The spare is fine. Fortunately, I hgavent needed to test it out.
Clearmask is the transparent film I used. It is made by 3m. I will look up the contact info later, if you need me to. They did slightly larger pieces for my LS so it would tuck under the grill.
glad to hear you haven't had a requirement for it yet. I must say that I have not had any flats during my ownership, kock on wood, and am approaching 5 yrs.
I will see if i can find a dealer for the clear mask if not I m,ay take you up on your offer. Thanks for the reply.
i googled for it a few ways but couldn't find the company so if you have the contact info or website my lovely wife would appreciate it. Oh and me to; i would appreciate as well.
In case you missed the first day's results, the OLOA LS placed 4th overall behind: 1.) Porsche 911, 2.) Porsche 911 C2 and 3.) Porsche 911 GT3. The LS pulled .912 Gs in the Wet Skid Pad run and earned 395 points. The Porsches pulled .93, .928 and .915 Gs respectively. Needless to say, the LS is ranked first in its class at this point. GO LINCOLN!
The two CTS-Vs in competition ranked 30th and 33rd overall... .
tends only to make us pine for what might have been.
Anyone who follows racing doesn't care about Lincolns and anyone who cares about (or drives) Lincolns doesn't follow racing (present company excepted). When I say anyone, I'm talking about the 150,000+ LS drivers who aren't enthusiasts, not the 300 who are.
Picked up my new LS today, and the "grin" has been revitalized! Turned my '01 LSV8 PP in on an '04 LSV8 Sport, with moon-roof and HID lights. It's the medium steel blue, with shale/dove interior, and it looks terrific!
I'm very happy with all the improvements made over time - almost all of the little niggling things have been dealt with. The interior is just about perfect! One thing still, and it probably has more to do with my anatomy than anything else, is that the tranny hump still intrudes to the point that the right side of my right leg gets uncomfortable from constant contact/pressure.
I can hardly wait to get some clicks on it, so that I can start enjoying the extra horsepower. The exhaust note seems much more authorative than the '01 to me. Actually sounds like a good old American V8 instead of an out of control shop-vac. Who could ask for more!
From what I recollect, the project car was still going strong with over 118,000 miles on it and no problems with the transmission or engine or anything else for that matter. I think the guy got the 2002 manual so that he could start doing stuff to that one as well.
glad to hear the grin is up. I love that exterior color too not certain about the shale/dove is it grayish? I will walk my computer over to the lincoln 2website and take a look.
Well the MAF replacement has certainly contributed to the remediation of the kick I get when shifting into reverse. Sometimes I don't even feel it slip into gear and find myself sitting a few extra seconds just to make sure I don't let of the brake and apply the gas; a habit i picked up over time so that i would not exacerbate the problem. I am sure that during intake the MAF's feedback cotributes something to the tranny's computation on when and how to shift. I haven't tried to link the 2 together in any shcematics yet but intend to do a little investigation once my next hurdle is crossed.
My next project is to replace the A/C compressor clutch coil and beg of you that are experienced in A/C's to share your experience.
I know that it is the compressors clutch coil that is bad but not certain if I should consider replacing the compressor at the same time. Since the two are mated together it really is a matter of spending another 350 dollars on a compressor and since the compressors aren't serviceable.
I hate rework but even more than that I really have a disdain for throwing money at things that aren't necessary which is why I do not own a boat, well a sea going vessel.
Some say that lincoln's are boats I tend to agree but I hate to generalize cause I know that the LS isn't and I really want to do away with that stereo type. Have a splendid weekend folks.
Steve was referring to the failed engine modifications on the project car. The heads were ported and too much material was removed resulting in a failure. It was just an experiment and the problem was caused by the over aggressive porting. Original parts were replaced and it's still going strong.
glad to hear you are happy with your new purchase. i traded a 2000 LSV-8 sport in on a 2003 LS V-8 premium sport in february and you are right about the improvements!! i love my new car too. hope you have great luck with it!! BTW what options did you get on it?
