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mystery LS problems
I have a 2000 Lincoln LS 3.9 liter engine. Second owner, bought it in 2005 with 56000 miles on it. First I will mention that I used to joke that this car will make a mechanic out of you, because although I did buy an extended warranty with it, that covered the first batch of 3 coils, and the valve cover gaskets replaced. That was just, "wading in the shallow end". Since I have been my own mechanic all my life, just because I would rather spend my money on tools, I will have when the repairs are done. I started, learning tune ups, then brakes, shocks, front end work,
changing transmissions, rebuilding engines,( multiple), You end up a hot rodder building lots of different vehicles, and afraid of nothing. That was before computers, which was the real reason I bought the extended warranty with the Lincoln. Since that ran out, I have done the brakes, swapped out multiples of the coils, (& plugs) replaced the degas tank, thermostats, eliminated the hydraulic fan, replacing it with an electric one...changed out both front window regulators, serpentine belt, serviced the a/c system,
We live in Southern Idaho where it gets HOT in the Summer, so I have had regular battles with overheating issues.
To the point now... I casually drove the car over to get a haircut last time, travelling about two miles, at 35-40 mph.
The car ran great on the way over, ( listening to the radio, cause the car had no issues). I come back to the car 30 minutes later, and the car won't start. I was trying, but it was acting like it was out of time all of a sudden. No start. I realized that where I had it parked, was in an area that was only going to get more and more conjested as the morning turned into afternoon, etc, and if I couldn't get it moved now, it would be sometime after dinner, before the busy parking lot would allow me to get a tow truck hooked up to it. So, I pumped the gas, and cranked, and cranked, and I was able to get it started, running VERY rough, but limped it across the parking lot to where I would be able to get it on a flatbed at least. Then, thought as long as I was able to limp it that far, I might as well limpit home, @ 10 mph, the two miles. I googled what it was doing, and decided it must be a failed chain tensioner on one of the DOHC cams. Did a little more research, and determined that at 128000+ I had a car with a book value about $1000. less than what three shops quoted me to replace the tensioners, ($3500.) I just didn't have time in my mind to tackle this at this time. I had a flatbed pick it up and the shop I had chosen, called and said there is no compression in #6 hole, and at that point, now they want $5500. to get the head(s) off and replace a head gasket, or whatever seems to be causing the no compression issue, in #6. The rest of the cylinders have between 110, to 130lbs of compression. I now am trying to determine whether to sell it for a body, that needs a motor, or get a motor and find out why mechanics hate these cars. Anyone have some input? We loved the car, other than all the problems.
I bought a Tahoe for a "car" for us, but keep looking at this shiney Lincoln that's dead in the yard.....
changing transmissions, rebuilding engines,( multiple), You end up a hot rodder building lots of different vehicles, and afraid of nothing. That was before computers, which was the real reason I bought the extended warranty with the Lincoln. Since that ran out, I have done the brakes, swapped out multiples of the coils, (& plugs) replaced the degas tank, thermostats, eliminated the hydraulic fan, replacing it with an electric one...changed out both front window regulators, serpentine belt, serviced the a/c system,
We live in Southern Idaho where it gets HOT in the Summer, so I have had regular battles with overheating issues.
To the point now... I casually drove the car over to get a haircut last time, travelling about two miles, at 35-40 mph.
The car ran great on the way over, ( listening to the radio, cause the car had no issues). I come back to the car 30 minutes later, and the car won't start. I was trying, but it was acting like it was out of time all of a sudden. No start. I realized that where I had it parked, was in an area that was only going to get more and more conjested as the morning turned into afternoon, etc, and if I couldn't get it moved now, it would be sometime after dinner, before the busy parking lot would allow me to get a tow truck hooked up to it. So, I pumped the gas, and cranked, and cranked, and I was able to get it started, running VERY rough, but limped it across the parking lot to where I would be able to get it on a flatbed at least. Then, thought as long as I was able to limp it that far, I might as well limpit home, @ 10 mph, the two miles. I googled what it was doing, and decided it must be a failed chain tensioner on one of the DOHC cams. Did a little more research, and determined that at 128000+ I had a car with a book value about $1000. less than what three shops quoted me to replace the tensioners, ($3500.) I just didn't have time in my mind to tackle this at this time. I had a flatbed pick it up and the shop I had chosen, called and said there is no compression in #6 hole, and at that point, now they want $5500. to get the head(s) off and replace a head gasket, or whatever seems to be causing the no compression issue, in #6. The rest of the cylinders have between 110, to 130lbs of compression. I now am trying to determine whether to sell it for a body, that needs a motor, or get a motor and find out why mechanics hate these cars. Anyone have some input? We loved the car, other than all the problems.
I bought a Tahoe for a "car" for us, but keep looking at this shiney Lincoln that's dead in the yard.....
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