Engine Controls - On-Vehicle Adjustments Lincoln Town Car III

ENGINE MECHANICAL

Note. Information for Escort also applies to ZX2, unless otherwise indicated.

Before performing any on-vehicle adjustments to fuel or ignition systems, ensure engine mechanical condition is okay.

VALVE CLEARANCE

Note. All models except 2.0L (VIN 3), 3.0L (VIN S) and 3.9L (VIN A) are equipped with hydraulic valve lifters; valve adjustment is not required. If valves are noisy or incorrect clearance is suspected, components are worn. Check collapsed valve lifter clearance. See appropriate article in ENGINES.

2.0L ENGINE (VIN 3)

Note. Vehicles built before June 1999 use selective shims to adjust valve clearance. Starting June 1999, selective sized tappets are used.

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Loosen, but DO NOT remove upper timing belt cover. Disconnect spark plug wires from spark plugs by slightly twisting and pulling off in a straight direction from spark plug,. Detach crankcase ventilation hose. Remove valve cover bolts by loosening diagonally, starting with bolts located on outside edge of valve cover, working inward.
2. Place No. 1 cylinder at TDC, by rotating engine crankshaft clockwise. Using feeler gauge, measure and record cylinder No. 1 valve clearance. (Scheme 1) Rotate crankshaft clockwise 180 degrees. Using feeler gauge, measure and record cylinder No. 3 valve clearance. Repeat this procedure, following the firing order to measure and record valve clearance for cylinders No. 4 and 2.
3. Ensure clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (2.0L - VIN 3)»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-on-vehicle-adjustments) table. Vehicles built before June 1999 use selective shims to adjust valve clearance. Starting June 1999, selective sized tappets are used. If clearance is not within specification, go to next step. VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (2.0L - VIN 3) (1) Application In. (mm) Intake.004-.007 (0.11-0.18) Exhaust.011-.013 (0.27-0.34) (1) Clearance is checked with engine cold.
4. Use the following formulas to select proper shim thickness or tappet height depending on application: Selective Shim Required shim thickness = (measured clearance + current shim thickness) minus most desirable clearance. Selective Tappet Required tappet height = (measured clearance + current tappet height) minus most desirable clearance. Select proper shim or tappet and mark for location during installation. Selective shims are available in sizes.071-.130" (1.80-3.30) in increments of.001" (.03 mm). Selective tappets are available in sizes.675-.699" (17.145-17.745) in increments of.001" (.03 mm).
5. Install correct selective shim or tappet. If installing shims, place shim into tappet with ID number facing inward. Install camshafts and measure new valve clearances. Rotate crankshaft clockwise and repeat procedure for all valves as necessary. If any clearances are incorrect, repeat step 2. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. See appropriate article in ENGINES.

3.0L ENGINE (VIN S)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove both valve cover assemblies. See appropriate article in ENGINES. Rotate crankshaft clockwise to position camshaft lobe away from shim surface. Using feeler gauge, measure and record clearance between camshaft lobe and shim surface. (Scheme 1)
2. Ensure clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.0L - VIN S)»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-on-vehicle-adjustments) table. If clearance is not within specification, go to next step. VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.0L - VIN S) (1) Application In. (mm) Intake.007-.09 (0.18-0.23) Exhaust.013-.015 (0.33-0.38) (1) Clearance is checked with engine cold.
3. Use a permanent type marker to mark position of timing chain in relation to camshaft sprockets to ensure timing remains correct. Mark camshaft cap locations of camshaft that is to be removed. Remove camshaft thrust cap (cap closest to front of cam) and rear camshaft cap. DO NOT remove 2 center camshaft caps.
4. Install Camshaft Lift Tools (303-659 ) finger tight in place of camshaft caps. Install taller of the two Camshaft Lift Tools in place of rear camshaft cap to allow camshaft to be lifted to remove tappet shims. Remove bolts retaining 2 center camshaft caps and remove center caps.
5. Use a permanent type marker to mark location of each shim. Using rubber tipped air gun, blow compressed air between shim edge and tappet to remove shim. Measure and record thickness of each shim to correspond with valve location and clearance.
6. Use the following formula to select proper shim thickness: Required shim thickness = (measured clearance + current shim thickness) minus most desirable clearance. Select proper shim, and mark for location during installation. Selective shims are available in sizes.083-.117" (2.10-2.96) in increments of.0008" (.020 mm).
7. Install correct selective shim. Install camshaft(s) and measure new valve clearances. Rotate crankshaft clockwise and repeat procedure for all valves as necessary. If any clearances are incorrect, repeat step 5. To complete installation, remove Camshaft Lift Tools (303-659 ) and reverse removal procedure. See appropriate article in ENGINES.

