on the great Aero owner tradition of DIYer.
my Dodge/Cummins dealer wants $200 to change the oil in my new tow machine.
i'll keep the money for myself and do it this weekend.
can't say i love working under the hood of the Aero, but the old girl is so dependable and simple, even i can understand how she works.
sure wish Ford would wise up and start building owner friendly cars again instead of this junke they can't sell, loaded with every gadget and no work miracle
maybe we'll have to wait for the Chinese to fill the US auto industry needs
glad ur caring on the great Aero owner tradition of DIYer.
my Dodge/Cummins dealer wants $200 to change the oil in my new tow machine.
i'll keep the money for myself and do it this weekend.
can't say i love working under the hood of the Aero, but the old girl is so dependable and simple, even i can understand how she works.
sure wish Ford would wise up and start building owner friendly cars again instead of this junke they can't sell, loaded with every gadget and no work miracle
maybe we'll have to wait for the Chinese to fill the US auto industry needs
so thay get the cash needed to upgrade their processes...
I still think US autos/trucks are light years ahead of the imports when it comes time to do some maintenance/repair, I have owned 4 japanese rides,
and was glad to get rid of each one..conversely, all my US machines were treasured to the end, and that has always been over 100k on the odometer.
I am patiently waiting for the fiesta, my first new car in years!
If they offer a diesel, i will waiting at the door, but that prob. will not happen, due to the EPA. But the cummins engine is the best, no prechamber so it sounds fantastic. They should make a 1.5l and sell to the big 3. Second place goes to the germans. In close 3rd is international (powerstroke)
And then we have duramax, GM sourced by ISUZU. They don't sell diesels in thier own country, the prime minister does not like the smell, so he told them not to produce anything for local consumption. Send it to the US, they will buy anything (and that brings us back to the china issue!)
I will pay more to support my nieghbors' jobs, and thus my own...
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,818
Likes: 3
I recently purchased a used 97 aerostar and was trying to change the oil today. I found the oil filter, OK. But. can not find the drain plug.
there is a square (about 1/2") on the driver's side rear of engine but it is really tight.
Thought I would try to get some Advice before proceeding. It is a 4.0 engine. Someone please help me identify the oil drain
there is a square (about 1/2") on the driver's side rear of engine but it is really tight.
Thought I would try to get some Advice before proceeding. It is a 4.0 engine. Someone please help me identify the oil drain
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
lots of newer rigs out there dribbling oil from their aluminum pans due to cross threading and over tightening of drain plugs.
expensive repair job requiring oil pan pull to repair properly without metal cuttings inside.
when you hear an air impact wrench in the oil pit at Quickies, you know it's time to leave the line pronto. got the kid down in the hole on the quota system
main reason i quite going to Quickie Rip Off and Oil Drip Henry's
expensive repair job requiring oil pan pull to repair properly without metal cuttings inside.
when you hear an air impact wrench in the oil pit at Quickies, you know it's time to leave the line pronto. got the kid down in the hole on the quota system
main reason i quite going to Quickie Rip Off and Oil Drip Henry's
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,010
Likes: 203
From: SoCal
The drain plug on my oil pan had an O-ring that did a pretty good job of sealing it. So it was only necessary to tighten it just enough to prevent the bolt from loosening by itself.
Of course, the oil pan was leaking from at least 3 other places, so sometimes it was hard to tell whether the plug itself was leaking or not.
Of course, the oil pan was leaking from at least 3 other places, so sometimes it was hard to tell whether the plug itself was leaking or not.
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