Wind noise from the passenger's side door.

[DarylJ]

So I'm driving down the road with the "new" Aerostar and the wind picks up. There is a "chuff" sound whenever driving into a bigger gust. Although I'm not able to sit on the passenger side when driving, it seems like it's coming from the front corner next to the side mirror. Anybody else here have the same experience with wind noise? I can't say that it's the top half of the door being sucked outward, or more likely the larger volume/velocity of air being forced between the inside edge of the mirror and the door itself. Kind of like a little wind tunnel right there. Is this something I just have to get used to, or is there a problem that can be fixed?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Check the rubber gasket around the door frame.

 

[DarylJ]

I checked it and it seems fine....

 

[Josh P]

I agree with brooklyn bay, most likely the gasket is worn and compressed enough that the air noise is coming from between the door and body. Is the door slightly bent? Is the plastic sleeve on the latch post in good shape? if not the door won't be tight.

 

[swshawaii]

Found in a Ford Workshop Manual for Explorers. Don't see why it wouldn't work for Aerostars. GL

Place an index card or a piece of paper between the weatherstrip and the sealing surface, then close the door. Slowly withdraw the index card or paper after the door is closed and check the amount of pressure on the weatherstrip. There should be a medium amount of resistance as it is withdrawn. Continue around the entire seal area. If there is little or no resistance, this indicates insufficient contact to form a good seal. At these points, the door, the glass or the weatherstrip is out of alignment.

 

[don-ohio]

Door may be out of adjustment also. Take a look at it very closely and see if the door lines up with the front fender and the top of the car and the rest of the body.
Not likely it's a bad(loose) hinge pin,but could be.
It's probably just the gasket like was said above. don-ohio

 

[DarylJ]

Thanks. Those are good suggestions. My visual inspection, which seemed to verify all was okay, isn't as good as an actual measurement. The gasket isn't loose or separating from its adhesive, but it sure could be compressed and somewhat hardened, which I'm sure could be a problem with noise and whistling. I will try sliding the card in and pulling it out at several locations. The noise seems to be coming from the front edge, as I mentioned above, but maybe the car ventriloquist is at work again and the sound is originating from a different location along the door.