Lincoln LS

gunnersmate

I have had to repair this transmission in 2002, 2003 and now in 2004. Fortuneately the first 2 times were paid by warranty but you have to admit the trend is most alarming. I really just want to return to the enjoyment you speak of I can't even recall a contiguos 12 months where I have been able to enjoy this car. Were arn't just talking occasion oil leak here I have a significant investment i have to make here to fix something that has been fixed twice already So I am very serious about this proposed conversion. Frankly it appears that I asked for trouble when I signed the deal on this car so when I say I would like to explore this I am very serious about this.

I don't doubt this conversion to will be hard and costly but it is the only way I can see shoring up this hole I keep pooring money into.

What sort of trade in value to you think a car with a busted up tranny and a history of being busted up almost annually?

Can someone tell me if this car is more standard or metric in regards to the nuts and bolts. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow and inquire about the prospect of removing the automatic w/sst and replacing it with a manual and cluth.

From what I have learned thus far the brake fluid resevoir double as the resevoir for the clutch on the manuals. Can one of you V6 manuals confirm this bit of info?

Trust me when I say I am most cogent of the complexities of todays automobiles but I have faith i my ability to plan and execute and will draw upon my experience from working on complex combat systems and build complex n-tier computer applications. Granted I do not know much about this car but this is a condition of the moment and I am willing to change that. Have a pleasant week folks.

cdnpinhead

as gogent does.

nvbanker

I would most definitely dump it, and I'll bet you could get a decent trade out of it with a little shopping around. Most of these are really good cars, maybe try another one? You aren't in a lease, are you?

v8lincolnguy

I hate to hear your LS isn't travelling well these days. I do know how you feel though. Prior to my LS, I had a 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue. Purchased the car brand spankin new in July 2001(build date was 5/01) and the car had 12 miles on it when I took delivery. And half of those were from my test drive. Not only was this car literally a virgin, but having just graduated from college it was my first ever brand new car. I followed the owner's manual break-in period religiously and I always had the maintenance done when recommended. Sadly, that car gave me more grief in the two years I owned it than I would have expected from a 10 year old car. And to make matters worse, the dealerships did not seem to get the problems resolved the first time and if a part had to be ordered, it was a week minimum before it came in. In 2 years, the car needed transmission service 3 times(the 3rd time they finally decided it best to replace the transmission), an alternator(which did not cure the problem I was having), numerous suspension lubes due to clunking noises, a power steering line(took 2 weeks for this part to come in), and a steering gear. Not to mention a few other smaller things that have probably slipped my mind. And it only had 35K on it when I traded it for the LS last September. I really liked that car when I got it and since GM was giving Oldsmobiles 5 year/60K warranties I figued I would keep it a while. But the numerous problems and the inability for them to be fixed caused me to start looking elsewhere. Hence I found the LS. I've had a couple of problems with the LS, but nothing like the Intrigue. And at least I've found a L-M dealer that seems to be able to fix things. Good luck with your A/C repair.

lsluvr

Maybe you would have better luck with a LINCOLN dealer?? I venture to say that a Ford service department has so little experience with an LS as to be worthless!! There is an underlying problem that must be identified and corrected. My V6 LS has over 82K on it with nary a transmission issue. Contrary to certain automatic haters, I've had very few issues with my automatics over the last 20 or so years. You need to have a Lincoln service department identify, and then fix the problem (which isn't the fact that it is an automatic).

leadfoot4

...Take a Lincoln vehicle to a Lincoln dealer for service??? You've got to be kidding....LOL!!!

gunnersmate

Yeah I know that there is no perfect product and if there were no one could afford it. Development cost would run so high it wouldn't be marketable. This is just a large bitter pill to swallow. I see other LS's on the road whether I be in my LS, my wifes car and i just enjoy catching up to them just so I can gaze at it, you know and get all mushy about it.

I don't kow what I will do with this beast. I am going to call the SA at this LM dealer I went to last week to chew the fat about the situation. I really don't mind making the expendeture to replace the AT with a manual if they say it can be done. I don't know what the high water mark is for me in regards to the cost but if I have to have this tranny work done 3 more times then that is 2700 dollars right there.

Hopefully, this LM shop will have had some prior experience with this issue and might be able to get to the root of it. I am sur that this solenoid pack failure can't be the lone gunman here.

gunnersmate

Nope no lease but am weary of trying to get a good trade on it esp if they want to test drive it. This is the 3rd option though. One way or another I will have to pay for it so it comes down to keeping it and paying out the ear or get involved in another and look at another 48 to 60 months on a loan.

