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Ford Aerostar

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What is this discussion about? Ford Aerostar, Van

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#62 of 520 Another Aerostar Saga by muzquite Jul 05, 1999 (2:29 pm)
jruszler...Good Luck with the Odyssey! No offense, but I had to chuckle over your "Aerostar saga"...I was just glad to see that someone else has some of my luck! Since we live in Tx, we had to do the AC...2 yrs in a row. After nearly $2100 and an infinite number of trips to shop, we managed to get almost $400 back and finally have an AC that works. First time it was the compressor and condenser and the afternoon we drove it home (after writing a $1300 check) it quit. Seems they couldn't get all those shavings out.... One year and 6 days later the compressor went out again and through perseverance and an attitude we got them to honor the 1 yr warranty. I've also done the fan motor, the radiator and heater hoses that are gold-plated (evidently!), fan, the front end work...etc. I have enjoyed driving the van, but am disappointed in the repair costs and reliability. By the way, ours is a '91 w/88,000 miles; we bought it used from an individual who was flawless with maintenance and records, but that didn't seem to help! Unfortunately, I'll never own another. Not sure what we want now, but reliability will play a BIG part in the decision.
#63 of 520 lucky by carsrus Jul 08, 1999 (2:26 am)
That was quite a bad luck story. You deserve an award for sticking with any vehicle that long with ongoing problems. My experience has been just the opposite. 1993 extended, rear wheel drive, 4.0L engine. The first 75K miles were business, I purchased it for personal use after the lease was up. Currently it has 117,000 miles with no major problems. Had a front brake job at about 90K, flex pipe on the exhaust ($100) about the same time. Still on the original plugs, battery and belts and hoses. I did change the trans fluid every 40K. I tow a 18ft. boat in the summer and two snowmobiles in the winter. I broke the plastic driver's door handle once while forcing it open after an ice/snow storm and the rear hatch mechanism rusted out and had to be replaced. I've been very pleased with the Aerostar and apparently very lucky as well. I have noticed that it is running hotter this summer while towing with the air running than it did last summer. I recently had the cooling system flushed and filled, hopefully that will cure that potential problem.
#64 of 520 silveradodude by silveradodude Jul 18, 1999 (3:30 pm)
HELP!!! Have a 1992 Aerostar van that has over 200,000 miles on it. Have been using it like a truck for the last 2 or 3 years, and still carry kids to all the soccer, basketball, football games etc.  Went to change the water pump (blew out the weep hole diaphragm), and decided to change the belts and hoses too. Problem: The alternator, A/C, fan belt that is recommended by any parts store is at least 4 or 5 inches too long!! This is based on the "proper' routing of the belt in the Haynes manual. If you're familiar with this Aerostar, it shows to have the belt go around the alternator, around THE TOP of the idler pulley (V-grooves down), and around the fan pulley down to the A/C. Using this routing, it will leave at least 3 inches too much belt with the alternator adjusted out as far as it will go. I got a belt 2 inches shorter, routed the belt UNDER the idler pulley (V-grooves up), and promptly fractured my water pump housing all around the shaft. (I suspect from the added stress of belt being wrapped around approximately 250 degrees of the water pump/fan pulley). Well, I've got my new water pump, a belt that is 5 inches shorter, and I'm going to route it as the manual shows. Wish me luck, or ADVICE FREELY ACCEPTED. Notes: Haynes calls for a 64 inch belt.             I used a 62 inch belt to trash my water pump.             I'm using a 59 inch belt now.             62 inch belt episode wouldn't allow the A/C pulley to turn, lot's of slippage. Any and all suggestions appreciated.
#65 of 520 Hope my next car is as good by wyhead Jul 26, 1999 (2:39 am)
