Various Questions about 2000 lincoln LS

[KevinJ]

Hello everyone. I have read posts about using the seach funtion. I tried and am new and it did not work for some reason. I have various questions. this may be a long post, I am sorry for that.

I am the owner of a Black 2000 Lincoln LS, automatic transmission, V8 engine with 100,300 miles on it.

1. I have to do spark plugs, found oil in the tubes, so now am doing VC gaskets. Does it make a difference wether or not I use motorcraft plugs, i figure it does, so got the part number off the plug and am going to order the same plug. AGSP32F ( F ) means finewire? is there a better plug i could use?

2. the owners manual says I need to replace the EGR valve. I heard it was (in?) integrated into the valve cover. Is this true? so while doing the valve cover I should replace the EGR valve then, it would seem. it says to replace the EGR vavle at 105,000 miles. is this correct, and should I replace it? second question : how many EGR valves? if they are integrated into the VC then would there be 2 ?

3. While doing the VC gaskets, the intake plenum must come off. do i need a gasket for that to put it back on? it does not seem to leak or anything, but was taught to replace gaskets instead of reusing them.

4. I have an automatic transmission: lincoln.com says to replace the fluid and filter at 150,000 miles. but thought the owners manual said a different number. I have not done a fluid change yet, bought the car with 85,000 miles and now it has 100,000 miles. should I have replaced fluid/ filter already?

4.5 fourth gear. I see a spot for 4th gear to light up on the dash when the sun hits my dash just right.( green light) but it does not light up. I have an automatic trans, with a d4 on the selector ( handshifter), but it does not seem to shift into 4th gear, because when i shift into 5th from 4th then my rpm's dont change...any. is the the way it is supposed to be? it is v8 engine... could come like this from factory? when i shift into d4 ( handshift) then it says d5 on the dash with the green light. maybe PCM? or little box gear selector thing on tranny?

5. I have an airbag code constantly flashing. annoying. it has been traced to the connection under the seat with a scanner. does anyone encounter the same problem? is there a easy fix for this problem? i COULD replace the connector if need be, which am contemplating doing. The light comes on after moving the seat all the way forward and it kind of dislodges the connector. design flaw?

6. brake squeek. I replaced my rotors/ brakes with a package from ebay: 220$ for a set of 4 slotted/ drilled rotors and posi-quiet brake pads. got no oil on the pads, washed the rotors in soapy water, then sprayed with clean water to de magnetize, but still front brake squeak. anyone else encounter this? what is a possible fix?

7. power steering pump. I bought an aftermarket warranty and my power steering pump went foul. whining like a dead rabbit. I had it replaced once under aftermarket warranty, it squealed and knocked before i drove it off. i was like WTF, this is not right. it leaked out of front main seal. it was Replaced once more for free, ( i had already paid deposit first time) it leaked out of same seal 2 weeks later. now the third pump is in and it kind of whines ( A little bit) under a load. they say that is the way it should sound. I move my wheel when stationary and i can hear the pump a little... Is this the same with your lincolns? or are they feeding me crap?

I have many, many questions and am hoping to become a gold member. I have pictures of my car and custom bass i made up in the trunk. I like this group here, have read a couple very bright ideas from here.

Is there any discounts we get for becoming a gold memebr on online parts for my car?

Thanks, Kevin

 

[Quik LS]

some thoughts

1. I have to do spark plugs, found oil in the tubes, so now am doing VC gaskets. Does it make a difference wether or not I use motorcraft plugs, i figure it does, so got the part number off the plug and am going to order the same plug. AGSP32F ( F ) means finewire? is there a better plug i could use?

for stock engine the stock plugs are fine - mine had Bosch Platinums in it, some had NGKs.

2. the owners manual says I need to replace the EGR valve. I heard it was (in?) integrated into the valve cover. Is this true? so while doing the valve cover I should replace the EGR valve then, it would seem. it says to replace the EGR vavle at 105,000 miles. is this correct, and should I replace it? second question : how many EGR valves? if they are integrated into the VC then would there be 2 ?

the EGR valve is on the driver's side of the intake, up top, backside of the throttlebody. you can see it - vacuum line running to the top, the brass exhaust tube running into the bottom.

3. While doing the VC gaskets, the intake plenum must come off. do i need a gasket for that to put it back on? it does not seem to leak or anything, but was taught to replace gaskets instead of reusing them.

the intake o-rings gaskets are reusable.

4. I have an automatic transmission: lincoln.com says to replace the fluid and filter at 150,000 miles. but thought the owners manual said a different number. I have not done a fluid change yet, bought the car with 85,000 miles and now it has 100,000 miles. should I have replaced fluid/ filter already?

some say every 30k, some say every 60k, .... other claim it is 'sealed for life' - which would be about 100k. so, yes, time for a fluid change.

4.5 fourth gear. I see a spot for 4th gear to light up on the dash when the sun hits my dash just right.( green light) but it does not light up. I have an automatic trans, with a d4 on the selector ( handshifter), but it does not seem to shift into 4th gear, because when i shift into 5th from 4th then my rpm's dont change...any. is the the way it is supposed to be? it is v8 engine... could come like this from factory? when i shift into d4 ( handshift) then it says d5 on the dash with the green light. maybe PCM? or little box gear selector thing on tranny?

