New owner.......

[mikeiniowa]

Hello, I am in the process of buying a 1988 Scorpio and would like to join the group. My collection of cars includes a 2004 Jaguar x type estate(daily work ) a 2006 Pontiac Solstice (fun car) and a 2004 Lincoln town car (long distance driver).
This is a new model and make for me so will need help once in awhile...I have worked on cars for well it's been at least 60 years so might be able to help out also...
I live in north central Iowa in a small town of 300, fell free to contact me via e-mail anytime. My main business is selling and repairing ai rifles. Things are slow right now so thought it would be a good time to start a new project before the snow flies

stay safe and have a great day, Mike

[andyofcolumbusmerkur]

Build date? There's early and late 1988 models.

[mikeiniowa]

looks to be early, feb of 87

[brokencase]

Welcome Mike. You've come to the right place.

Take your time searching through the forums.

Here is a good place to start:
https://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/view ... ch#p280542

The 2.9L heads can crack if overheated. So make sure your radiator fan clutch is good and your temperature gauge works.
Water in the oil is a good indicator that the heads may have cracked.

RockAuto has many Scorpio parts available at closeout prices - bookmark this link items change from time to time:
https://www.rockauto.com/closeouts/?car ... &html=true

Other common issues:
Gear in odometer breaks - Available, PIA to replace.
Check condition of CV boots on rear axles.
Lights everywhere blow - lights in the footwells, lights in door jambs, lights under doors, lights in the dash, etc...
Fuse box is a bit exposed, Check fuses and relays, clean blades and socket contacts.
Original valve cover gaskets leak, FelPro silicone gaskets are the fix.

There are many other things, just ask by posting in the Scorpio forum.

[mikeiniowa]

The previous owner loved the Merkurs and was a mechanic. The engine temp is just over the bottom line when running so should be OK, will keep an eye on it. AC is in need of charge and oil change and transmission fluid change in the works first thing. Will check boots when on the hoist along witheverything else. There is a vibration in the front end that goes away when in a curve so that needs attention....If the speedo goes will put in a gps type, reads about 5 mph slow...have to check the tire size...

[mikeiniowa]

checked tire size, 205mm is correct, has 195 on it so thats why it's slow...

[Ed Lijewski]

Strange that a mechanic PO would mount an undersized tire.

Your build date suggests it could have front seats with adjustable thigh bolsters; does it?

This post belongs in the Scorpio section (Admin here can do that).

YMMV

[brokencase]

The engine temp is just over the bottom line when running so should be OK, will keep an eye on it.

Something's off. Normally the gauge will read in the middle range with the engine fully warmed up.

[Ed Lijewski]

T-stat variance ranges.

My '89 fully warmed up needle sits below the "M" of Norm.

Running a/c the needle hovers between the "M" and the white horizontal border below the "M".

YMMV

[brokencase]

Ed, your gauge is off too. Likely that your gauge temp sensor is getting old. They are notorious for failing.

There is no text "WARM". It says "NORM"

I did have my Arduino temp gauge interface (which was calibrated), but that got damaged, and I have not got around to making a new one.
https://forum.merkurclub.com/forum/view ... no#p275160

In the mean time I purchased new gauge temp sensor from Lithuania on ebay.

My gauge reads right in the middle with the engine warmed up, just like every other Scorpio and Ford I have ever owned.
The few degree difference in T-stats won't move it much. It should still point somewhere between the "O" and "R".

[Ed Lijewski]

I've four Merkurs, two XRs and two Scorpios, and the temp gauge needle on each runs in the lower quadrant on average (a/c off).

That is typical for other owners' cars from what I've understood over years.

.
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20181222_142419_copy_1305x734.jpg (148.21 KiB) Viewed 7558 times

YMMV

[mikeiniowa]

Thats about Where mine sits....

[brokencase]

Mike you are triple posting for some reason. You need to figure out why.

I'm not going to argue about gauge readings. Just double check your running temps via another means. The gauge cannot be trusted because the gauge is not calibrated and the gauge temp sensor fails. I have observed two of the sensors fail.

Anyway, Mike - as a new Scorpio owner you're going to want the following documentation:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/sivr5rgc ... s.pdf/file
https://www.mediafire.com/file/mry1h46u ... V.pdf/file
https://www.mediafire.com/file/9z39ot7c ... V.pdf/file
https://www.mediafire.com/file/6hpsypcn ... p.pdf/file

Very important - all the original Ford technical service bulletins
https://www.mediafire.com/file/1o9z21or ... s.pdf/file

Very important - The old (circa 1990s) IMON email list archives:
https://www.mediafire.com/file/po57h208 ... S.zip/file

You're welcome.