I have never leased imagine I could cause I have good credit but I can't seem to find out much about how they are structured. I'd rather be armed with knowledge before setting accross from a salesman trying to hammer out a deal.

I know everything with a number is negotiable but really not sure what sort of wiggle room they have on lease programs.

I did look at the 04's when I dropped mine off for the fluid flush AHHHhhh memories of the happines a new LS can bring.

the_necroscope

After all, they came from the factory with a manual, right? I don't know of anybody that's tried it, though... My main concern would be the wiring harness.

I don't know where the compressor is, sorry. Mine still works, so I haven't had to know. I'm truly sorry to hear about your troubles and I wish you luck in finding a happy ending.

gunnersmate

Well I am curious if the carriages for the manual and the AT were both built the same..... does the carriage of the AT have the mount points required for teh manual in regards to the cluth and supporting components.

I found the compressor, I think it is the lowest pulley on the drivers side but won't know for sure till this weekend when I get it up on jack stands and can remove the road/ splash guard from the bottom of the car.Hey does anyone know where I might find a residual lease index for autos? I found a nice lease calc on edmunds but need a residual index to look up the value of some autos in order to put real data in. thnx.

gunnersmate

I was helping a neighbor today do the rear brakes and during our discussion about the kick when shifting into reverse along with the mechanical clunking sound that I get when shifting from reverse to park he said it sounds like it may be a motor mount or a mount for the tranny.

Has anyone else had to have a motor mount replaced on their LS. I have felt some resonating in the floor board and steering wheel when in drive and noticed the vibration, albeit slight, disappeared when I placed the car in park or neutral.

I am going to have another neighbors shop looking to this tomorrow. After speaking with him this morning about the fluid flush not working he also mentioned the motor mount prospect.

I am sure the task of replacing the motor mounts is just as arduous but it is less intrusive and could possible be the ROOT of the problem.

have a pleasant evening.

dcls

Anyone had the experience of an occassional, variable moaning sound at about 1300-1600 rpm in traffic? Hydraulic fan, perhaps?
How about the sound of a pump or electric motor engaging about 10 seconds after cold-starting the engine (V6)? Also, there is a slight resonating between 60-70 mph (it sounds like a fan in an older car). In these cases, the V6 is so quiet that these sounds are irritating. Otherwise, I really love this car - 2001 V6!!

gunnersmate

do you start with the A/C on? The only thing I can think of is a loud almost snaping type sound from the past when I would start with the A/C on.

lateralg

At what engine RPM?

ntec

I'm sorry to hear that. I bought a 2000 lincoln ls with 200,000 kms its a 5spd ls6 sport I heard nothing but bad stories about lincoln automatics and thats why I bought mine 5spd .I paid $10,500 canadian taxes in and the car is mint all hwy kms the previous owner worked at ford .As far as getting your car converted to 5spd I don't think that would be cost effective you could most likely sell your car and buy a 5spd model for less that if you total all your costs for the convertion plus the value of your lincoln.I think only 10 % to 20 % of north americans drive stick so if you can find one used the price will be low.

bill42

My wife's vivid red, V6 LS is now just over a month old. Has about 1500 miles on it. Really a nice car. Lincoln really did get the suspension and handling right on the car. Couple of things I'm disappointed in but they are really minor.

The onle thing I do not like at all about the car is the brakes. Really soft pedal, too much pedal travel, don't feel progressive, etc. Let me admit that I'm used to brakes on German cars which have an entirely different feel.

Has anyone tried to improve the braking on an LS by going to harder pads, changing the brake proportioning valve, etc.

Thanks in advance.

nvbanker

this is the first time I have ever heard of this complaint.

gunnersmate

Thanks for the sentiment. I truly adore this car despite its faults and wanted the manual badly when I bought but it was like pulling teeth to get the dealer to get one. They convinced me the resale on an auto would be much better and eventually I caved and bought it.

They took advantage of my desire never again. That is a good idea about looking for a manual. I think I may explore that option after giving the ones I have at hand some further consideration.

Is your LS Black? please say no, please say no. Only one I like as much as the black is the vivid red. gurggle.

dcls

No, the AC is not on. Almost sounds like a fuel pump or a similar sound 5-10 seconds after starting.