My '90 Aerostar has 130,000+ miles and though I've had a few problems, nothing too bad. I'd heard the transmission would break, but not so far! My Ford dealership, on the other hand, has gone downhill in the past 10 years as it changed ownership; the current crooks told me the fact that my A/C (which they'd fixed) wasn't cooling so well was because I needed a new engine! That was 50,000 miles ago, thank you, and the engine runs fine! I've started test driving new minivans and SUVs, but none drive as smooth as my Aerostar, with its truck chassis! (except maybe the Sienna). After all the horror stories I've read on these boards about the new American vans/SUVs, I realize I've been lucky!
#66 of 520 pc moose by pmcmahon Aug 21, 1999 (2:23 am)
My 93 Aerostar just passed 200,000 miles. Very low maintenance costs to date. Small problem with loose ignition, but . . . I hope the next one does as well.
#67 of 520 Dodge Grand Caravan vs. Windstar by feefee Aug 22, 1999 (2:32 am)
We are looking for some help in deciding whether to purchase a Caravan or Windstar. We like the cargo area of the Caravan better, but are hearing that the Windstar is more reliable and has a better safety rating. Can anyone give us information to help with the decision?
#68 of 520 '93 Ford Aerostar Ext. 3.0 by mtschwartz Oct 26, 1999 (2:22 pm)
I bought this van when it had 75,000 miles on it. After reading alot of the responses on here you'll think it was a bad move. I must say that after 4 years my wife and I couldn't be happier with an auto purchase. We traded a Honda Accord that I bought new the year before because of a new baby. We outgrew it in 6 months. My van has had trouble with the A/C. Not really a suprise after reading on this site. I've replaced the condenser one year and then the next had to replace both the compressor and dryer. I did a R134a conversion then and have had good service from the A/C since. I Reccomend making sure your servicer replace all the expansion valves. I do most of my own work and I could believe how much metal had accumulated in the screen. No wonder I had compressor problems. The transmission shifts a little harder than I'd like but at 130,000 miles it still does better than most other minivans. I had to replace the thermostat because it broke full open all the time. The van would never heat up. Hoses and belts replaced and some gunk built up in the rear heating lines that was a little tough to get out. Overall, for the value and space, this van has been great. I've towed a 2000 lb camper up some pretty big hills (get the tranny cooler) with no trouble. I hauled an old piano 350 miles with plenty of room and power to spare. I could go on and on how great this van has been. I've got a front end vibration that I suspect is the tie rods. Not too bad at 130,000. I've also got a high-rpm noise that I think is in the torque converter. (that tranny can't last forever) Overall, I'm at the empass of do I replace it or replace the engine and transmission. They are broke, but will probably wear out in the next 50,000 miles. I'm looking at a full size Ford conversion van with a 5.4 V8. If any of you have experience with that engine I'd love to hear it.
#69 of 520 96 Ford Aerostar cooling problems by walterchan Nov 28, 1999 (4:29 pm)
We own a 96 Ford Aerostar and this is the first time we have a major problem with this vehicle. In 11-26-99 we have 3 different types of cooling problems. 1. Thermostat needs to be replaced. 2. AC failure sometimes. 3. The car starting to shake when we start the car. That's all. It needs to be tow to a repair shop. It only have 54,000 miles in it. Anybody has that kind of problem like I have.
#70 of 520 Extended 96' Aerostar with AWD by elkhorn Dec 03, 1999 (1:01 am)
I'm considering purchasing this vehicle but I'd like to get a little information from some of you in the know. Does the 96' Aerostar have a more reliable transmission then previous year models and would this years models have a better air-conditioning system or the newer enviormently friendly refrigerant?
#71 of 520 fuel gauge problem by merlebert Dec 13, 1999 (6:32 pm)
A couple of you have mentioned problems with your fuel gauge. The one in my '89 quit several months ago-- stuck on "empty." Anyone had experience with diagnosing / repairing this problem? It is likely to be the gauge itself, the wiring, or the sender unit? Or, is it that the float in the sender unit may have developed a leak and has sunk to the bottom of the fuel tank?

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