Few questions and concerns.

[LS_702]

Hello,

I'm a new owner of a 2002 Lincoln 3.9 LSE and I've tried searching this site for the exact ac problem but i'm unable to find it.

A/C bows warm when at idle or stopped, however it blows nice and cold when it's above 2k rpm, even when parked. It blows coldest when driving of speeds of 40 mph and greater.

I've been told 3 different ideas on the problem so far.

1. O'reilys suggest check the oil level

2. Friend says it might be the cooling fan not properly engaging, however my car has never overheated.

3. Mechanic says it's the compressor after he hooked up gauges on it and it reads, high pressure hose "low" but low pressure hose "high"

I've already brought and got it back from the dealership where i purchased it from where he promised to have my ac working. However, it still has the same problem as before, dealership said they replaced the compressor, but i havn't had time to put gauges on it. ideas 1 and 2 were post bringing it to the dealership.

Other than that i

I have a set of es sway bar bushings that i will put on tomorrow in hopes it will get rid of that noise i hear when i drive over bumps.

I also have a set of valve cover gaskets that i'll put on Saturday after finding out one of my spark plug tube seals is leaking.
I do have a question on this, I just put new plug where the seal is leaking, Should i replace it with another plug or will it be ok to reuse?

I'm also on a budget so i bought a set(8) of ignition coils on Amazon for $76.53 Dollars + free shipping.
Has anyone heard or used Evan-Fischer? it's the company that made these coils. It comes with a 1 year unlimited mileage warranty, so i figure they should be good for at least 2 years till i can afford real coil.

Thank you in advance
Chris

 

[joegr]

Usually, it is the compressor with that symptom. If they have really replaced the compressor, then it is going to be the thermal expansion valve. The whole dash has to come out to replace that.

Note that suggestion 1 is just plain silly. Most of the people I have encountered working at parts places don't know nearly as much about cars as they think they do.

Suggestion 2 is not bad, but I assume they ruled that out when they did the pressure test.

It doesn't matter if you replace the plug again, or if you replace all the plugs at the same time as the coils, like you are supposed to do. I say it doesn't matter, because that $77 set of coils is going to cause you all sorts of problems either way. Better get to saving up for a set of catalytic converters.

 

[jjcool00]

There should be some sort of sticky up top saying "DO NOT BUY CHEAP PARTS FOR THE LS." Especially coils. Most other cars you can get away with it, because even if you ruin the cat, they are cheap. The OEM cat for this car? $1,200. For ONE.

 

[LS_702]

I actually didn't know that I'm suppose to replace coils and plugs at the same time. I thought it's ok to reuse coils as long as they're good that's why I just thought of replacing the plugs with ngk iridiums's. I'm was just curious if I'd have to replace the new plug I just put in if has been swimming in oil with a failed coil

Being that I don't have a job I really can't afford to buy a set of recommended coils so the cheap ones will have to do for now, hopefully I'll have a job soon so I can afford to buy the recommended coils before it destroys the cat. I've been only using 91 octane so hopefully it helps out.

thanks for the replies

 

[joegr]

The cheap ones will cost you money, not save it.

Bad coil damages spark plug.
Damaged spark plug kills new coil.
Repeat over and over...
This is why plugs should be changed when changing coils.

 

[gcwimmer]

The cheap ones will cost you money, not save it.

Bad coil damages spark plug.
Damaged spark plug kills new coil.
Repeat over and over...
This is why plugs should be changed when changing coils.

And ignoring will bring replacing the CAT's in the mix.

 

[purevilpleasure]

Ahhh...so the ac working while driving but not when parked can be the compressor too?

Expansion valve too?

 

[joegr]

Ahhh...so the ac working while driving but not when parked can be the compressor too?

Expansion valve too?

By my experience, this is the order of probability from most to least.

1. Cooling fan.
2. Compressor.
3. Expansion valve.

 

[purevilpleasure]

Alright...I'll toss this one in the mix....cool when driving....warm when idling and hissing when idling....

I still need to check the high side...I haven't been able to get to my gauges.

 

[tireman]

Check for obstructions in between the radiator and other condensors. Sometimes leaves plug up the area not allowing air to circulate. Next toss in a can of 134a and see what happens.