1997 Lincoln Town Car Executive 4.6 from North America
Summary:
A very comfortable and quiet car that gets good gas mileage
Faults:
I recently purchased a one owner Lincoln Town Car that had 54003 miles on the odometer. I verified the mileage to be correct by checking with the selling and servicing dealer as well as checking it on Auto Check. So I know the mileage is correct.
The other day I was driving the car on the highway about 65 miles an hour and the engine starting missing. I took it to the mechanic and he found there was no compression on the number 3 cylinder. I watched the check being performed and am satisfied the repair is needed. I don't know the exact amount of the repair but the mechanic estimated the repair to run about $1900.00; a valve spring broke, the valve dropped and was hit by the piston causing the valve to be damaged.
I am completely happy with this car even-tho I have only owned it for a short period of time. I don't blame the former owner; at this time I blame the manufacturer because I have now talked to another mechanic that has seen this problem happen several times on the 4.6 engine.
I previously owned a 95 Lincoln Town Car with the same engine that went 215,000 miles without major problems and I expected the same out of this 97. I love the good mileage I have gotten on the highway, about 25.3 and it is very quiet and the seats are very comfortable. It is an old fashioned design, but I didn't mind that so much.
Since this failure was so sudden and unexpected and not due to abuse, I now wonder what the chances of it happening again as soon as it is repaired. Right now I've lost confidence with this engine and I am going to sell the car. I know other owners have had problems with the manifolds cracking, but I thought that was the only major problem with these engines.
Sorry Ford, I am going to pass on any of your products on this engine in the future.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 3rd August, 2008
5th Aug 2008, 01:34
I am on my third Grand Marquis and I have never heard of a valve being damaged on a 4.6, either your mechanic is ripping you off or you just got a bad one, I am sorry to hear about that.