3.9L ENGINE (VIN A)

1. Disconnect negative battery cable. Disconnect Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor. Remove air cleaner outlet tube and air cleaner housing. Remove 2 bolts and position hydraulic cooling fan reservoir aside. Disconnect crankcase ventilation hoses. Disconnect fuel line and position aside. Disconnect evaporative emission canister purge valve hose.
2. Remove Vapor Management Valve (VMV) cover. Disconnect vacuum hose and purge line. Remove 2 nuts retaining VMV and position aside. Remove 2 bolts retaining Engine Vacuum Regulator (EVR) and position aside. Remove 2 nuts retaining hose and wiring harness bracket to left side valve cover, remove bracket and position harness up and out of the way.
3. Remove bolts retaining wiring harness bracket to right side strut tower and position aside from valve covers. Remove ignition coil covers. Inspect coil cover gasket and install NEW gasket as necessary. Disconnect ignition coil connectors. Raise engine wiring harness and disconnect fuel injector connectors. Disconnect wiring harness plastic snap retainers.
4. Remove ignition coils. Remove fuel line bracket bolt from left shock tower. Remove 2 bolts retaining power steering pump reservoir and position aside. Remove nut and oil level indicator tube. Remove brake line bracket from left frame rail.
5. Measure and record each valve clearance using a feeler gauge. (Scheme 1) Ensure clearance is within specification. See «VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.9L)»(/lincoln/town-car/iii-1997-2003/remont/adjustments/#engine-controls-on-vehicle-adjustments) table. If clearance is not within specification, go to next step. VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (3.9L) (1) Application In. (mm) Intake.007-.009 (0.18-0.22) Exhaust.009-.011 (0.23-0.27) (1) Clearance is checked with engine cold.
6. Remove valve covers, front timing cover, primary and secondary timing chains and camshafts to access shims and tappets. See appropriate article in ENGINES. Use the following formula to select proper shim thickness: Required shim thickness = (measured clearance + current shim thickness) minus most desirable clearance. Select proper shim, and mark for location during installation. Selective shims are available in sizes.086-.115" (2.180-2.915) in increments of.0006" (.015 mm).
7. Install correct selective shim. Install camshafts and measure new valve clearances. Rotate crankshaft clockwise and repeat procedure for all valves as necessary. If any clearances are incorrect, repeat step 6. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. See appropriate article in ENGINES.

Scheme 1

IGNITION TIMING

Note. On all models with distributorless electronic ignition, manufacturer does not recommend checking ignition timing, as faulty readings are common and timing is not adjustable. Timing specification given is for reference purposes only.

IGNITION TIMING

IDLE SPEED

Note. Idle speed is controlled by Powertrain Control Module (PCM) and is not adjustable. Idle speed specifications are for reference only. If engine idle concerns are present, check for contaminated fuel, vacuum leaks and incorrect ignition timing. Ensure throttle bore, EGR system and PCV system are clean. If these are okay, check PCM for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). See appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V article. If no DTCs exist, see appropriate TROUBLE SHOOTING - NO CODES - EEC-V article.

IDLE RPM SPECIFICATION (1)

THROTTLE POSITION (TP) SENSOR

TP sensor is not adjustable. If testing is necessary, see appropriate SELF-DIAGNOSTICS - EEC-V article.

See also:
• VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATION (2.0L - VIN 3)