00 LS V8 Backfire/Smoke/wont run

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powerbookkid

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Just bought what seemed to be a good deal: 00 2 owner fully loaded LS V8 Sport with 122k original miles. the car allegedly just stopped working one day and had been sitting since Feb. it is absolutely filthy, but underneath the months of dirt is a gorgeous graphite metallic paint and nice dark gray leather... Unfortunately I have no idea what mechanical condition its in. The fluids all look good, no strange colors/smells/ect. levels are all good. no leaks. however, when I first tried to crank the car, it just clicked... loudly. wouldnt crank. I tried to crank the engine forward by hand and I couldnt make it turn. So i tried to move it backward, and low and behold, it spun. So i cranked it back by hand, and hit it with the starter.. and it cranked over!!! ran for a split second, and died. cranked it again... got a loud POP from the engine, and a concerning amount of smoke started to appear from the middle of the engine somewhere, and when i opened the oil cap, more smoke came out, and kept coming out!. Kinda freaking out, hoping this doesnt need an engine! didnt hear any knocking noises... it kinda blips to life for a split second when it wants to. but doesnt run. any ideas? it seems to be getting fuel. I personally thought the started seemed to be working REALLY hard to spin the engine. any help/hints would be great. Never had a Lincoln, esp one with a Jag engine.
 
The timing chain system is not designed to turn backwards. Often, doing so will cause the chains to jump. However, it sounds like that had already happened anyway. It is likely that the whole engine is toast. Just pulling the valve covers will confirm or deny that you have cam timing problems. If you do, you will have to pull the heads to see how badly things are damaged.
 
I only turned it back a few degrees... if the engine can't that then what a crap design. I started it this am and it cranked right up, but the fuel pump was audible thru the speaker system. The engine was not Smoking at all or making a metallic noise but more like a pop pop backfire, my friend seems to think the grounds are bad. I pulled the RH plugs and they're old so im betting those are shorting out too. It ran for about a minute or two before I shut it off. If.the chains were toast it wouldn't run... right. I only paid a grand for the car so im really not too too worried if it needs an engine. The body panels alone are worth what I paid lol.
 
powerbookkid said:
I only turned it back a few degrees... if the engine can't that then what a crap design. I started it this am and it cranked right up, but the fuel pump was audible thru the speaker system. The engine was not Smoking at all or making a metallic noise but more like a pop pop backfire, my friend seems to think the grounds are bad. I pulled the RH plugs and they're old so im betting those are shorting out too. It ran for about a minute or two before I shut it off. If.the chains were toast it wouldn't run... right. I only paid a grand for the car so im really not too too worried if it needs an engine. The body panels alone are worth what I paid lol.
Click to expand...

The manual warns strongly about never letting the crank turn backwards at all. I don't plan to find out if the warning is accurate or overboard.
The engine will run if one of the secondary (exhaust) chains has only jumped one tooth or so, it just won't run well.
I'd pull the valve covers and check the cam timing. If all looks good, then new plugs and new COPs would be a wise next step. Alternately, you could check the compression for each cylinder.
 
I'm not an LS guy (but I do plan to get one eventually), but the "pop pop backfire" sounds like it's jumped time. If it's popping or spitting back through the intake, that's almost definitely what it is. As far as the rest, if you think it's okay, put a set of plugs in it and clean all the electrical connectors with some contact cleaner and put on some dialectric grease when you reconnect everything and see what happens. Maybe it is an electrical problem. But I doubt it.
 
I got back today after a 3 week "vacation"... the car started right up, still backfiring and everything. I watched a few videos on youtube about the timing chain noises... but my car doesnt seem to be making those same noises. however, since I have no record of the timing chain tensioners being replaced, im willing to bet thats what it is. going to pull the valve covers and check it out shortly. the car idled just fine today, the a/c even works! It revs, but not freely. I really think it jumped time. hopefully not enough to do any major damage.

anyone know of a cheap place to get the tensioners?? I dont care if they're cheap quality and are going to fail, i just need the car running LOL. I checked ebay but am weary of ordering something like that from there. everywhere else, they seem to want $600+ for a timing chain kit... i (hopefully) dont need the entire kit.

thanks for the input thou guys.
 
heres a vid of me starting the car this AM. its decided it doesnt want to smoke anymore, BUT, its leaving lovely little puddles of oil... fabulous.

the thing is, I dont hear that tell tale rattle noise everyone else seems to be hearing... or maybe im deaf. lol.

http://youtu.be/8bDuzJiYbag


havent pulled valve covers yet. going to wait til I can order the VCG's
 
Sounds like crap. Listen to startup of a healthy engine compared to yours. I would not even run the engine at all anymore.
 
sounds like valve damage to me too... but give it a shot... +1 on Chris...parts.
 
If you have basic mechanical knowledge (the ability to remove things) you could probably part it out on here, craigslist and ebay and make at least twice what you paid for it. Just a thought.
 
i have a bit more than basic mechanical knowledge, (put timing belts in my last 5 Lexus'), its time that Im lacking. if i had time to mess with it, i would part it out. I was hoping it was something simple but Im really not surprised it needs an engine.


Im tempted to pull the valve covers.. but that means i still have to put new gaskets on, and if it is out of time, i dont have the special tools to reset it. (unless im missing something...?)


Wish I could just drop a duratec in it and be done lol
 
Pulled the valve cover on the RH side, secondary timing chain snapped. ughhhh. the furthest back spark plug looked like it had been hit with something so there is catastrophic engine damage. sucks cuz its a really pretty car. oh well.
 
Sorry to hear man. It sounded bad in the video. Wanna sell me the cruise control servo and cable?
 
Saw a few engines online for around 1200-1500 with low miles. <60,000. I'm sure if you researched further you could find a better deal, that is IF you really want to keep the car.
 
Im really wishing I could drop a V6 in it, muchhh more reliable.

I havent decided if I want to part it out or just try and dump it whole. i know its worth more in parts but thats a big headache. plus i have no idea what to ask for anything.

Was thinking about slapping a new head and timing chain on it and dumping it, but thats ALOT of work. I was never planning on keeping this car because they're just not reliable enough.

has anyone tried to put a V6 into a V8...?
 
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