[Today’s run: 4.08 miles (some walking) in Starkville]
After running this morning I came home and got some breakfast and a shower.
Then I did some work on the Aerostar. I had purchased a set of spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap and rotor. Today I was able to install the new spark plugs on the driver’s side of the V6 engine along with new wires. I also installed the new cap and rotor. One of the plugs seemed to be kind of loose in the block, and all three of them were old and rusty. The cap and rotor were very worn. So if this had ever been done before, it was a long time ago.
Getting to the spark plugs was a challenge. The front plugs were not too bad but the rear one was a difficult; I had to use a 3/4″ deep socket to turn the spark plug socket. It worked!
The passenger side plugs are blocked in the front by the alternator. I don’t know if I can get to them from below. I may try to work on that tomorrow if it is dry.
After doing the work I started the engine and it did run (which means I didn’t goof up the position of the plug wires on the new distributor cap). But it was not any easier to start than it had been. So I think there are other issues, most likely is that one of the air intake sensors has gone bad. My impression is that the “choke” is turning off earlier than it should. Once the engine has run a bit it starts up quickly and keeps running.
I did not take it for a drive, so I don’t know if spark plug work has had any effect on the poor shifting.
A lot of Ford vehicles from this era have a problem in the speedometer which can cause the odometer to go blank and shift very poorly. I don’t know if that is possible with an Aerostar. And my odometer is working ok. But I’ve been wondering about that. The issue is that electrolytic capacitors get leaky and can eat up the traces on the board.
It seems like almost any electronic device made from ~1995-2000 can have leaky capacitor issues.
After that work, I cleaned up a bit and we drove down to #1 Son’s place. We had acquired some new sofa furniture and we took our old one down to him. His dogs are hard on sofas. While we were there he made us a shrimp/crawfish boil for lunch. It was very tasty.
We arrived back home as the sun set.