1989 Town Car Customer Questions

You have been kind enough to answer my questions before. I can’t thank you enough. Here are two more just to keep you sharp:

1. My vehicle runs cool (thanks in part to a new radiator, water pump, and hoses) with the AC on in hot weather as long as she’s moving along at a good clip. However, in big cities with stop and go traffic, AC on, heat above 85, hardly any forward movement, the temp will rise pretty far (to the O or even N in Normal) such that I fear damage to the engine and then I shut off the AC. Time to sweat. That stops the climb in temp and eventually it will drop back to just below half way on the guage. The AC always blows cold (or cold enough).

What can I do? Clean the condensor? Is there room in there to use a hose? Do I need soap? Bigger, better fan? Electric fan? I’m stumped. The fan in it now works normally.

2. My 302 has about 90,000 miles on it. I’ve put the last 35K on it. Runs smooth as silk, sounds great, starts easily. All the seals (valve cover, oil pan, main, transmission, etc) have been redone and her bottom is dry as a bone. No leaks spots on the driveway. She doesn’t smoke on start up.
Yet she’s only getting about 1,000-1,200 miles on a quart of oil. My mechanic swears the PVC systems works as it should. What’s the first thing you would suspect? Bad valve stems and seals? Should I be worried? I know oil is a lot cheaper than an engine rebuild, but still my pride is hurt. What would you do to diaagnose the problem?

Thanks

Peter

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Hello Peter –

If I am understanding your first question correctly, you are saying that the needle of the temperature gauge is pointing into the beginning of the word NORMAL. That indicates to me that the engine temperature is in the correct normal operating range and is not overheating. Depending on the ambient temperature it is normal to see a rise in engine temperature into a higher side of the normal range when stopped in traffic etc. and then drop somewhat lower again when the vehicle is on the move once more.

As far as the condenser is concerned, if it is actually plugged up it will of course need to be cleaned externally. Have your mechanic inspect it for debris etc. so that he can advise you how to clean it if necessary.

If your engine is running great and you have had all of the described work done, it would be a shame to have to think about an engine overhaul at this point. Because the car is around 35 years old and the engine is running well but using some oil, I would want to check the valve stem seals first because of the possibility of aging rubber. I would discuss this with my mechanic and maybe replace these seals only at this point.

I do hope that the above information helps with your concerns.

Sincerely,

Bill