problems to watch for in '93 Town Car?

Status
Not open for further replies.
earlyre

earlyre

Joined
Nov 23, 2011
Messages
6,501
Location
Lima, Ohio, USA
Co-worker who has been with out a car for a couple years (bumming rides, etc) is now buying a '93 Lincoln Town Car From her landlord. it was his Granny's, or Aunt's or something.
only has 70k mi, log book showing every penny ever spent on it, she says rust free, only a couple scratches on the dash from the old lady's poodle.
only $1500.

any normal, well known, issues to keep the eyes peeled for with an early 90's Panther?
 
X2.

Original air bags will be shot at that age. New ones may have already been put in.

The good news is, you can get coil conversion kits easily. There are plenty available online or at any parts store.

Early 4.6s tend to burn oil due to leakage from the valve stem seals. If the car has a plastic intake manifold, it could be prone to the coolant crossover leaking if it hasn't already been fixed, but I think a 1993 has an all aluminum intake manifold that wouldn't have the problem.

Other than that, just check all of the electrical features and make sure the trans shifts good in all gears.
 
Ditto on the rear suspension. I see town cars of that era all the time driving around looking like they have a load of concrete in the trunk!
 
Im not sure of the last year Ford / Lincon / Mercury used the variable venturi carburetors, but it probably was discontinued way before 93, maybe someone can add a comment about what was the last year for that piece of junk carb. But if it does have one of those you will be much better off converting it to some other type, or steering clear of it all together.

F / L / M of around that time had a very poorly designed switch on the brake system. The diaphragm of that switch cracks, and flammable brake fluid ends up where the electric switch contacts cause a spark. Not a good combination. Somehow that switch can cause the spark while the vehicle is sitting still not even being used, so when it does decide to burn down, it can take your house with it if you have an attached garage. I think there is a fix for it, might be as simple as an inline fuse small enough to prevent the problem, but I'm not sure exactly what the fix is.

Maybe someone can chime in about that brake switch problem and the fix.
 
A 1993 will have a 4.6L, it's EFI.

Ford has a revised CC switch and a fused jumper harness available, you can use one or the other, both are not necessary. I put the revised switch in my last two trucks, and my current truck had the fused jumper installed under the recall campaign. I haven't had a problem from either. The fused jumper has gone 7 years with no issues and I use cruise all the time. Per Ford, you should go ahead and install the revised switch if the old one is visibly leaking brake fluid.
 
In case the Original Poster does not know it, 01rangerxl's comment about that 1993 being EFI (means electronic fuel injected), which means that it will NOT have the lousy variable venturi carb.

But his post about the CC (cruse control) switch on the brake system varifies that a 1993 is one of the years requiring one of the two fixes he indicated.
 
Make sure the trans doesn't shudder (much?) going in and out of torque convertor lockup... particularly at 45 mph and 5% throttle.

Also give it a good 4th to 2nd mash (before you buy it) and see how akward it feels. Then never do it again.
laugh.gif
 
I agree with you donald, but i have nothing to do with the deal. Im just asking for a coworker.

I honestly dont think she should be driving any way (diabetic eye problems and neuropathy in both feet and hands... )
 
Originally Posted By: 95busa
Change trans oil w/ mercon v. Problem solved.


It won't hurt, but it may not help.
The 4R70W has a tendency to eat transmission accumulator springs. (Google it) I replaced several accumulator parts on my car several years ago and I remember that Ford could order most of the parts, but there was a spring (IIRC) that they discontinued. There is also a piston that rocks in the bore and the replacement has been revised. The fix is fairly cheap.
 
Originally Posted By: earlyre
I agree with you donald, but i have nothing to do with the deal. Im just asking for a coworker.

I honestly dont think she should be driving any way (diabetic eye problems and neuropathy in both feet and hands... )

just to elaborate, to make it clear i'm not just being an A-Hole.
When i say Neuropathy, I mean to the point she can't feel her feet or hands. and on top of the diabetic eye issues, currently without any form of corrective lens, which she does need, and within a week before deciding to buy this car (by making payments to her landlord) she cancelled an eye exam b/c she didn't have enough money.

between indoor & outdoor, she's feeding something like 12 cats. and a dog. and a couple raccoons (outside)

she could take the bus, it's a 15min trip via bus both ways to work(both on same route), only costs $1( or $30/mo for a bus pass) but refuses to.
it is a 1/4 mi walk to the bus stop from her trailer.
can't/won't walk to the bus stop.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

K
  • Locked
2012 Ram 1500 One Year Review
Replies
16
Views
10K
Hokiefyd
W
  • Locked
The Saga of Two "Car Guys"
Replies
8
Views
3K
WMSmotorhead
A
  • Locked
Kerry Resume For President
2 3
Replies
47
Views
17K
motorguy222
Back
Top Bottom