Just picked up a 4.0l Aerostar with 5r44e

[parashootist]

Just got home from picking up a '97 Aerostar XLT 4.0L AWD with the 5r44e.

The van was listed as having a rough idle and the seller said it likely needed a fuel pump, had low cylinder pressure (I think he meant compression) or something else.

Despite having sat for a year or so it fired right up and sounded okay. When put into drive the vehicle felt like it was vibrating/shuddering. I took it for a spiny around the block and it seemed to run fine. Horrible rattle from a heat shield or something underneath and then what I suspect is a transmission issue versus what the seller felt it was. I suppose there could be multiple issues.

What should I start with? I picked up a couple jugs of Maxlife on the way home. I'm thinking I'll order a filter and drop the pan. The fluid on the dipstick didn't look red.

Thanks! (I do also have a Ranger in the driveway)

 

[SenorNoob]

I'd start with a code reader. Fluid changes on a new to you vehicle are always a good idea.

 

[Blmpkn]

Man.. I feel like I haven't seen an aerostar in at least a decade. Hell.. probably closer to 2 decades.

Easily one of the top 3 minivans we got here.. along with the astro and the toyota town ace..

I think the yota takes the top spot.. mid engine and supercharged.. hell yeah

 

[parashootist]

I'd start with a code reader. Fluid changes on a new to you vehicle are always a good idea.

Reading codes is probably a good idea. I planned to bring my reader but totally forgot. I'll hook it up today. Mine is fairly basic though so I may need to borrow a better one.

Man.. I feel like I haven't seen an aerostar in at least a decade. Hell.. probably closer to 2 decades.

Easily one of the top 3 minivans we got here.. along with the astro and the toyota town ace..

I think the yota takes the top spot.. mid engine and supercharged.. hell yeah

I still see them occasionally out here in Idaho but when I lived in Philly they had all rotted away a decade ago.

Agreed that the Previa is top dawg but for some bizarre reason, I've wanted an Aerostar.

This one was up for sale cheap, looked pretty decent, and then the seller talked himself down to basically scrap value during negotiations. It's pretty low risk although my hope is to have it trip ready by the end of the month. I'd like to take it to an event about 250 miles away to sleep in it for a week.

 

[slater50]

diagnose it, not come on the internet & ask us what you should start with..
Theres only one way to drag it, thats, correctly....

 

[parashootist]

diagnose it, not come on the internet & ask us what you should start with..
Theres only one way to drag it, thats, correctly....

I came here to get help in diagnosing the issue. Maybe someone else has had the same symptoms and has already resolved the issue.

I will start working on it and report back with what I find.

 

[slater50]

generally especially on the old stuff, fuel pumps either work or they dont but you can check fuel pressure, wouldnt hurt....
4.0 heads crack between the valve seat.
cylinder #3 on passenger side
cylinder #4 on driver side
You will sometimes see white stains at those exhaust manifold ports if you look from underneath..'
Ive replaced thousands of 4.0 heads back in the day....

Not saying thats what you have, as I stated, could be anything....

 

[parashootist]

generally especially on the old stuff, fuel pumps either work or they dont but you can check fuel pressure, wouldnt hurt....
4.0 heads crack between the valve seat.
cylinder #3 on passenger side
cylinder #4 on driver side
You will sometimes see white stains at those exhaust manifold ports if you look from underneath..'
Ive replaced thousands of 4.0 heads back in the day....

Not saying thats what you have, as I stated, could be anything....

I'm thinking I have a transmission issue but I really haven't dug into it at all. I took it around the block and then made the guy an offer. He countered with a lower offer and I ended up getting it very cheap. I then drove it home 60 miles.

Any time I'd come to a stoplight it would start feeling like it was struggling unless I put it in neutral, then it smoothed out. To me that makes it seem like something transmission related.

If it ends up needing major work, I'll have to decide if it's worth it or not. Ultimately an Aerostar isn't a very valuable vehicle

 

[parashootist]

I hooked up my scanner this morning and got the following codes:
P1443 - confirmed (Evap Emmission Control Valve Malfunction)
I did notice a bit of a fuel or exhaust smell in the van during the drive home.
P0171 - confirmed (System Too Lean - Bank 1)
P1130 - Pending
P1131 - Pending
Note: the check engine light is not illuminated.

I also gave it a quick wash, changed the oil/filter, checked the condition of the air filter, and cleaned the MAF. Planning to clean the IAC next.

So far I've ordered spark plugs (Autolite APP105) and a fuel filter.

While I had the scanner hooked up I checked out the RPM at idle (around 900-940) and then the idle when shifted into gear (around 600). It runs very different while stopped and in drive or reverse. Quite a bit of vibration/shaking and it seems like it's close to stalling.


Anyway, that's my diagnosing so far. If anyone has any insights, It would be appreciated. Planning to order spark plug wires, transmission filter, and maybe a Valve body gasket kit or the transgo shift kit. I tried buying trans fluid yesterday but Walmart only had 4 quarts of Mercon V and I wasn't sure how the 5r44e liked Castrol Transmax or Valvoline Maxlife.

 

[superj]

a guy a few streets over has two old aerostars like that in his yard. they both seem to be long beds and look ok. i always think i should ask what he is going to do with them since they haven't moved in a few years but i still have an old bmw in the garage that currently won't start so i need to fix that first