.....hmmmmm - it should say D4

5. I have an airbag code constantly flashing. annoying. it has been traced to the connection under the seat with a scanner. does anyone encounter the same problem? is there a easy fix for this problem? i COULD replace the connector if need be, which am contemplating doing. The light comes on after moving the seat all the way forward and it kind of dislodges the connector. design flaw?

common issue - discussed almost weekly here, search for LCF Code or Airbag. the wires running into the connector are likely broken. here is a thread on topic - > http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=7068

6. brake squeek. I replaced my rotors/ brakes with a package from ebay: 220$ for a set of 4 slotted/ drilled rotors and posi-quiet brake pads. got no oil on the pads, washed the rotors in soapy water, then sprayed with clean water to de magnetize, but still front brake squeak. anyone else encounter this? what is a possible fix?

have you bedded the pads properly? are the caliper slide bolts free?

7. power steering pump. I bought an aftermarket warranty and my power steering pump went foul. whining like a dead rabbit. I had it replaced once under aftermarket warranty, it squealed and knocked before i drove it off. i was like WTF, this is not right. it leaked out of front main seal. it was Replaced once more for free, ( i had already paid deposit first time) it leaked out of same seal 2 weeks later. now the third pump is in and it kind of whines ( A little bit) under a load. they say that is the way it should sound. I move my wheel when stationary and i can hear the pump a little... Is this the same with your lincolns? or are they feeding me crap?

not mine.

 

[SPSully]

1. I have to do spark plugs, found oil in the tubes, so now am doing VC gaskets. Does it make a difference wether or not I use motorcraft plugs, i figure it does, so got the part number off the plug and am going to order the same plug. AGSP32F ( F ) means finewire? is there a better plug i could use?

plugs are wierd... you can follow the trend and yes there is data to back different performance "gains" with different plugs. It all comes down to your preference. I run NGK irridiums, but I know for a fact that other members use Copper plugs due to the kind of burn they get. All up to you. Witha stock power plant, it really doesnt matter too too much

3. While doing the VC gaskets, the intake plenum must come off. do i need a gasket for that to put it back on? it does not seem to leak or anything, but was taught to replace gaskets instead of reusing them.

honestly, how much did you pay for car? And how much is a gasket? Need it or not I would say your teachings are right. Better safe than sorry, just replace all gaskets when resealing

7. power steering pump. I bought an aftermarket warranty and my power steering pump went foul. whining like a dead rabbit. I had it replaced once under aftermarket warranty, it squealed and knocked before i drove it off. i was like WTF, this is not right. it leaked out of front main seal. it was Replaced once more for free, ( i had already paid deposit first time) it leaked out of same seal 2 weeks later. now the third pump is in and it kind of whines ( A little bit) under a load. they say that is the way it should sound. I move my wheel when stationary and i can hear the pump a little... Is this the same with your lincolns? or are they feeding me crap?

all steering pumps are essentially the same. Its a hydraulic pump. No they shouldnt squeal.... ever. Fords for some reason tend to do so after a while. My F-150 did, my stang did, and my ex wifes focus even did. The LS doesnt as of yet. But to answer your question smack that guy up side his head and tell him to fix the damn thing..... RIGHT THIS TIME.



oh yeah, you can buy new pumps and rebuilt pumps...... if they are paying to replace it, make sure that they are replacing with a new one not a rebuilt. Damn ford dealer pulled a similar trick with a tranny on my truck, then thought I was crazy when I came back and said it crapped the bed a month later!

 

[Jayce 1971]

Does the intake plenum have to come off?

There is an article in the tech section on changing the cam (valve) cover gaskets. They don't show removal of the intake plenum as part of the procedure. I would check it out before you start, might save some time and frustration. Anyone else have any insight into this?

 

[KevinJ]

thanks for the help everyone!
so when replacing the VC gaskets i dont need to drain coolant?
that was for intake plenum i think. i got a little confused i am sorry.

 

[KevinJ]

on the brake squeek question:

I replaced the hardware kit ( the metal clips and brackets that sit on the caliper mounting bracket), but put NO grease on it. for the front side. I had a slide pin frozen in my mounting bracket that took me 3 hours to get out, trying to temper the metal, heat the outside to break the rust while working it back and forth did not even work, I used a frickin tranny gear puller on it as well, being a moron, thinking it would come out. it didnt. finally put it in a vise and worked the bouger out. replaced the pin with a new one( put grease in there too ) put all new boots and upper clips on the front as well. The brakes are definately seated correctly, i double checked this twice haha. i got no brake fluid on my pads because I used a piece of tube to drain into a bucket.

But i still have a little bit of a squeek sounds like pad to rotor, both front brakes, they are NEW, so maybe need break in time? but it has been 3 weeks... so that is kinda out the window. Rotors drilled/slotted and posi-quiet ceramic pads...anything else that may make them squeek or a possible fix?
I didnt lube the little metal "C" clip that gets put onto the caliper mounting bracket. maybe that is the problem?

oh gosh, the back were fun. it was my first rodeo with the slotted pistons so i was trying to push the bougers and not twist. finally went to autozone and got loan a tool. YESSS! i was happy haha. I did not know of this forum then and found the manuals to be over 120$ for each ( 3) of them. ouch. and no cheap ones.

 

[Quik LS]

thanks for the help everyone!
so when replacing the VC gaskets i dont need to drain coolant?
that was for intake plenum i think. i got a little confused i am sorry.

there are two coolant lines running to the throttlebody (so you cannot pull the intake off without removing those lines) - to keep the TB from icing up in the winter. if you can pinch them off, pull them off the TB and ensure they will not leak coolant into the open intake - then you do not have to drain the coolant. If you're unsure - draining the coolant will be safer.