2001 Lincoln Ls problems- overheating and ac...help please!!!

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tcoche

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My LS is an 01 V8 with 159k. Problems started march of 2013. Here is a list of everything we fixed/replaced on vehicle...

- hydraulic fan clutch converted to electric
- new radiator
- new water pump
- new heater control valve
- new thermostat
- pressure tested headgaskets, ok!
- polymer upper radiator hose was cracked, replaced it
- replaced a/c compressor and all hoses in 2011

Now here are the symptoms that happen now.

During arizona winter months the car runs completely fine. In 90+ weather the cars temp slightly increases above normal after about a 15+ mile drive. The temp gauge will keep increasing until you blast the heat to bring the level back to slightly above normal. This happens faster when running the a/c.

Now with the a/c problem, vehicle has dual temp controls. The a/c will not blow cold until after 10-15 mins of driving around. You can then hear an audible whisp in the dash when the a/c does finally kick on. Messing with the heat/cold control buttons will sometimes make it turn on sooner or repeatedly turning the a/c on/off will turn it on sooner.

This vehicle has been in a mechanic shop numerous times off and on from march to july. He pretty much gave up! I would love to get this fixed before this summer. Any help/advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, I have found out another problem I have researched and finally found the fix. The clockspring needs replaced. Our airbag light has been on in the dash and the buttons on the wheel for the radio act like a gremlin is messing with me, does all kinds of funky things! I will fix the clockspring soon.

Thanks for any and all help!!
 
Ummmm...... <cough, cough> Degas bottle......<cough, cough>
 
I forgot we replaced the degas bottle in 2008. There are never any coolant leaks.

There is like a rumbly, growl, diesely sound on acceleration only when the temp has gone up above normal. Sometimes its heard right before it overheats on acceleration. When it does this sound its like our warning sign that we know what is about to happen.

Could it be the timing chain causing our problem?
 
LS4me said:
Ummmm...... <cough, cough> Degas bottle......<cough, cough>
Click to expand...

Plus thermostat housing and cap, crossover tube, and lower radiator hose.

As for the AC problem, the diagnostic charge at the dealer (that understands the system) would have cost less than all this work by someone who doesn't know what they are doing.
Was the compressor replaced due to internal failure? If so, and if they didn't replace the receiver/dryer and completely flush the system, your expansion valve may be clogged now. The valve is not expensive, but the labor (entire dash removal) is.
 
tcoche said:
I forgot we replaced the degas bottle in 2008. There are never any coolant leaks.

There is like a rumbly, growl, diesely sound on acceleration only when the temp has gone up above normal. Sometimes its heard right before it overheats on acceleration. When it does this sound its like our warning sign that we know what is about to happen.

Could it be the timing chain causing our problem?
Click to expand...

No on the timing chain. The plastic cooling parts develop tiny cracks. Sometimes, no detectable amount of coolant leaks out, but air is sucked back in every time the engine cools off. This air blocks coolant circulation and causes overheating.

The rumble you hear is coolant boiling in the engine.
 
Thanks for the replies fellas!

The compressor and dryer was replaced. I remember he mentioning the dryer. I also remember something about the compressor clutch. We just said replace it all. Probably the wrong decision but we just wanted it fixed. Guess that decision was wrong...hahaha!!
 
So what do you guys think? Should i take it in and have the a/c diagnosed?? Then for the hell of it replace the expansion valve?? Not sure what to do about the overheating. That has been a serious battle to figure out.

The benefit I have is this car isnt our primary driver. My wife drives a venza and I drive a titan. I been driving the lincoln pretty much every day to save on gas from my titan. Its lifted on 35's and gets horrendous mileage.

Thanks again
 
I wouldn't replace the expansion valve unless it was diagnosed as needing it. I don't think that you understand how expensive it will be to replace the expansion valve!
 
joegr said:
I wouldn't replace the expansion valve unless it was diagnosed as needing it. I don't think that you understand how expensive it will be to replace the expansion valve!
Click to expand...

Oh that isnt something someone with pretty good mechanical skills could do?? I'm pretty good at working on cars.
 
Omg!! Thats insane amount of work. Oh man...not sure what to do now. Its gonna be a horrible summer. I just may drop it off at the stealership and have them look at it.

Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just replace the engine with something totally different and add a new or keep the existing drivetrain.
 
tcoche said:
Omg!! Thats insane amount of work. Oh man...not sure what to do now. Its gonna be a horrible summer. I just may drop it off at the stealership and have them look at it.

Sometimes I wonder if it would be better to just replace the engine with something totally different and add a new or keep the existing drivetrain.
Click to expand...

You seem to be dead set on avoiding the dealer. Like Joe said, pay the relatively inexpensive diagnostic fee and find out what is really wrong. Parts replacers do nothing but separate your cash from your wallet.
 
LS4me said:
You seem to be dead set on avoiding the dealer. Like Joe said, pay the relatively inexpensive diagnostic fee and find out what is really wrong. Parts replacers do nothing but separate your cash from your wallet.
Click to expand...

I do hate dealerships. Who doesnt? They rip you off. But, I'll more than likely pay the diagnose fee and thats it.

This car still has an awesome clean body. I eventually would like to put a tad bigger V8 in it or a nice clean running powerful V6. I want to scrap this entire janky system these engineers developed.
 
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