OK, the verdict is in... turned out to be the power steering fluid cooling rad... it was the original and mounted in a bad position (rocks, ice, snow, salt, sand, etc)...cost to replace?...$302.00...parts and labour... not too bad.
I think I'll keep it for a while longer.
Enjoy!
I am in desperate need to find out what DCL is. The noise is driving us crazy. We have just purchased our 1991 lincoln from a co-worker. The car looks beautiful, but we need to find out what the DCL is so we can stop this dinging sound. Please help.
Dcl = data communications link.
Hello, I just put a deposit on a 1990 Lincoln Continental and I was really excited about it until I found this sight. It supposedly had one owner with only 75k. 2700 dollars was the price. Runs real nice except for the air suspension or something when the car is still it readjusts itself?? Any how I'm 5 months pregnant with our first child and was changing out my 2 door 1991 Honda accord. It just wasn't functional enough for a car seat and all. I thought the Lincoln would better protect in case of wreck, but we really can't afford any repair to this car for a while. Thinking I should go get my money back! Does anybody think this is a good family car? I don't want to be stranded pregnant or with an infant!
I have a 1994 continental and I want to know how do you know if the head gasket is going bad or is bad.
Regarding the question on the head gasket: drain the oil and check for green (or also orange, nowadays) droplets of anti-freeze, or droplets of brownish water. Anything seeping from the cooling jackets into the crankcase will not mix with oil. Also, if you have a blown head gasket, you will probably have a cloud of steam coming out the tailpipe. Not just the regular exhaust, but an unmistakable huge cloud of pure white steam. Those are the obvious signs. You can also use a compression tester to see if any cylinder seems abnormally low compared to the others, and that could be an indication, although it might also just mean worn rings or bad valve seats.
This is in reply to the Lady who asked if she should get her the down payment back on the 1990 Lincoln Continental.
My advice (and my husbands adamant plea) to you is:
Run, don't walk. Stay away from the money guzzling beast!
Talk about a horrendous MONEY PIT!
Now to say kind and up building things about this beautiful looking Lincoln Continental:
I would otherwise advise you to purchase this inexpensive
vehicle if only you owned FORT KNOX and lived with your own personal mechanic who's whole goal in life is to work on your lovely car. But, sad to tell you... he will not have time to spend with you and your wonderful children because he will be under your beautiful Lincoln Continental most of the life of your car and his.
And, if I had the time to tell you about all the things which have gone wrong with the running portion of my car, I would eventually develop blisters on the ends of my fingers, typing you my latest best selling Book that advises against anyone who is thinking about purchasing a Lincoln Continental.
If you have access to the internet, please check consumer's report and purchase a vehicle according to the rate they give them.
I would think that would be the best advice I can give to you.
From a 1990 Lincoln Continental owner (right now my car is on the slab waiting to be traded for a different car. Shocks are out again etc etc... leaking all fluids...etc. etc...
1990 signature edition and no problems for five years, until now:
Yes, it has been a wonderful, trouble free car, and more room and comfort than many modern apartments!
However, here are the current problems, which came all of s sudden:
Front air bags or shocks deflate when car is parked. Sometimes they re inflate when it is started, other times not.
2 weeks later, the batttery was dead (that's a new development) and then when I jump started it, it ran for 15 minutes or so, but when I tried to drive it the WHOLE SYSTEM DIED. yes, just crashed, like a house goes dark when the power grid goes off.
I suspect (hope) it is a mere FUSE in the control/instrument panel, but I sure don't know.
Anyone have this problem, can share any experience or advice?
Thanks much.
1990 lincoln owner.
Fser@cox.net.
Alright just bought a 1990 continental for $200 bucks from a good friend, he told me it has a power steering fluid leek, so I checked it out when I bout it, and the fluids were going up and down, now 3 days later, I noticed the that I'm leeking a lot, but my fluid isn't going down at all, is somwhat of a brown water, and I'm getting somkind of white smoke/liquid coming out of my exhuast, don't know if its the head or what. Also trannys shifting hard from 1st to 2nd, both front window regulators are out, and when I was cleaning my car today the battery died on me, had to get it jumped now the check dcl lights coming on. can't complain to much being I got it for $200, well see how it goes, anyone have suggestions on the leak? it seems to come out of the hose, but not so sure because it doest leak so much when sitting.