i am getting steering vibration at 100kmh and more one dealer told me to change tire i change tire and still vibration.i go to another dealer he change a spring in the rack still the vibration he change the rack and pignon still the vibration in the steering and the car seem to go right and left i drive them to cut off around 245kmh it shake at all speed 120 140 160 180 200 220 .... it was dificulte to take the car right in lane one of my friends with audi tt turbo was behind me and told me i was going right and left a little you can felt the steering going right and left a little alignment is good tire are falken azenis st115 perfectly balance... rotor brand new powerslot I place the car on a lift lift the front of the car by the tab where the ball joint are and i put a bar on the tread of the ball joint and push up it play a little passenger side and little more on driver side this is not suppose to move at all when your not placing pressure on tab the ball joint not moving..... at all i thinks it could be the problem of almost all ls vibration when i took real bounce or hole the vibration disappear four 1km worse when accelerating and when it very cold minus 20 it almost no vibration all the parts in direction are cold so less movement easier when is hot vibration is there movement is easier i am going really to find out what is the problem i am gonna ask the dealers to replace ball joints and if the problem still there they gonna change parts after parts until the vibration desapers
More than one LS has had the isolinear dampers in the lower control arms fail; the result is a flux resonance which causes the inertial dampers to shut down-hence the vibration. Lincoln now offers an upgraded chronometric phased control arm which usually solves the problem; check with your service advisor.
I have a catback from Magnaflow and an intake kit from the owners' club. I spend plenty of time flogging my transmission and suspension. Since the maggies, I've logged around 20K miles with not a beat missed by anything, transmission or otherwise.
super thanks for the feedback. I am considering replacing the the auto tranny with another auto tranny. I check fordpartsonline.com and they have the transmission listed for a rather reasonable price and considering the frequency at which this ugly little problem pops up i believe it would be more equitable in the end to just drop this one and plug a new one in.
I replaced my AC compressor this weekend. It was tough working on my back but the overall scope of the project was not that difficult. I ended up buying a compressor with the clutch assy already installed rather than deal with tearing the old compressor down and putting the new clutch coil and clutch on. Plus the over all cost wound up being approx 90 more than component swap. My neighbor picked up the parts for me at his cost so I saved some great money there.
I had the AC coolant recovered properly by my neighbors shop and they are recharging the system for me today and should have it back by about 2pm. You can't drive in FL without an AC in the car. I shudder to think what it was like way back in the day. I wouldn't wish this project on anyone but if you find yourself in this spot it can be done by a DIY'er with minimum trouble and I do recommend having the AC system recoverd by a shop not just for enviromental reason but for the safety of it.
thanks... I thouoght it sounded to good to be true. I have considered having a filter installed in my garage for the purpose of car washing because we have some really hard water here in Tampa.
I wash the cars in the garage so that the surfaces don't heat after the rinse cycle, like it is a load of laundry , and spot up really badly.
I tried washing at night but we have an equally horrible problem with mosquitoes here and i for one to not want to test mother natures little flying weapons of mass destruction.
Looks like after the tranny work I will hit home depot and see what i can find out about a water purifier for the ol 3 car garage.
Solutions for little problems just don't come cheap any more.
Well the AC job was a great success and I would like to thank those of you that responded to my questions. The feedback was helpful and most appreciated.
Thats good to know about the A/C compressor replacement not being overly bad. I take it you have to do it all from beneath the car as I can just barely see the A/C compressor from above. I guess this is all for packaging, but I can remember that most older cars(at least Detroit iron) had their A/C compressors mounted high and easily accessible from above.
Yeah not that bad really. It would had been easier if I could of had it up on a lift due to having to get at it from the bottom but a nice pair of goggels and a towel under the neck and it is much better.
Yeah I remember those days oh how I miss them. You could practically stand in the engine bay of many cars back then. Now you have to be a contortionist just to change the oil let alone unscheduled maintenance.
I am about to get my first oil change on my 03 LS V6 at 4K miles. I would like to try Mobil 1 00-20 instead of the standard 10-20 Dino oil. Any great benefits or gas mileage boost from the synthetic?
You must use the oil specified by the mfr to keep your warranty coverage since it's being provided at no extra charge on your 03. I believe the factory oil is 5W-20. Use that until you're out of the factory maintenance period, then switch to Mobil 1 if you want. You won't see a major difference either way.
I have heard that dealers, and not just Lincoln dealers, can argue that since an individual didn't have their cars oil changed with them, at the dealer, then they have no way to know if was a properly executed oil change and thusly refusing to cover a repair under warranty that would ordanarily be covered by the warranty.
I took mine and my wife takes hers to the dealer just in case. I would defintely suggest against doing the work yourself while the car is under warranty because you have no reliable means of documentation.
It says that you don't have to use the dealer for routine maintenance (with no impact to warranty eligibility) as long as the parts you use meet the OEM specs......UNLESS the dealer provides these parts at no extra charge.
Since Lincoln provides 3 years of free maintenance on 2003 vehicles (reduced to 1 year for 2004 BTW) then you must use the dealer for maintenance. If not then Lincoln could legally reject a warranty claim. Not saying they would, mind you, but they COULD (legally). Outside of the free maintenance period you can do anything you like as long as it meets OEM specs.
