Terrapin88
Active LVC Member
Hey guys. Great site. I've been on here for days sponging up as much info as I can specific to these cars. Glad I found this site. I wanted to say hello and thanks for the wealth of info I've picked up so far.
I bought a 98 Continental a few days ago for short money. 155K, runs and drives very well for the most part, seems to shift well, all the gadgets work, Ice cold AC, JBL w/6 disc changer, good tires all around, body is very clean except for a couple of small less than perfect rust repairs w/touch up paint near both rear fenders. Even still the car is very presentable, and coming from a well used and tired 2000 Buick Regal with 200K on it, this Conti is like floating around on a fast, plush leather couch with lumbar support. So far I am loving it. Haven't had a V8 in many years so the power is a nice change of pace. Even the audio system is reasonably good considering its age and technology.
I may find more issues as I learn this car, but so far it only has a few things that I need to deal with like a noisy pulley (praying for idler), an occasional sputtering or maybe light bucking...not sure exactly what word to use to describe it properly but it immediately makes me think coils and plugs, a slight pull to the left for a quick second when braking, and for the first few minutes after starting and driving I can smell light exhaust fumes in the cabin. After a few minutes the smell is gone. It's not overwhelming but I can smell it so diagnosing the cause is on my to do list. The exhaust seems too quiet for a leak, but I haven't had time to really dig into it and look it over good yet. Any thoughts on the exhaust smell? Also the console shifter is stiff and does not slide as easily as I believe it should. Is there some common issue with those? Maybe a cable to lubricate?
I've replaced the pcv valve and hose as well as the breather hose. This weekend I'll pop in the new pcv and breather gaskets that I forgot to get when I did the pcv. I've replaced the air filter, cabin filter (I've never seen one that nasty before). I've got new plugs, coils and a fuel filter, oil filter to install this weekend so far. I also picked up a 3 book factory service manual from Ebay that is taking it's sweet time to arrive. I have no maintenance records or any idea what has or hasn't been done to the car by the PO. I'm replacing the normal "tune up" parts that I do whenever I buy a used car. I am hoping that will cure the sputtering I feel occasionally. Cleaning the MAF is on my list too. Am I missing anything that I should arbitrarily replace or inspect when I do the coils, plugs and fuel filter this weekend?
Ideally I would like to have the car looked over by a shop that actually knows these cars so they can give me a list of any issues they can find that might need attention. Is there anyone near Plymouth, MA that could recommend an honest shop? I'd drive 45 minutes or so if the mechanic was worth it.
Thanks for looking.
C-
I bought a 98 Continental a few days ago for short money. 155K, runs and drives very well for the most part, seems to shift well, all the gadgets work, Ice cold AC, JBL w/6 disc changer, good tires all around, body is very clean except for a couple of small less than perfect rust repairs w/touch up paint near both rear fenders. Even still the car is very presentable, and coming from a well used and tired 2000 Buick Regal with 200K on it, this Conti is like floating around on a fast, plush leather couch with lumbar support. So far I am loving it. Haven't had a V8 in many years so the power is a nice change of pace. Even the audio system is reasonably good considering its age and technology.
I may find more issues as I learn this car, but so far it only has a few things that I need to deal with like a noisy pulley (praying for idler), an occasional sputtering or maybe light bucking...not sure exactly what word to use to describe it properly but it immediately makes me think coils and plugs, a slight pull to the left for a quick second when braking, and for the first few minutes after starting and driving I can smell light exhaust fumes in the cabin. After a few minutes the smell is gone. It's not overwhelming but I can smell it so diagnosing the cause is on my to do list. The exhaust seems too quiet for a leak, but I haven't had time to really dig into it and look it over good yet. Any thoughts on the exhaust smell? Also the console shifter is stiff and does not slide as easily as I believe it should. Is there some common issue with those? Maybe a cable to lubricate?
I've replaced the pcv valve and hose as well as the breather hose. This weekend I'll pop in the new pcv and breather gaskets that I forgot to get when I did the pcv. I've replaced the air filter, cabin filter (I've never seen one that nasty before). I've got new plugs, coils and a fuel filter, oil filter to install this weekend so far. I also picked up a 3 book factory service manual from Ebay that is taking it's sweet time to arrive. I have no maintenance records or any idea what has or hasn't been done to the car by the PO. I'm replacing the normal "tune up" parts that I do whenever I buy a used car. I am hoping that will cure the sputtering I feel occasionally. Cleaning the MAF is on my list too. Am I missing anything that I should arbitrarily replace or inspect when I do the coils, plugs and fuel filter this weekend?
Ideally I would like to have the car looked over by a shop that actually knows these cars so they can give me a list of any issues they can find that might need attention. Is there anyone near Plymouth, MA that could recommend an honest shop? I'd drive 45 minutes or so if the mechanic was worth it.
Thanks for looking.
C-
I had read your how-to post already. Very informative, thanks.