1990 Lincoln Towncar- Valves?

Hello, I found this forum off google when I was trying to research a problem I'm having with my car. Now I don't know much about fixing them unfortunately- I am good at figuring things out though. My Brother-in-Law took a look at our car and said that the valves need to be changed on it. He was going to do the work for us, but he's not very reliable sometimes, and this is one of those times....

The problem is that after the first few minutes the car engine starts smoking. THe temparture of the engine stays in the "normal" catagory, and it's because its burning up oil- from what I've been told and seen. We have to put in a new quart of oil about every 3 days and its getting steadily worse. Again my Brother-in-Law said that the valves on the oil thing need to be changed because the oil keeps leaking out.

1. Is this something I could do if I had instructions- or would I need special tools that only mechanics usually have.

2. Anyone know around how much it would normally cost to go have a mechanic fix this? I'm just looking for an esitimate- I swear I won't hold you to it, or sue ya! ;) Is it like $100 or $500???

3. If I have to wait a week or 2 to fix it (money's tight) will it cause any other damage as long as I check my oil level frequently and make sure its at the right level before driving???


Thanks for your help & time. :)
Amy

I'm going to answer your Qs in reverse order.

Yes you can keep adding oil (as it is cheap) and you will be fine. I did this with a 1990 LTD which was had the same engine as your car. Although it leaked oil, not burning.

For cost I do not know but what you should do is call around to local shops and ask how much it would cost. That way you can price it out and determine who is being honest and who is not. If I had to guess at a ball park figure I would imagine $400-800 maybe a little more... The parts themselves are cheap, it is just a time consuming job to replace them.

It would depend on your mechcanical abilities. I am certain that special tools are required. If you can get your hands on a Haynes repair manual it will show you pictures of it and what is required.

Good luck.....

Thanks for your responce. It looks like my brother-in-law is going to help us afterall. The part he needed cost all of $10 and change! But to fix it he needs to unbolt the metal top piece thingie and it will take about 2-3 hours he said. So yeah, to go to a mechanic would be about $300 I think. Luckily I won't have too. :)


THanks again.
Amy