04' LS V6 - Total Replacement

[pkerrigan21]

Hey guys,

Just want some thoughts and opinions on what I am about to do.

I am going to completely take the upper intake manifold off of my V6 engine. I have 103k miles on it. I have had some errors come up for misfires and catalyst efficiency being inadequate. I want to relate the catalyst to the misfires and hope that doesn't need replaced.

I will be replacing all Coils - getting them on ebay from Alanisdeals as I have read his parts work well - $139.00

I am going to buy 6 new spark plugs - but on his webstore: http://stores.ebay.com/alanisdeals06/Spark-Plugs-/_i.html?_fsub=1796547011&_sid=89990741&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

It doesnt seem like he has any - can I just pick up some from Autozone such as one of these - and which would you suggest is the best to buy: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/2004-Lincoln-LS/Spark-Plug/_/N-jlgj2Z9n80x

From there I want to replace the gaskets and stuff: Would this kit cover all the gaskets and such I will be replacing (I want the kit): http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Felpro-Valve-Cover-Gasket/2004-Lincoln-LS/_/N-jlgj2Z93xyk?counter=0&itemIdentifier=918096_69276_0_

Would you say there is anything else I should just go ahead and replace while I am in there? I have heard the PVC or something to that effect should just go ahead and replace too.

I want to order these parts today or tomorrow and your opinions and feedback would be great. I have seen tech articles that show how to take the manifold off but it looks to be a gen1 engine. Anyone know of any articles that show images like that one, but also shows the tools you will need for each process?


Thanks guys!

 

[Mechanicboy]

You might be able to get better prices from MAX, or rockauto.com. I'd use motorcraft, NGK, or Autolight. Use platinum, anything less and you'll be under the intake after not to long and anything more will be a waste of money. I also recomment you check the gap of your plugs and gap them to .051"

Everything else looks fine, good luck with the coils, they are hit and miss.

Check your vacuum hoses for cracks and leaks. On your car the PCV should be on the driverside valve cover and now would be a good time to replace it.

 

[n8bachelor]

I just did the same (coils, plugs & gaskets) to my 04 v6 at 96k due to misfire and CEL

+1 on gapping the plugs. Everyone told me they should drop right in, not to gap them. BS! Out-of-the box plugs had gaps ranging from 41 to 74, I set mine to 54.

You can replace the PCV very easily, it is on top of the valve cover, not under the intake like in gen1.

Something else you may want to consider is the IMT valve o-rings. They are on top of the intake near the firewall. If they are leaking you will get oil down the back of the intake and onto the exhaust. Not easy to replace them without taking the intake off, so you might as well. I think it was $9 for both of them.

Let me know if you need any tips. I took lots of pics but haven't posted many.

 

[pkerrigan21]

I just did the same (coils, plugs & gaskets) to my 04 v6 at 96k due to misfire and CEL

+1 on gapping the plugs. Everyone told me they should drop right in, not to gap them. BS! Out-of-the box plugs had gaps ranging from 41 to 74, I set mine to 54.

You can replace the PCV very easily, it is on top of the valve cover, not under the intake like in gen1.

Something else you may want to consider is the IMT valve o-rings. They are on top of the intake near the firewall. If they are leaking you will get oil down the back of the intake and onto the exhaust. Not easy to replace them without taking the intake off, so you might as well. I think it was $9 for both of them.

Let me know if you need any tips. I took lots of pics but haven't posted many.

Any chance you can upload the pics or send them to my email with an explanation? I am not mechanically included, but I can follow directions pretty easily from the tech articles. Do the O rings you spoke of come in the valve gasket kit? You can see it here: Valve Cover Gasket from Advanced Auto Parts I also got the spark plugs from there because they were motorcraft.

The vacuum hoses/leaks areas - Did you replace any besides the PCV? If so would the pictures show?

Thanks again, I will be doing this tomorrow


One last question:

My windshield wiper on the driver side doesn't clear the window off in the middle of the wiper. When it goes up it works great, but when it goes back down it leaves a trail in the middle of it. I just replaced the wiper and for a few days it was working great, then the streak came back. I have cleaned everything with no luck. Anyone else had this issue?

 

[pkerrigan21]

First off thanks for all of the advice.

