97 aerostar issues
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New User
Joined: Feb 2010
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97 aerostar issues
wanting to buy ford aerostar its a 97 4.0 v6 4x4. the problem is it starts and idles but anything else it stalls. autozone guy said it was the coil plug and wires need replaced. does this sound right and if so how hard is it to do this on this van. desperate for help i am somewhat rushed to get a cheap car and get it running and am on very tight budget
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
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From: Washington state
straight talk
do you also buy stocks recommended by the autozone guy?
this is a counter parts salesman on commission. if he told you he didn't know what parts to put in it, would you ever go back there to buy parts again.
get a vehicle diaganosed by a qualified mechanic, many on here
buy parts from a parts salesman.
what mechanical car engine service education, training and experience does he profess to have.
first, get the codes read at autozone or other parts store, most read codes for free.
there are not quick easy 5 minutes fixes on the complex electronic vehicles with fuel injection and computer powertrain control
may be anything from plugged air filter to worn out burned valves or worse.
Aero engines and engine electronics are some of the most difficult to access
if your looking for a running cheap car, look at cheap running cars.
do you also buy stocks recommended by the autozone guy?
this is a counter parts salesman on commission. if he told you he didn't know what parts to put in it, would you ever go back there to buy parts again.
get a vehicle diaganosed by a qualified mechanic, many on here
buy parts from a parts salesman.
what mechanical car engine service education, training and experience does he profess to have.
first, get the codes read at autozone or other parts store, most read codes for free.
there are not quick easy 5 minutes fixes on the complex electronic vehicles with fuel injection and computer powertrain control
may be anything from plugged air filter to worn out burned valves or worse.
Aero engines and engine electronics are some of the most difficult to access
if your looking for a running cheap car, look at cheap running cars.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
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I do agree, leave the Aerostars to someone who can benefit from the heavy build of the Aerostar. You should go for a Windstar or Caravan if you want a cheap ride. The Aerostar and most minivans for that matter are time consuming and expensive to work on. I think you need to take a step back and ask what your real requirements are. Aerostars are not right for everyone. Depending on how many people and how much stuff you need to haul, a smaller vehicle would probably be a better bet. You should aim more for an Explorer. A Taurus wagon would be an ok choice too. It just depends on how big you need the vehicle to be.
My brother just had a couple valves go south on his '97. This is not a common problem, but when anything major happens, it will cost major bucks to fix. He was quoted at 11.5 hours to complete the work, at a grand total of $2300. This same work on a Ranger would be almost half that. The problem is access, or lack thereof.
My brother just had a couple valves go south on his '97. This is not a common problem, but when anything major happens, it will cost major bucks to fix. He was quoted at 11.5 hours to complete the work, at a grand total of $2300. This same work on a Ranger would be almost half that. The problem is access, or lack thereof.
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Joined: May 2003
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I'll echo all of the above comments...all true. If you're not doing it yourself or have someone who knows a thing or two or someone who'll give you a good shop rate, these aren't the most ideal vehicles to use.
If you want a car just to have as a cheap running car, get a "bellybutton" car as my mechanic says - like a Chevy Cavalier, or the like....Bellybutton as in - "everyone has one. Any car that is ubiquitous on the street." Parts will be cheap and plenty then.
I tow a tent trailer and so I put up with higher parts costs, because the buy-in was low. I feel better towing in a RWD vehicle and occasionally journey to Home Depot where the van is used as a beast of burden.
If you want a car just to have as a cheap running car, get a "bellybutton" car as my mechanic says - like a Chevy Cavalier, or the like....Bellybutton as in - "everyone has one. Any car that is ubiquitous on the street." Parts will be cheap and plenty then.
I tow a tent trailer and so I put up with higher parts costs, because the buy-in was low. I feel better towing in a RWD vehicle and occasionally journey to Home Depot where the van is used as a beast of burden.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
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From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
I'll echo all of the above comments...all true. If you're not doing it yourself or have someone who knows a thing or two or someone who'll give you a good shop rate, these aren't the most ideal vehicles to use.
If you want a car just to have as a cheap running car, get a "bellybutton" car as my mechanic says - like a Chevy Cavalier, or the like....Bellybutton as in - "everyone has one. Any car that is ubiquitous on the street." Parts will be cheap and plenty then.
I tow a tent trailer and so I put up with higher parts costs, because the buy-in was low. I feel better towing in a RWD vehicle and occasionally journey to Home Depot where the van is used as a beast of burden.
If you want a car just to have as a cheap running car, get a "bellybutton" car as my mechanic says - like a Chevy Cavalier, or the like....Bellybutton as in - "everyone has one. Any car that is ubiquitous on the street." Parts will be cheap and plenty then.
I tow a tent trailer and so I put up with higher parts costs, because the buy-in was low. I feel better towing in a RWD vehicle and occasionally journey to Home Depot where the van is used as a beast of burden.
All good points. However there is something about an Aero which is almost magical!
Maybe the fact that it is the most willing & able at what it does & it does it consistently & with comfort, reliability ^ without a groan to be heard !
330,000kms & fuel trims have not even budged by 2%......AND I do believe the power steering pump is getting QUIETER!
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
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There is a place for them, I drive one because I need the size, power, and hauling capacity. They may not rank as tops in reliability, but they will haul heavy loads without complaining. I do much of my own work so labor rates become largely irrelevant. I am also willing to put in money to make certain components more reliable. I haul heavy loads, so I also have an upgraded reinforced transmission. I also know the limitations and how to take care of it.
If you need to haul seven passengers, but don't need to haul bricks or a trailer, other minivans are cheaper to own and are a dime a dozen.
If you need to haul seven passengers, but don't need to haul bricks or a trailer, other minivans are cheaper to own and are a dime a dozen.
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New User
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So we have all commented on how i dont need one. MY first aero was 3.0 and went 307k with out giving me much prob. traded for a windstar top of line just like all mini vans after aerostar and such trans are crap. my taurus wagon is in need of serious body repair due to deer. not letting go it is going to be my project. it has 278k miles. thanks for the help i think i will just buy the danm thing an take my chances. For sure if a bunch of people think i am not able to handle such a vehicle. No there is not another mini can to work as hard, hual what i need. and drudge through the snow the way i need it to. MY old 2wd did the job but i thought the 4x4 would do it better.
Most importantly i am buying it cheap cuz i know the cost a bit to maintain that is why i was asking if this sounded like a simple fix or not. thanks
Most importantly i am buying it cheap cuz i know the cost a bit to maintain that is why i was asking if this sounded like a simple fix or not. thanks
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
now that you've established your reasons and desires to owning a difficult to maintain vehicle, the Aerostar, this is going to be expensive since there is insufficient info to properly troubleshoot over the internet.
NO, the autozone clown's guess is worthless.
any codes?
get a scanner on it to read out the stored parameters from the last freeze frame data on the last fail code.
start by changing the fuel filter, high mileage Aeros often suffer fuel starvation from a plugged filter
NO, the autozone clown's guess is worthless.
any codes?
get a scanner on it to read out the stored parameters from the last freeze frame data on the last fail code.
start by changing the fuel filter, high mileage Aeros often suffer fuel starvation from a plugged filter
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener,Ontario,Canada
So ;......likely fuel related. If no codes,,,,,,,,Start at replacing the fuel filter & then measure the fuel rail pressure. You may have a restriction in the fuel lines/rails or could have a weak fuel pump or fuel pressure regulator. Check the air intake for a mouse nest or something! A tune up would be a good idea. Plugs, wires, air filter, etc. Get the tranny fluid changed.
