1989 Lincoln Town Car car wont start/spark plugs dirty

Tiny
JASMICALL
  • MEMBER
  • 1989 LINCOLN TOWN CAR
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
I just bought a 1989 licoln towncar. I replaced the plus, wires heater hoses and air intake temp sensor, the car started but it would not accelerate very well. It got up to about 30 mph, and it was stalling out. I replaced the fuel filter, and then the car would not start at all. It cranks, but it wont turn over. I pulled out a spark plug and it was very dirty. It is black. Obviously I think that this is the problem, but I cant figure out why they are so dirty. It was only driven about 2 miles on the new plugs and wires, and they look like they were driven for 2 years. The black is fairly easy to clean off, and I am going to sand them down to clean them up. I am quite sure that this is only going to happen again immediatly though. Any ideas on what could be causing this? Please help! My family needs this car to get around as it is the only transport we have. I am going crazy trying to figure this out!
Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 1:51 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Hi jasmicall, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation

I replaced the fuel filter, and then the car would not start at all. It cranks, but it wont turn over.

Lets do below and comeback with some results this will give me an idea what direction to take to knock this problem

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

If both fuel and spark is present-check the valve and ignition timing, this will lead you to problems
with compression and valves opening and closing at the wrong time/broken or jumped timing
belt/chain
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Sunday, July 18th, 2010 AT 3:44 AM
Tiny
JASMICALL
  • MEMBER
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Sapk plugs and wires are fine. Feul line is clear to the engine as well as to the pump. Gas is being pumped, but not much pressure. Was told to replace fuel pump.
I was trying to replace my fuel pump and getting ready to drop the tank, when I had trouble getting the fuel filler detatched. I looked in the trunk to see if there were any bolts holding it on in the back, and I noticed a hose that is connected to a plastic thong that goes around the fuel filler. The plastic is broken just above the hose, and I was wondering if this could cause the fuel pump to have less pressure. I was also wondering exactly what the function of the hose is, as I could not find it in the haynes manual. Do I still need to replace the fuel pump? Please help! Thank you.
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dunno where that hose goes to or its purpose-If the fuel filter is leaking the fuel pressure will drop.

. Gas is being pumped, but not much pressure.-The fuel pump must deliver the correct fuel pressure and volume at all times. You need to verify the fuel pressure by checking it with a fuel pressure tester to rule it out
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 3:04 AM
Tiny
JASMICALL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
The hose is connected to some kind of resivoir that surrounds the entry to the fuel filler directly behind the body and can be seen by looking in the trunk, and the goes into the tank through the trunk, it is only about 10- 12 inches long. Any idea what that hose or resivoir is?
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
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Its either a fuel return line or a Vapor hose
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Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 AT 3:01 PM
Tiny
JASMICALL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Just wondering now what exactly do I need to test the pressure to see if the fuel pump is good or bad, and how do I do it.
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 AT 9:17 AM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
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You need a fuel pressure tester for your fuel system, find the fule test port/schrader valve and screw it on-turn key on and read off. Fuel pressure should be 35-45psi
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Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
JASMICALL
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
Ok, fuel pump was bad, replaced it, and got the car running. Now when I accelerate slowly, the car runs real rough like the brakes are being hit real quick and released real quik. If I punch it, the car rides smooth like butter, it also runs rough like that when slowing down. Could this be from the spark plugs, or maybe the throttle position sensor?
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
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Check and test the TPS and MAF sensors
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:42 PM

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