1200-1600 rpm in traffic - as in DC traffic. Occasional engagment of something that moans at these rpm's.

cdnpinhead

I agree with your impressions.

Some LS drivers have installed SS braided brake lines &/or Porterfield pads and enjoy the results. I've done the pads, but not the lines, and would submit that it's mostly a matter of different "feel." I've driven Audis in Europe, and definitely prefer that approach.

The LS brakes were originally designed to run in Europe and passed a test involving ten consecutive stops from either 60 or 100 mph (can't remember if it was 100 mph or kph). Not too many production sedans have vented rear discs -- with the anti-dive suspension geometry, the rear brakes carry a larger fraction of the load than they might otherwise.

That said, a firmer pedal would be nice.

leadfoot4

Yes, I totally agree that the brakes on the LS feel "soft". I just got the stainless lines, have the Porterfield pads on order, and I'm also considering slotted rotors.

gunnersmate

IIRC the moan or droaning sound is typical for the early LS's. My 00' also enjoys this attribute. I wonder if the sound you are hearing after a startup is the hydraulic cooling fan. Have someone start it for you while you are positioned in the engine bay. Let me know what area of the engine compartment it is emanating from.

gunnersmate

I performed a visual inspection of the mounts and they do not appear to be deteriorated anyone know if mounts normally show any bad wear or mis alignment when they go bad?

the_necroscope

My understanding is that harder pads (less compressible) and braided SS lines help the situation, but the root is a leaky master cylinder or booster. Most LS's seem to suffer from this. Pedal feel is also quite variable from car to car.

Regardless of feel, the brakes will stop the car just fine.

ntec

No I have the satin silver or whatever its called I like the vivid red but i couldn't find one in 5spd.At least ford was right about one thing the resale would be higher on the auto.

nvbanker

the Manual should be a real bargain on the used market, no? If you can find one. Bet e-bay has some.

ntec

I drove a v8 model LS and I didn't like how the brakes felt it seemed like I had to press down really hard to stop the car.I ended up buying a 2000 LS V6 5spd it stops amazing .Plus I can downshift so that helps .May consider some slotted rotors .I see them on the net for $170 us dollars a set of 4.

gunnersmate

I just really found an appreciation for the siler yesterday. Drove by one yesterday nice and slow and it finally got to me. I always thought siler looked a bit unfinished but that all changed yesterday at least for the LS

bob550k

I put 275/30/19s on my 2000 V8 LS. I take it back! They rub! I put two passengers in the car with me and the rears rubbed slightly. Over the weekend I put the car through some hard corners and the fronts rubbed slightly. I rolled the inside lip of the right rear fender and no more rub on that one (I used a 2 1/2" dowl and a hammer). Now I have to do the left and have a carefull look at the front to see if I can determine where they rub and beat that area into submission. The fronts are only rubbing at high speed through sharp, bumpy corners. The low profile tires improved the handeling so much I can live with the occasional rub. The Understeer (the understeer was bad) is gone and now there is enough traction in back that I can turn off the traction control and do a full throttle start with no wheel spin, with the original equipment wheels and tires it would spin a tire up to 50 or 60mph.

nvbanker

To see these find little Lincolns going around town with 22" wheels on them and the fenders flared to accomodate them......

gunnersmate

yeah lincoln really should reconsider the full fleged boat look.

I put in the 2002 airbox/maf on my 00v6 and it truely feels like it has better pickup. imhoI have had a high idle, around 850 to 900 revs, does someone have the exact spec for this. I found some infor for the manula v6 but couldnt find any on the AT/ sst V6. thanks

gunnersmate

I ordered it and should be in tomorrow. got a great deal on it, if you wanna call it that at this point, 225 dollars and the airbox for 150.

Once i get past the SP I am going back in for the AC clutch coil. I sure wish someone coud lay down some cover fire on this mission.

gunnersmate

I would like to know if anyone out there with an automatic and after market exhaust has had any issues with transmission failures?

pat

Gunnersmate, if you haven't already, you probably ought to check out our Lincoln LS Owners: Problems & Solutions discussion. It's possible that some of your issues have been discussed there.