Yeah, I've actually never heard of a dealer doing that, and my dealer has gone out of his way to honor the warranty for me when it really wasn't covered, twice. Once, the car was just out of warranty on time, like 2 weeks, and I blew a head gasket. They covered it. And although I usually had them perform the service, there were a few times I used an independent garage for just an oil change.
interesting didn't know the M/M act covered oil changes and the likes as well. I thought it pertained to filters and mufflers. I knoew the 03's had the free maint but it sounded as if he was taking it to someone other than the dealer... could be wrong.
No, it's a new entry level FWD/AWD vehicle. It won't replace the LS. Current rumor is the next LS will be called the Continental and be built off either the new Mustang platform or the old Panther platform (let's hope it's the former). It's also possible the LS will co-exist with the Continental. Sheer speculation at this point.
The 5W-20 factory oil isn't just dino oil anyway, it's a synthetic blend. I think Ford markets a standard 5W-20 for some other vehicles, but the LS requires the synthetic blend.
I actually like the interior. The production car won't be exactly like the concept but if you look at the Aviator or Navigator interiors you'll see the resemblance.
yeah it isn't so hoorible that i would be ashamed it just seems a bit clinical to me almost too clean.
HEADLIGHT adjustment...... can someone give me the what for on how to adjust them. My left low beam is kind of high and has been that way since they first replaced my head lamps about 2 years ago. TIA
It's the pathetic FWD platform that disappoints me... And this car is going to get hell for being a Mazda 6 variant. It may be a great variant, but no Lincoln should be FWD. No Benz is, no BMW is...... Not even any new Cadillac is. Bad idea.... The AWD may get by, but the FWD is going to suck. YMMV.
that a recent comparison (Road & Track) put the CTS on top and the BMW sixth out of seven, but didn't even include the LS?
CTS appears to have won based on value and performance. BMW lost on new (ugly -- go figure, given the CTS) styling, very high price & the electronic dashboard & other features. It seems to me the LS could have placed well in this comparo.
Could it be that the R & T guys knew the present LS isn't going to be made much longer, and that the next one will be nothing even resembling a performance sedan? I'm sure those on the "inside" board know the answers to this. With luck, they'll share.
Could be as simple as advertising dollars. I don't get R & T. Is the LS advertised? I'm going to guess the CTS is, given the never-ending TV coverage.
I wonder what the sales volumes of the seven competitors and the LS are. Is it possible that the CTS sales figures back up this kind of placement? Could the LS sales figures explain its exclusion?
I had no idea that buying this car four or so years ago would put me in such an exclusive group: one of the 967 people on earth who own an LS because it's actually a performance sedan (and no one else on the planet knows!).
If anyone on the inside knows, they aren't telling us. I honestly don't think they know yet. With all the budget issues and management changes I think they've changed directions several times in the last 2 years and it's still up in the air.
Having the Zephyr will help since the LS will no longer have to fill the void left by the Continental (smaller alternative to the Town Car).
Looking to purchase a Lincoln LS. Debating on 2002 V8 Sport, 2003 V6 Premium or go all out for the V8 Sport. Is there much difference in the horse power in the 03 V6, I have read confusing reviews. Brother in law works for a Lincoln dealership in management, can get me a sweet deal. He is against the V6 for the money but is that true. Not a dragster anymore just want some power, class and safe vehicle. Thanks is advance of a reponse. Oh husband wants me to get an Infinity G35 coupe..what to do? Jini
"Could it be that the R & T guys knew the present LS isn't going to be made much longer, and that the next one will be nothing even resembling a performance sedan? I'm sure those on the "inside" board know the answers to this. With luck, they'll share."
I can tell you this much, those general magazines such as R&T, C&D, MT, etc. are the LAST people to get information. The manufacturer's have media embargo's on certain items, and unless a specific resource as those goes out on a limb and guesses, they could get in quite a bit of trouble for reporting such information without verification.
I myself have seen so many numerous errors whenever they try and predict a future product. More over, educated guesses based on common sense assumptions, than anything else.
The LS doesn't get much attention because of Ford's resources into advertising other vehicles with higher profit margins. Look at the Navi and Avi for example, while the Town Car is a cash cow which it's development has been paid for many times over. Other good Ford vehicles have suffered this same fate, and usually it occurs when a new mission is on the horizon. The Taurus is one great example.....
