Gen 1 vs Gen 2 Marks

[Kevin McManis]

Well I have now officially had the chance to own (and enjoy the quirks) of each of these cars.

Problems with Gen 1:
Can't see (horrible headlights)

Problems with Gen 2:
Froze due to blend door but warmed up later from the vibration of the driveshaft

So far the biggest thing I notice is that my new Gen 1 Mark is a lot quicker than my Gen 2 was. It also seems to be more muscle car like (louder exhaust and shifts harsher than I remember my Gen 2 doing)

I love them both but due to my budget, Dave's Mark VIII fit the bill.

Well I am back in the groove with a new Mark.

 

[scotty96lsc]

Kevin
I have experienced the same thing. My 96LSC was faster, but my 98 rides nicer. I have had the blend door brake twice now on the 98.

 

[cvrefugee]

Uh, what's the blend door? Oh and also, is the air-compressor for the suspension supposed to be loud and audible from the cabin?

 

[flamark]

Yes you can hear the compressor run and it is loud. I got an '01 Lincoln and the stupid thing is still just as loud. You would think Lincoln would have found a way to make the thing more quiet by now.

If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

 

[blk mk8]

i have had a couple marks and i think the gen 2 is a lot nicer all around. the first gen is a little quicker with weighing a tad bit lighter and better stock exhaust. i think that once you put long tubes and cobra intake on a gen2 it does not matter at all.

 

[logres]

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Yes you can hear the compressor run and it is loud. I got an '01 Lincoln and the stupid thing is still just as loud. You would think Lincoln would have found a way to make the thing more quiet by now.If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?
[/div]

You would think Lincoln would have used a passive system like in my dad's '03 Dodge Grand Caravan.

It's got the internal venting positioned right at ride height level. When the van is high, the vents are exposed allowing air to evacuate until the vents are closed off.

The neat part is how it raises. When the ride height is low, the level is brought back up by a "pumping" action from a different set of vents. The pumping comes form the van bouncing down the road.

Very innovative.

 

[M Darrah]

I don't know if there's a difference between first and second gens, but from my personal experience, if you can hear the compressor from inside, then it's probably on its way out. Mine was getting progressively louder, and then progressively slower. I finally replaced it with one from Eddie. I can't hear it at all now from inside the car, and it lifts the car up nice and quick.

The spider valve is another story...

 

[sleeper]

Also the rubber bushings the compressor rides on deteriorate over time and cause the compressor to get noisier. So it doesn't necessarily mean it's on its way out.