I have a 90 Lincoln Continental from my friend for free in FL. I live in Ohio so I started driving it home; had all kinds of problems, so I put in in the shop in GA, spent like 840 for tie rods, head gasket, rotors, brakes and a few other things. The car was sitting for a while.
Ran great for the rest of the ride back to Ohio, then it got really cold and the back of the car never came back up. The front drops down from time to time as well.
The check DCL light keeps coming on and the battery light is flashing and charging up (car acts real funny when this happens).
Was thinking about changing from the air suspension to
http://www.strutmasters.com/catalog.php?cat=35
Was wondering if you guys think it's a good idea?
I bot my 1994 Continental for $1500, July 28, never going to forget cos it was and still is my first car. I drive it to school everyday, so far I all had to repair was the radiator, but recently the "check DCL" light starts to pop up and bugs the hell out of me.. by reading the comments I see that I'm not the only one. I'm sure the next car I buy is going to be a Lincoln.
Interesting forum, hilarious comments, Jim Davis (creator of Garfield cartoons) once said we don't laugh at things because they are funny, but rather because they are true... that describes this forum to a T.
Lots of familiar info on 1994 Continental, Signature series...here's my $0.02 for anyone considering getting one of these sandbags...
Parents car, got it for song and dance several years ago used. Was OK for first 6 months or so then...
Tranny went (replaced twice outright, also had pan gasket leak).
Head gaskets - the car should have come with an extra set as well as extra heads since they are prone to crack. Swear there is a sensor that says "new owner/driver, time to blow." White smoke and lingering smell of coolant are something you just have to deal with on this car.
Air bag suspension failed. Car sank at the driver rear corner and would not rise. THIS IS THE KISS OF DEATH. Replaced several years ago with aftermarket hard-ride coils after discovering that ONE corner airbag assembly was $900 from the factory. Say what? Got an aftermarket coil spring replacement kit for less than half that price (for the whole car), wasn't too bad to install, brother and I did it ourselves... definitely worth it, still rides great.
Check DCL light started coming on in the past 2 days. This is a minor problem compared to some of the other stuff.
Automatic door locks quit functioning on passenger side, needs manually unlocked from inside. Horrendous grinding sound from locks when you put it in gear (automatic locks). Easy to lock keys in by accident (family member did this once). Keep a spare key somewhere safe.
Windows have failed in down and up position, all around, new regulators cured the problem but you never know when it will strike next... careful at those fast food drive-throughs...and in colder weather.
I do wish to add one positive note:
Steering is smooth as silk, not sure how Lincoln does it. Only thing I've ever driven with smoother steering was Mom's 1962 Buick Electra 225. Unbelievable.
Good luck to anyone buying this car, the ride and steering are great, but the car can become a money pit in a hurry.
I purchased a 92 Lincoln Continental Executive four months ago with 150K miles on it from a mechanic. I had researched this car before buying and knew there would be some repair / maintenance costs associated with it upfront. The vehicle had an aftermarket suspension system installed just before I purchased it and the head gaskets had been replaced recently as well. So far I have replaced the throttle position sensor (minor), repaired the A/C system (major), and had the transmission rebuilt. I too have the check DCL light issue and erratic oil pressure reading and annoying beeping. I found the module that produces the beeping noise under the dash and put several layers of duct tape on it which helped mute it. I just drove from Virginia to Missouri and had very little problems. If anyone finds a fix for the check DCL light, please share.
I purchased a 1990 Lincoln Continental, with 51,000 original miles and in excellent condition, for $1300 from a relative who was the first owner ordered new. I now have 63,000 miles and the left rear air shock leaks air, will lift but goes back down when driving.
Also my power steering fluid is leaking daily, but I can't find the leak? And no visible signs of leaking on the ground where I park everyday. What could be the cause of losing fluid? Where can I find good replacement parts online for my car in general?
I love the car, great ride, it looks good and I get offers all the time to buy it from others. Even an 10 year old commented to me that I had a nice car!!! The reviews here seem to be less the great, but I'm keep the Lincoln; any advice would be appreciated.
Gary.
Maybe the power steering leaks somewhere on the high pressure side so it won't drip when it's parked.
I would use Lucas Oil Power Steering Fix to replace lost fluid.
Online parts: RockAuto.com.