Need help with 4.6L Lincoln

[Jesse 28B]

I know this isn't a Mustang, but I just bought myself a 1991 Lincoln Town car as a beater to keep my mustang out of the snow. I was looking around for a honda or something, but I couldn't pass up this beautiful town car for $900

Anyway, it was running horrible when I picked it up, but a set of plugs and wires made this car drive like new again. The only problem is that my gas mileage is around 15mpg highway, and the check engine light never shuts off.
When I scanned the computer, I got the following codes:
EGR Flow Low
MAF voltage Low
EGO Lean

Now I was reading that the MAF voltage reads high if the MAF is burnt out, so does that mean my MAF voltage low code is a result of a problem on down the line, like a bad O2 sensor?

I talked to a mechanic that has worked on 4.6s for quite a while, and he said that a bad O2 sensor could possibly pop up the codes for MAF voltage and EGO lean.

The problem is, the car was $900, I don't want to throw a couple hundred in sensors into it, so if anybody has any ideas of what my problem is, please let me know.

Thanks for any help!

 

[timeless2]

Clean the MAF and it wouldn't hurt before you replace it. The other two, I don't know much about.

 

[tomustang]

go to a junkyard an pull some o2 sensors and whatever else you need

 

[sgarlic]

I'd ask over at Modular Depot to be honest with ya. Most here, (myself included,) aren't up on the modulars from older vehicles.

 

[Dragstr05]

First try spraying the MAF out with Carb cleaner.

For the EGR, the older town cars and such had a problem with the PVC system clogging up the ports in the EGR valve. If you pull off the throttle body/intake plennum (which should be towards the rear I believe), pull the EGR valve off, and clean it out with carb cleaner and pick the chunks out with a pick. That may only be the problem...this was very common at the lincoln dealership where I used to work. So, you may not need to replace the valve.

Not sure what EGO is though. Hope that helps!

 

[newstangman]

No need to remove the EGR valve (which is a bear to remove). Follow these detailed instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article15.html

As to MAF, follow these instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article59.html

 

[Dragstr05]

No need to remove the EGR valve (which is a bear to remove). Follow these detailed instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article15.html

As to MAF, follow these instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article59.html

The article on the EGR is exactly what I was referring to. Guess you dont need to remove the valve; I never performed the proceedure, I have only seen it done. The article should explain it better than I did though.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

No need to remove the EGR valve (which is a bear to remove). Follow these detailed instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article15.html

As to MAF, follow these instructions:

http://www.lincolnsonline.com/article59.html

Damn, that site is like a Bullitt Archive for Lincolns... Nice

 

[Zach9865]

Don't spray carb cleaner on the MAF! Carb cleaner is for carbs, not for electrical components. Try using computer drive cleaner. It is much less harsh and is designed for similar purposes. I have heard of numerous MAF going bad after the use of carb cleaner on them. Using carb cleaner on the MAF could add hours to troubleshooting your problem.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

+1 for using electrical contact cleaner, absolutely

 

[Shiroelex]

I know that the 3rd code you listed is for a front O2 sensor. Replace that, clean out the maf with a clean rag and compressed air, clean that EGR, and make sure it's working correctly, and do this one last thing. Follow one of the hoses from the PCV valve towards the thottle body. It goes from a rubber connector to a plastic tube, to a rubber vaccum tee, right near the firewall/TB area. That stupid rubber tee gets sucked flat in the middle and either leaks like crazy, or pinches shut, and causes all kinds of problems. That's one problem I've experienced with that car. That, and on the violin box, there's a rubber hose that connects to the valve cover, right after the MAF, that I've seen often not even there, or really cracked on the bottom and leaking air, or pinched flat. I had reworked one of those cars with just a few new vaccum hoses, a new set of O2's, and plugs and wires, and the fuel economy skyrocketed. Looking at the nearest gas station, I see $2.87. I can understand the desire for better economy! Good luck! Oh, and watch out for those rear airbags.... More trouble than they are worth.

 

[forpit2000gt]

electrical components cleaners should be used for MAF. most brake cleaners will work without problems.

 

[deftsound]

hey can you post a couple pics i wanna see this thing!