Secondly - Is there any chance that you could send me the pictures of when you did yours? Maybe in order of what you did?

This would be greatly apprecaited as I am not mechanically inclined but can follow directions pretty easily.

Secondly - This is not called a PCV elbow, but is this part the same piece? PCV Valve from Autozone

 

[Mechanicboy]

Here's two link to the tech articles(which for future reference is right next to the search function):
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/IntakeManifoldV6/
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/IgnitionCoil00-02V6/

Here's a few threads of people that have done there's with some pictures:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=74395]
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=72551&highlight=elbo


Read this thread, be careful not to break the coolant hose that you see pictured towards the end: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=63181&highlight=elbo&page=2

Also, no, there isn't an elbo that's a particular problem like on the gen1 (00'-02') LS.

 

[pkerrigan21]

Mechanical boy - After I take the upper manifold off I will be able to see the upper gaskets - do I have to then takes that piece out to get to the lower? Is this difficult? I didn't see any instructions on how to remove it anywhere

 

[Mechanicboy]

You can probably lift up the lower intake manifold enough to take the lower gaskets off and replace them. If you have to you could disconnect the fuel line(if like the gen1) and you would definitely have enough room to replace those gaskets.

 

[n8bachelor]

Any chance you can upload the pics or send them to my email with an explanation? I am not mechanically included, but I can follow directions pretty easily from the tech articles. Do the O rings you spoke of come in the valve gasket kit? You can see it here: Valve Cover Gasket from Advanced Auto Parts I also got the spark plugs from there because they were motorcraft.

The vacuum hoses/leaks areas - Did you replace any besides the PCV? If so would the pictures show?

Thanks again, I will be doing this tomorrow

I can send photos if you haven't already got it covered.

I did not replace any hoses, just the PCV valve and the elbow attached to it. Best to replace them together because no way could I get them apart. Even had to use a C clamp to compress the pcv into the elbow.

Here's two link to the tech articles(which for future reference is right next to the search function):
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/IntakeManifoldV6/
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/IgnitionCoil00-02V6/

Here's a few threads of people that have done there's with some pictures:

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=74395]
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=72551&highlight=elbo


Read this thread, be careful not to break the coolant hose that you see pictured towards the end: http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=63181&highlight=elbo&page=2

Also, no, there isn't an elbo that's a particular problem like on the gen1 (00'-02') LS.

Those articles are a great place to start. But there are lots of differences between the gen1 and gen2 teardown. Some pieces have been changed, bolts added, etc. Still simple enough if you are patient. I do not believe anyone has posted a how-to on the gen2 v6.... Guess I'll have to post it up.

Mechanical boy - After I take the upper manifold off I will be able to see the upper gaskets - do I have to then takes that piece out to get to the lower? Is this difficult? I didn't see any instructions on how to remove it anywhere

The lower intake comes off easy enough. However, the wiring harness and fuel lines keep it from being moved too much. I would think the lowers are less important to replace than the uppers and the valve cover gaskets.

Hit us up tonight if you need more help or advise... sorry I missed you yesterday.


EDIT: See my order thread for parts....in case you still need info on those O-rings.
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=71561

 

[Angel12]

I just did my coil(s) swap and plug replacements this weekend..Should have the O-rings and PCV replacement- but do not exactly where it sits. Also I think I have mastered the taking off my intake manifold after my 3-4 try now..lol The 1st time I did this I was flustered...lol Gen2 v6's are a pain in the arse

 

[Mechanicboy]

I just did my coil(s) swap and plug replacements this weekend..Should have the O-rings and PCV replacement- but do not exactly where it sits. Also I think I have mastered the taking off my intake manifold after my 3-4 try now..lol The 1st time I did this I was flustered...lol Gen2 v6's are a pain in the arse

The pcv on the gen2 is on the drivers side vavle cover towards the backs

 

[pkerrigan21]

Yeah PCV elbow is on the far right of the upper manifold told the back. You will see a hose that comes off the left side of your engine (when I say left I am regarding it as your left if you were looking at the engine) - but it comes of the left side of the manifold all the way to the back and it elbows down.

I found no oil, but I found the leak from the windshield wiper gasket which caused my shorting in the rain.

Did everything for about $200.00 bucks. Not bad compared to the dealers $1,000+