New '63 Linc Continental Owner: Bad Day
63Linc
01-29-2006, 04:54 AM
Hi, I'm Rob. I'm from Washington DC and I just bought my first car, a '63 Lincoln back in November 2005. I'm a novice when it comes to cars. And today, January 28, 2006 was not a good day though it was educational...
A little backstory...
I took it to get inspected by DC DMV shortly after I got it down here in Nov. I expected to fail but I wanted to see where I was going to fail. The verdict came back as "excessive exhuast smoke" and my window power switches also weren't working.
So, I took it to a mechanic in December. They diagnosed the problem as me needing to have the windows re-tracked and de-greased. They also said I needed a new resonator and cross pipe exhaust assembly. In the course of doing the work, the mechanic told me he also found and "fixed" a brake line problem. $2600 later, I picked the car up today.
It looked like it was leaking some fluid. Mostly clear so I chalked it up to some sort of condensation. I tested each switch individually. Moved each window all the way down then all the way up. Switches worked fine.
Drove the half hour to the DMV...
Since the inspectors tested my windows before, I wanted to test them one last time. I changed up my methodology though. I lowered the driver side window and left it down. Did the same with the passenger side window. Then I simultaneously lowered the rear windows. That's when all of the switches stopped working. Steven (TownCar) helped me out when I posted about this particular problem in the Electrical section. So, I'm going to find out whether it's a bad relay.
As for the brake line fix, I was leaking neon green brake fluid while at DMV. The car also was smoking from the front. (Was I burning the brake pads or brake fluid?) The attendant had me put the car in reverse to backup slightly while I was in line and the brakes failed and I bumped the guy behind me and dented his grill :( It could have been worse. I could have lost the brakes trying to stop at an intersection or going at a higher speed. Brakes didn't fail on the way to DMV or on the way home. Weird.
In any event, it cost me $1200 in labor for the mechanics to de-grease and re-track the windows and it works for an hour? Do you think I have any recourse in this case? Should the relay have been checked out when the mechanic was doing the switch work? Or did I just have bad luck and have something new break on my ride that was related to the switches but not something the mechanic should catch?
I also think the brake work he did or didn't do contributed to the brake failure.
Even with the bad day, it's a good car. I love it. I want to have a body-on restoration done on it. Classic exterior with some modern conveniences internally. I'm new to cars in general.
So I have two questions:
1) Any tips you have for a beginner on working on cars? How do I start learning about cars at the age of 33?
2) Are there any reputable restorers/clubs that I can lean on? I know about Baker's Auto in Connecticut but I was hoping for a place closer to home...
Thanks for the help!
A little backstory...
I took it to get inspected by DC DMV shortly after I got it down here in Nov. I expected to fail but I wanted to see where I was going to fail. The verdict came back as "excessive exhuast smoke" and my window power switches also weren't working.
So, I took it to a mechanic in December. They diagnosed the problem as me needing to have the windows re-tracked and de-greased. They also said I needed a new resonator and cross pipe exhaust assembly. In the course of doing the work, the mechanic told me he also found and "fixed" a brake line problem. $2600 later, I picked the car up today.
It looked like it was leaking some fluid. Mostly clear so I chalked it up to some sort of condensation. I tested each switch individually. Moved each window all the way down then all the way up. Switches worked fine.
Drove the half hour to the DMV...
Since the inspectors tested my windows before, I wanted to test them one last time. I changed up my methodology though. I lowered the driver side window and left it down. Did the same with the passenger side window. Then I simultaneously lowered the rear windows. That's when all of the switches stopped working. Steven (TownCar) helped me out when I posted about this particular problem in the Electrical section. So, I'm going to find out whether it's a bad relay.
As for the brake line fix, I was leaking neon green brake fluid while at DMV. The car also was smoking from the front. (Was I burning the brake pads or brake fluid?) The attendant had me put the car in reverse to backup slightly while I was in line and the brakes failed and I bumped the guy behind me and dented his grill :( It could have been worse. I could have lost the brakes trying to stop at an intersection or going at a higher speed. Brakes didn't fail on the way to DMV or on the way home. Weird.
In any event, it cost me $1200 in labor for the mechanics to de-grease and re-track the windows and it works for an hour? Do you think I have any recourse in this case? Should the relay have been checked out when the mechanic was doing the switch work? Or did I just have bad luck and have something new break on my ride that was related to the switches but not something the mechanic should catch?
I also think the brake work he did or didn't do contributed to the brake failure.
Even with the bad day, it's a good car. I love it. I want to have a body-on restoration done on it. Classic exterior with some modern conveniences internally. I'm new to cars in general.
So I have two questions:
1) Any tips you have for a beginner on working on cars? How do I start learning about cars at the age of 33?
2) Are there any reputable restorers/clubs that I can lean on? I know about Baker's Auto in Connecticut but I was hoping for a place closer to home...
Thanks for the help!
Eddietv
01-29-2006, 05:27 PM
Hi Robb, my name is Eddie and like you, I own a 1963 Lincoln Continental. I am sorry to hear about your bad day. I am also a novice to car collecting and also to this site. This is my first post.
I bought my Continental convertible in Sep. 2003. I am also having some problems as there is a hissing coming from under the steering wheel and the brakes do not work.
Robb, since we both have the same kind of car--- perhaps we can share info as we learn it. I too want to get some new restoration work done on my car- so I hope someone will answer your request for info.
Anyway-- best of luck to you and I hope we can communicate some time regarding our "new" hobby. Have a great day.
--Eddie
[email protected]
I bought my Continental convertible in Sep. 2003. I am also having some problems as there is a hissing coming from under the steering wheel and the brakes do not work.
Robb, since we both have the same kind of car--- perhaps we can share info as we learn it. I too want to get some new restoration work done on my car- so I hope someone will answer your request for info.
Anyway-- best of luck to you and I hope we can communicate some time regarding our "new" hobby. Have a great day.
--Eddie
[email protected]
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