You can use the "Search This Discussion" feature on the page bar to try to track down messages that would be helpful to you. You can also try that here if you haven't yet discovered it.

gunnersmate

pat been there done that thanks.

gunnersmate

looked again for the 4 or 5th time and the problem is everyone comes here to communicate. when you do a search in sedans this forum is returned in the top for the ls.

gunnersmate

It is confirmed. The solenoid pack is bad once more, 3rd time in less than 60k miles. The reason for my post about the after market exhaust is because he speculated that the change out in exhaust has increased the ambient temp in the that regiion of the car resulting in a rapid thermal degeneration of the tranny fluid. The technical terms are mine he actually used simpler terms thinking I wouldn't be able to comprehend. I am sure it is the case 99% of the time.

Everyone of the solenoid pack change outs has take place after the "upgrade" if you will. Many folk have come and gone from here and the llsoc forum so I am sure this would be a hard item to gather metrics on for evaluation. If any original owners are still out there with that fall within the followin criteria I would love to hear from you.

00 to 01 LS V6/V8 Automatic with SST
with Borla or MagnaFlow Exhaust
and have had tranny issues large or small.

cdnpinhead

should be interesting.

I've never been too big a fan of aftermarket modifications of reasonably well-engineered vehicles, and here's more grist for the mill. I was following the "project" car from the other place, and wasn't too surprised with how it turned out. Last I heard the person who owned it bought one of the last '02 manuals.

Besides which, several know what I think of those delicate transmissions of the non-manual type, so I won't belabor it (for once).

lobsenza

I have a magnaflow exhaust and haven't had any trans problems.

funkcity

The Lincoln 430 HP Custom LS starts its journey today in the Cannonball One Lap of America Driving Event!

From the Ford.com site:

DEARBORN, April 29, 2004 -- Start your engines, and stock up on the No-Doz.
The One Lap of America driving event is about to begin, and this year for the first time ever, Lincoln is entering the competition with a supercharged 430-horsepower LS.

Go Lincoln!!

The Event info:
http://www.onelapofamerica.com

gunnersmate

thanks lobsenza..... hey how did the full size spare work out for you? Also, do you have the info on that 3m film that protects the cars paint. IIRC you told me about it about a year and half to two years ago.

I am interested in find it for my wifes new car.

Hey I know you are a low milage kind of guy so I was wondering at what mile marker did you "upgrade" and where are you at in mileage now if you do not mind my asking. thanks in advance.

gunnersmate

whoa. I couldn't imagine it. I just upgraded my airbox and MAF and I know the kick I have gotten from it alone is a lot to me. I couldn't imagine getting my foot into this beast.

gunnersmate

so the project car didn't do to well huh..... I didn't think it would. I share your poition on the non-manuals and have now for about 60k miles. I have 96k on it now.

The Tech said he would literally have to tear the entire tranny down to see if the root of the problem was an internal issue but he opined that it wasn't likely to be the case. That is when he let me have it about the after market upgrade I made.

I know excess heat is bad for anything mechanical or electrical ao his opinion sounded reasonable.

I am guilty of trying to make the fast LS I couldn't find on the market at the time.

akirby

official press release:

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/feature_display.cfm?release=17650

gunnersmate

wow. I can't say I love the b52 bomber wing on the rear but impressive.

What transmission did they use? Anyone know?

I hold my car for the moment becasue once I have driven the loan off i plan to invest heavily in this direction. I think this car has bold looks that are sultry and make you want it. I think the LS has finally met its soul mate.

chartrand

Stop to think for a moment.
Upgrades to the LS exhaust system occur far away from the tranny. Upgrades consist of muffler and resonator changes along with mandrel bent pipes. This all takes place about 10 feet back from the tranny. If anything, the more efficient exhaust with less restriction will run cooler.
The LS tranny was tested and run in extreme conditions that you couldn't even being to imagine. I'm surprised the transmission god hasn't piped in on this one yet - where are you Mark?
So keep changing solenoid packs till the cows come home - maybe the next possible failure mode will be excessive air in the spare tire.

akirby

It's right there in the article - didn't you read it?

It's from a Mercury Marauder.

gunnersmate

I'll go back but I did read it.

gunnersmate

I read right over it. Something abot that engine bay that is distracting. Certainly raises my eyebrow; I figured they would have used a manual.

gunnersmate

thanks for the feedback. Good points. I like the closing sentence.

I surely would appreciate a visit from the transmission god if you are still out there I would like to ask your opinion. Every tech I have spoken with seems to missing the mark on this and i earnestly want to solve this problem.