What should I ask the dealership?

StewieMason

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Guys and Gals,
This week I have noticed a smell coming from my vents after driving for 10-15 minutes in the city. No one in the car with me can tell me what the smell is so I am taking it to the shop. I have a $200 deductible and I am going to have them check as much as I can possibly have them check... what should I have them check? I have a 2000 V-8 with, from what I can tell, the usual problems. Bucking around 50 is the only thing I know I am going to ask them to check as well as the smell. I live in an apt. complex so I dont know if the leaking on the ground is from my car. I dont know anything about cars but I dont want to get hosed...
I also used to get a check engine light for the bucking, but I cleared that at AutoZone and wrote down the codes.
So, What all should I tell them or ask from them?
~Stew
 
Have the valve cover gaskets been replaced, on your car.

If you dont know, then tell the stealership, you smell oil in the car,and you think you have oil leak. The valve covers leak on the 00-02, new gaskets will solve this problem.

Also the bucking at 50mph could be COP being fouled out by the oil leak in the valve cover gasket.

Hope this helps, good luck
mac
 
The chances are that Mac's correct--this sounds like the old "leaking gasket killing the coils" problem. Definitely have them check for oil in the plug wells; dollars to donuts says they'll find some. My bet would be that they'll have to replace the valve cover gaskets and at least one of the COPs.
 
Is it a musty smell? There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) on this particular problem if it isn't an oil burning smell. According to Ford it could be the starter tether restricting the cowl plenum drain passage. If you are smelling an oily burn smell then that is more than likely your valve covers leaking. If what you smell is a musty smell then see the TSB below. There is a repair procedure for it.

A/C - Musty Odors
Article No.
02-21-15

10/28/02

CLIMATE CONTROL - MUSTY ODOR FROM CLIMATE CONTROL

LINCOLN:
2000-2002 LS

ISSUE

Some vehicles may emit a musty odor from the climate control system. This may be caused by the starter cable tether restricting the Cowl Plenum Drain Passage.

ACTION

Adjust the starter cable tether away from the Cowl Plenum Drain Passage and remove any accumulated debris. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.
 
Smell from the AC could be the cabin filter needing replacement--also, might want to check the evaporator drain--ensure that's not plugged. The TSB Gray Ghost posted is certainly worth looking into as well, because that's LS-specific.

For the driveability concern... might be oil on the coils/plugs, sure.


Best,

--The Clown to the Left
 
I am taking it to the dealership at 1:30 with this thread printed out and in hand. I am going to assume it is also the coils since the smell is definately not musty (more pungant) and I replaced the cabin air filter last week, which apparently did not help. I am hoping that they look at it and say, "this is a textbook case of the 2000 LS, give me a couple of hours and you'll be set." I am crossing my fingers, I just hope they diagnose it correctly. I hear horror stories on here.
 
StewieMason said:
I am hoping that they look at it and say, "this is a textbook case of the 2000 LS, give me a couple of hours and you'll be set." I am crossing my fingers, I just hope they diagnose it correctly. I hear horror stories on here.

LOL, good luck with that!!!! Let us know how it goes.
 
Well, I am out an LS for today. They gave me a Ford F150 and they are paying for it since they couldn't get to my car today. I should know something either tonight or first thing in the morning. I told them I had an oil smell and actually gave them my thread printout... minus the "stealership" line... lol
 
Just got off of the phone with the dealership... they smell nothing and they tell me it is not a leak.
I asked if they checked the bucking between 40-55 mph and they hadn't. He is going to be checking that tonight and calling me in the morning.
 

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