Water coming from coil socket

[Ryanthelsman]

Im looking too buy this 2004 Lincoln Ls, its been sitting for a long while. It had 88k miles but its very straight and fairly clean. The main issue it it fires right up and idles just fine. But a coil is loose and when rev’d a murky water comes from the coil hole. It bubbles lightly and comes out. The guy says that they recently washed the car and that water could have gotten in that way. It sat without the covers for 1 1/2 years. Does this mean the engines dead or a simple repair or even just some water in the hole? Need help/advice asap.

 

[Ryanthelsman]

Its the 3.9 v8 if that matters

 

[milehighmikey]

It happens, should not be a problem if no compression issues. Does it idle smoothly? There is a seal on the wiper arm that deteriorates and allows water to settle on the engine, leaving you with things like what you see. The seal is replaceable and that is probably all that is wrong.

 

[Ryanthelsman]

It happens, should not be a problem if no compression issues. Does it idle smoothly? There is a seal on the wiper arm that deteriorates and allows water to settle on the engine, leaving you with things like what you see. The seal is replaceable and that is probably all that is wrong.

Very smooth idle. And fires right up. Hadn't tested compression yet but planning too as soon as i get the chance. Thanks for the help.

 

[milehighmikey]

In that case, I would leave it as is and make the purchase, otherwise, you could end up with an undriveable car that needs to be towed from the seller's property. Smooth idle points to simple water puddling and not a compression leak through a cracked head, etc.

 

[04_Sport_LS]

I would be wary (cautious) about buying this car. Any vehicle that has sat for a long time... is gonna have issues when being driven again.

Coils will fail... the cooling system parts will start falling apart... wheel bearings will start making noise due to the grease hardening. The rubber in the suspension parts may fail... Mice may have created a multiple family dwelling and used the wiring to make it...etc.

All new cooling system parts will be a grand to $1200... not including the radiator and a few other pieces.

Make sure the transmission is functioning properly. Drain a little out the tranny plug and check the color of the fluid. It should be red to dark red. If brown... walk away. Some 2003-2004 LS got a bad batch of tranny fluid. Write down the VIN number and go to your local dealer. They should be able to tell you if the was car was built during that time... and if it got the proper additive.

 

[SHORod]

Does the water bubble out when revv'd, even on a cold engine? If so, that seems that somehow compression is getting into that coil/plug well. With luck it's just a loose or damaged spark plug, but it would seem unusual. Did the buyer offer a reason as to why the car has been sitting for so long? Maybe they parked it because they knew it had an issue and it's more than they've wanted or been able to tackle for the past year and a half.

-Rod

 

[04_Sport_LS]

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[AmsterDutch]

Im looking too buy this 2004 Lincoln Ls, its been sitting for a long while. It had 88k miles but its very straight and fairly clean. The main issue it it fires right up and idles just fine. But a coil is loose and when rev’d a murky water comes from the coil hole. It bubbles lightly and comes out. The guy says that they recently washed the car and that water could have gotten in that way. It sat without the covers for 1 1/2 years. Does this mean the engines dead or a simple repair or even just some water in the hole? Need help/advice asap.

The first thing I would do is change the plugs and Coil over plugs all eight and take it for a good 45 minute to 1 hour drive ...pay attention if water continues to sputter out of plug hole

 

[04_Sport_LS]

Seems like a number of people here think the issue might be a bad head gasket or cracked head. Very possible... and may be why it has been parked so long... If the engine was severly overheated at one point.

I would suggest going to an auto parts store and get some cooling system dye (amount based on cooling system cspacity)... and buy a black light from somewhere.

Start the car and let it run for a while (warm up). If the head or gasket is the issue... it will be very noticeable with the dye and light.

If you see dye around the bubbling plug hole... then the head or gasket is bad.

Walk away at that point... unless you are up to doing an engine swap.

 

[Ryanthelsman]

Im looking too buy this 2004 Lincoln Ls, its been sitting for a long while. It had 88k miles but its very straight and fairly clean. The main issue it it fires right up and idles just fine. But a coil is loose and when rev’d a murky water comes from the coil hole. It bubbles lightly and comes out. The guy says that they recently washed the car and that water could have gotten in that way. It sat without the covers for 1 1/2 years. Does this mean the engines dead or a simple repair or even just some water in the hole? Need help/advice asap.

UPDATE: the car is mine! total pos and every time I look at it something new is either missing, or just not plugged in. but i can confirm the bubbling stopped and the seller was right about water getting into it when washed as the car didn't come with ignition coil covers.... all coils are being replaced and some replacement covers have been found.

 

[BILLBOATS]

Im looking too buy this 2004 Lincoln Ls, its been sitting for a long while. It had 88k miles but its very straight and fairly clean. The main issue it it fires right up and idles just fine. But a coil is loose and when rev’d a murky water comes from the coil hole. It bubbles lightly and comes out. The guy says that they recently washed the car and that water could have gotten in that way. It sat without the covers for 1 1/2 years. Does this mean the engines dead or a simple repair or even just some water in the hole? Need help/advice asap.

First I tjhink you mean the coil hole is the spark plug hole. ? If it is then buy a can of com pressed air. Walmart has them around 7 bucks. Go back to the man's car and blow the can's air into the hole, real dry. Then start it and listen if it puts more water out and runs funny. If it does, it might be head gasket . Don't buy the car until you tried my suggestion Billboats 96 mark owner

 

[SHORod]

Unless the spark plug is lose or the head is cracked, there's no way for a damaged head gasket to allow coolant into the plug/coil hole. The spark plug and coil both are in the same hole with the coil piggyback on top of the spark plug. The gasket/seal between the valve cover and the head keeps oil from getting into the plug/coil hole, it does not keep coolant out.

-Rod

 

[BILLBOATS]

Unless the spark plug is lose or the head is cracked, there's no way for a damaged head gasket to allow coolant into the plug/coil hole. The spark plug and coil both are in the same hole with the coil piggyback on top of the spark plug. The gasket/seal between the valve cover and the head keeps oil from getting into the plug/coil hole, it does not keep coolant out.

-Rod

THE AIR CAN IDEA RULES OUT BAD ENGINE RUNNING BECAUSE A DRY HOLE TO START THE INSPECTION WILL NARROW IT DOWN TO IGNITION PROBLEMS OR IF MORE WATER ACCUMULATES ITS THE SOURCE OF THE WATER HAS TO BE KNOWN BEFORE BUYING THE CAR. nOT NECESSARILY THE HEAD GASKET AS YOU POINTED OUT. AIR CAN IS A GOOD PRACTICAL IDEA TO START WITH A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

 

[SHORod]

Yep, I don't disagree with that. With the caveat that a shorting coil because of water in the hole can damage the coil, so even if the cylinder gets dried out from the canned air, the coil may be damaged and still cause a misfire. But certainly drying out the hole is an important step in helping determine the health of the engine.

-Rod

 

[BILLBOATS]

AGREE