'00 Lincoln LS - Still having trouble :(

Thank you guys for the advice before, it really helped. Unfortunately, I still have a couple problems. I will try to give you the most accurate description I can..

I bought a 2000 Lincoln LS 3.9 V8 from my father-in-law. The car only has 85k miles. They didn't drive it much. I, myself am just a DIYer. I ran the codes on the car, and 12 came up. All 8 cylinders were misfiring. I ordered the parts and replaced the Plugs, Coils, and Valve Cover Gaskets (not to mention the entire driver side window assembly).

Now, only 1 code comes up, and its a combustion lean code on the left bank.

So, the car is now running with GREAT improvement. The problem is, when I go to accelerate up hill, or when getting up to speed on the highway, it shakes for a minute, and the check engine light flashes. If i let off the gas, or the road flattens out, it will stop.

There is also an oil leak I'm guessing because whenever I come to a stop there's smoke coming from under the hood. I believe one of the gaskets I replaced didn't fully seal.

So basically after replacing everything, I'm just wondering if anyone can give me any advice on what to do next.

Thank you so much!

A vacuum leak can cause the symptoms you describe. So can spark plugs with too large of a gap or a single plug with a broken electrode.

Any idea what I should do to see if it's a vacuum leak?

go to youtube and type in "how to find a vacuum leak on a car". the first 4 after the ad links are ok, though I think scotty kilmers cigar version is a little weird.

When you did all the work on the car, did you happen to disconnect any fuel injectors? It's pretty common for the injector clips to break after years of engine heat, etc., and an injector that is not working could cause a lean code. Although I'd expect it to also set a code for a specific cylinder misfire.

With the lean bank 2 code (assuming that's what it said since you mention "left") a vacuum leak that would effect just that bank does seem more likely.

Would you mind sharing the exact diagnostic code number?

-Rod

Yes it was the P0171 code. Bank 1 lean, sorry. I will admit we had a tough time getting the driver side valve cover off because of the fuel lines, and at one point I did try to remove them with a pair of pliers and wasn't able to. I then waited, and got the tool to properly do it. I'm now wondering if I may have damaged one of them..

Well, to make sure we're on the same page and you're focused on the correct side of the car, Bank 1 is on the right side, which is defined as right and left when you're sitting in the driver's seat. So on a FoMoCo sold in the US, bank 1 is the right side and bank 2 is the left side.

-Rod