1987 Ford Aerostar Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 1987 Ford Aerostar lists two engines, the 3.0L OHV V6 and the 2.3L SOHC inline-four, both naturally aspirated and gasoline-fueled. Body coverage takes in the two-door mini passenger van and the two-door mini cargo van, and the three trims are Base, XL and XLT. Whether the van in the bay is a bare cargo unit or an XLT passenger model, the procedures, specifications, torque values, wiring diagrams and diagnostics are the same reference, organized by system rather than by trim.

Engines covered

• 3.0L V6 (182 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 2.3L inline-four (140 cu in) — SOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 2-door mini passenger van
• 2-door mini cargo van

Trims covered

• Base
• XL
• XLT

Known issues on the 1987 Aerostar. Five recalls are on federal record. One is an aftermarket-part campaign for brake rotors with cracked castings that could cause a loss of braking; the others include liftgate gas cylinder ball studs that can fracture and let the liftgate drop, and a missing plastic cover on the front passenger seat back hinge that could abrade or cut the belt webbing. Owners have filed 131 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system, engine and engine cooling, and seat belts. The wiring diagrams, engine diagnostics and restraint procedures in this manual cover the systems behind those reports.