It depends what your looking for in a car, but, say if I were you... I have driven the 2003 LS v8 Sport Black on Black with all the amentities, the manumatic/Navigation/Wood/Leather and the works.
The car I drove was so smooth, so powerful. from about 15mph to 30 when my foot just tickled the acellerator the car propelled forward, I didn't even hear the engine. I understand you get all american Bass at full throttle, but I enjoyed the luxury side of it. The cornering is simply amazing, I turnd a corner at around 30 mph and out of my lips whent the phrase BM-double who? The interrior revisions for 2003 are well worth it, the wood is real, and the sound system is THX! wow you have to listen to it, especially if you have any cd's with THX cetified compliance. And did I mention the 2003 wheel designs!
One problem... and this is what turned me off... everytime the LS suspension found a bump, it made sure i knew about it. I don't mean the damping, I mean the sound, it was louder than i expected, bieng that the cabin was so dam quiet the suspension sound really kills the luxury atmophere. You could pass it off as "well its an F1 inspired suspenion" but would it hurt Lincln to spend 50 bucks and put a barrier to absorb some harsh sound.
Comments
Clearmask is the transparent film I used. It is made by 3m. I will look up the contact info later, if you need me to. They did slightly larger pieces for my LS so it would tuck under the grill.
I will see if i can find a dealer for the clear mask if not I m,ay take you up on your offer. Thanks for the reply.
The two CTS-Vs in competition ranked 30th and 33rd overall... .
Anyone who follows racing doesn't care about Lincolns and anyone who cares about (or drives) Lincolns doesn't follow racing (present company excepted). When I say anyone, I'm talking about the 150,000+ LS drivers who aren't enthusiasts, not the 300 who are.
Still interesting.
I'm very happy with all the improvements made over time - almost all of the little niggling things have been dealt with. The interior is just about perfect! One thing still, and it probably has more to do with my anatomy than anything else, is that the tranny hump still intrudes to the point that the right side of my right leg gets uncomfortable from constant contact/pressure.
I can hardly wait to get some clicks on it, so that I can start enjoying the extra horsepower. The exhaust note seems much more authorative than the '01 to me. Actually sounds like a good old American V8 instead of an out of control shop-vac. Who could ask for more!
More soon...
My next project is to replace the A/C compressor clutch coil and beg of you that are experienced in A/C's to share your experience.
I know that it is the compressors clutch coil that is bad but not certain if I should consider replacing the compressor at the same time. Since the two are mated together it really is a matter of spending another 350 dollars on a compressor and since the compressors aren't serviceable.
I hate rework but even more than that I really have a disdain for throwing money at things that aren't necessary which is why I do not own a boat, well a sea going vessel.
Some say that lincoln's are boats I tend to agree but I hate to generalize cause I know that the LS isn't and I really want to do away with that stereo type. Have a splendid weekend folks.
circlea
he change a spring in the rack still the vibration he change the rack and pignon still the vibration in the steering and the car seem to go right and left i drive them to cut off around 245kmh
it shake at all speed 120 140 160 180 200 220 ....
it was dificulte to take the car right in lane
one of my friends with audi tt turbo was behind
me and told me i was going right and left a little
you can felt the steering going right and left a little
alignment is good tire are falken azenis st115
perfectly balance... rotor brand new powerslot
I place the car on a lift
lift the front of the car by the tab where the ball joint are and
i put a bar on the tread of the ball joint
and push up it play a little
passenger side and little more on driver side
this is not suppose to move at all when your not
placing pressure on tab the ball joint not moving..... at all
i thinks it could be the problem of almost all ls vibration when i took real bounce or hole the
vibration disappear four 1km worse when accelerating and when it very cold minus 20 it almost no vibration all the parts in direction
are cold so less movement easier when is hot
vibration is there movement is easier
i am going really to find out what is the problem
i am gonna ask the dealers to replace ball joints
and if the problem still there they gonna change parts after parts
until the vibration desapers
I replaced my AC compressor this weekend. It was tough working on my back but the overall scope of the project was not that difficult. I ended up buying a compressor with the clutch assy already installed rather than deal with tearing the old compressor down and putting the new clutch coil and clutch on. Plus the over all cost wound up being approx 90 more than component swap. My neighbor picked up the parts for me at his cost so I saved some great money there.
I had the AC coolant recovered properly by my neighbors shop and they are recharging the system for me today and should have it back by about 2pm. You can't drive in FL without an AC in the car. I shudder to think what it was like way back in the day. I wouldn't wish this project on anyone but if you find yourself in this spot it can be done by a DIY'er with minimum trouble and I do recommend having the AC system recoverd by a shop not just for enviromental reason but for the safety of it.
