New LS and Questions!

[nghtshd88]

I picked up an 04 Lincoln LS a week ago (v6) with 85k miles and had a few questions as Im going to be working on it this weekend!

In need to do one of the rear axles seals and realized its a press in, is there a tool I can rent to get it out and how can I press the new one in easily? I kinda don't wanna putz around with a screwdriver as its probably stuck in there! I'll be doing the brakes at the same time so Id like to do it all at once. If I remember I picked up 75w-140? for the differential as it has a little bit of wine.

I also need to do the oil pan seal and I realized the compressor and alternator is in the way?

I see there are only air filters in the seats? Is there a cabin one somewhere?

Where is the head light alignment screw?

In the engine bay, is it necessary to change the power steering filter?

Lastly I need to change the coolant, I assume the drain plug is on the radiator, but where is the bleeder on top?

Guess thats it lol, not sure if theres anything else, although Id like to find the color matching grill but cant find any?

 

[joegr]

Searching this forum would get your answers quicker...

...I also need to do the oil pan seal and I realized the compressor and alternator is in the way?...

Changing the oil pan gasket on the V8 is very easy. The V6 is another story. There's a lot more than two things in the way. Also, there is another gasket above the oil pan gasket that is often the source of the leak instead. Take a closer look and you'll see what I mean.

...I see there are only air filters in the seats? Is there a cabin one somewhere?

...

Yes, under the hood, passenger side, under the wiper cowl.

...Where is the head light alignment screw?...

http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/showthread.php?t=46239

...
In the engine bay, is it necessary to change the power steering filter?...

You have a power steering filter?
I only have a screen at the bottom of the reservoir.

...Lastly I need to change the coolant, I assume the drain plug is on the radiator, but where is the bleeder on top?...

There are two air bleeds, one at the front of the engine, and one back near the brake booster.
This next point is a major one!
You must follow, to the letter, the factory fill and bleed procedure. The one linked before is for gen I, but should fairly well apply to the gen II V6.
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/tech/Lincoln-LS/CoolingSystemDraining/

 

[nghtshd88]

Hmm, another gasket. What is it called in particular?

As for the coolant that sounds like an easy normal process. Is there any particular reason you point out that its a major point on this car? Changing because its rusty!

Hopefully the axle seal isnt hard.

 

[joegr]

Hmm, another gasket. What is it called in particular?

As for the coolant that sounds like an easy normal process. Is there any particular reason you point out that its a major point on this car? Changing because its rusty!

Hopefully the axle seal isnt hard.

Don't follow it to the letter, and you will see why I consider it a major point.

 

[hite337]

Don't follow it to the letter, and you will see why I consider it a major point.

Joe is right. If you dont bleed the cooling system EXACTLY as it says you will never stop overheating. Joegr is a LS guru and if he responds to one of your questions you can take his reply to the bank.

 

[scjmc]

+1

 

[1LoudLS]

+17

 

[nghtshd88]

Alright well thats odd, I was just saying it seems simple to swap coolant but didnt know a smidgen of air in this car would cause the whole thing to overheat.

So I went to change my rear axle seal and apparently you have to dismantle the rear to get the diff cover off to drain it all out? On my mustang it was out in the open. Sigh..

 

[Deleted member 19827]

Hey Joe

I have an oil leak as well on my 2004 Lincoln LS V8. I was reading your response and your always on point. I may replace oil pan gasket my self, but its a little cold out here in TX, so I a little lazy, LOL. If I decided to let a mechanic do it, can you elaborate more on why some of these mechanics keep quoting there are 2 oil pan gaskets on the V8, and it is more expensive to get that repaired, compared to the bottom oil pan being repaired. From reading your post, are these mechanics getting the V6 Lincoln quotes mixed up with the V8 oil pan repair quotes?

 

[joegr]

..., can you elaborate more on why some of these mechanics keep quoting there are 2 oil pan gaskets on the V8, and it is more expensive to get that repaired, compared to the bottom oil pan being repaired. From reading your post, are these mechanics getting the V6 Lincoln quotes mixed up with the V8 oil pan repair quotes?

The V8 "oil pan" gasket is very easy to change. If this is where your leak is, then you have no worries. Unfortunately, the V8 oil pan is not like the traditional oil pan that you might expect, it does not cover the entire bottom of the engine. Instead there is another piece that is just above the oil pan and does run all the way to the back of the engine. The service manual calls it the "sump body." It is much much more difficult to remove and reseal with the engine in the car. (The service manual only shows doing this on an engine that has been removed from the car.)

Sump body


The area at the top (with numbers 5,6,9, & 10) is where the "oil pan" is attached to the "sump body."

Oil pan