Have a good day.
I wash the cars in the garage so that the surfaces don't heat after the rinse cycle, like it is a load of laundry
I tried washing at night but we have an equally horrible problem with mosquitoes here and i for one to not want to test mother natures little flying weapons of mass destruction.
Looks like after the tranny work I will hit home depot and see what i can find out about a water purifier for the ol 3 car garage.
Solutions for little problems just don't come cheap any more.
thanks again for the feedback.
Yeah I remember those days oh how I miss them. You could practically stand in the engine bay of many cars back then. Now you have to be a contortionist just to change the oil let alone unscheduled maintenance.
help me....
I took mine and my wife takes hers to the dealer just in case. I would defintely suggest against doing the work yourself while the car is under warranty because you have no reliable means of documentation.
http://popular.thewavemedia.com/warranty.html
It says that you don't have to use the dealer for routine maintenance (with no impact to warranty eligibility) as long as the parts you use meet the OEM specs......UNLESS the dealer provides these parts at no extra charge.
Since Lincoln provides 3 years of free maintenance on 2003 vehicles (reduced to 1 year for 2004 BTW) then you must use the dealer for maintenance. If not then Lincoln could legally reject a warranty claim. Not saying they would, mind you, but they COULD (legally). Outside of the free maintenance period you can do anything you like as long as it meets OEM specs.
If there's any doubt, IMHO, just pull a valve cover. You can tell if the engine has been maintained or not.
http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=2896
-Paul
HEADLIGHT adjustment......
can someone give me the what for on how to adjust them. My left low beam is kind of high and has been that way since they first replaced my head lamps about 2 years ago. TIA
CTS appears to have won based on value and performance. BMW lost on new (ugly -- go figure, given the CTS) styling, very high price & the electronic dashboard & other features. It seems to me the LS could have placed well in this comparo.
Could it be that the R & T guys knew the present LS isn't going to be made much longer, and that the next one will be nothing even resembling a performance sedan? I'm sure those on the "inside" board know the answers to this. With luck, they'll share.
Could be as simple as advertising dollars. I don't get R & T. Is the LS advertised? I'm going to guess the CTS is, given the never-ending TV coverage.
I wonder what the sales volumes of the seven competitors and the LS are. Is it possible that the CTS sales figures back up this kind of placement? Could the LS sales figures explain its exclusion?
I had no idea that buying this car four or so years ago would put me in such an exclusive group: one of the 967 people on earth who own an LS because it's actually a performance sedan (and no one else on the planet knows!).
Having the Zephyr will help since the LS will no longer have to fill the void left by the Continental (smaller alternative to the Town Car).
Jini
I can tell you this much, those general magazines such as R&T, C&D, MT, etc. are the LAST people to get information. The manufacturer's have media embargo's on certain items, and unless a specific resource as those goes out on a limb and guesses, they could get in quite a bit of trouble for reporting such information without verification.
I myself have seen so many numerous errors whenever they try and predict a future product. More over, educated guesses based on common sense assumptions, than anything else.
The LS doesn't get much attention because of Ford's resources into advertising other vehicles with higher profit margins. Look at the Navi and Avi for example, while the Town Car is a cash cow which it's development has been paid for many times over. Other good Ford vehicles have suffered this same fate, and usually it occurs when a new mission is on the horizon. The Taurus is one great example.....
The 2003 has a lot of improvements over the 2002, although they're both good cars.
I have driven the 2003 LS v8 Sport Black on Black with all the amentities, the manumatic/Navigation/Wood/Leather and the works.
The car I drove was so smooth, so powerful. from about 15mph to 30 when my foot just tickled the acellerator the car propelled forward, I didn't even hear the engine. I understand you get all american Bass at full throttle, but I enjoyed the luxury side of it.
The cornering is simply amazing, I turnd a corner at around 30 mph and out of my lips whent the phrase BM-double who?
The interrior revisions for 2003 are well worth it, the wood is real, and the sound system is THX! wow you have to listen to it, especially if you have any cd's with THX cetified compliance. And did I mention the 2003 wheel designs!
One problem... and this is what turned me off...
everytime the LS suspension found a bump, it made sure i knew about it. I don't mean the damping, I mean the sound, it was louder than i expected, bieng that the cabin was so dam quiet the suspension sound really kills the luxury atmophere. You could pass it off as "well its an F1 inspired suspenion" but would it hurt Lincln to spend 50 bucks and put a barrier to absorb some harsh sound.
Well thats my take, I hope it helps