Should I re-do fresh air intake gasket on 2006 Towncar even if it's not currently leaking?

[TcLincoln2007]

Hi,

I just bought an 06 Towncar. It has 133k miles, but is generally in good shape. It was an Arizona car, with no accidents. I do not currently have any leak in the back right rear passenger floor, nor do I smell mold in the AC. However, I'm wondering if the problem is so common (my 07 had it, as did many other cars...) that I should go ahead and reseal the fresh air intake anyway... I am in Florida, and soon it will start to rain quite a bit, and the water/mold problems could easily start. On the other hand, there's always the saying, "If it isn't broken, don't fix it..." Any advice would be appreciated

 

[Nongmin]

I'd get it resealed. The factory foam strip will deteriorate/decompose, if it hasn't already. I haven't seen one yet that didn't need attention. Getting ahead of the problem, which you know will happen, can keep you from owning another musty, moldy Lincoln. It's an easy fix, get ahead of it. Welcome and good luck.

 

[TcLincoln2007]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

People on this forum give great advice.

 

[07-TC-SL]

I would. I do not recommend RTV, use a thick automotive grade EPDM gasket that way if you ever have to take it apart it won't be a nightmare. I used this product but in white https://amzn.to/3v49MaK

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[etinpa]

I've successfully used a product known as "Duct Seal". It handles almost like Play-Doh and remains pliable forever. In the electrical trades it's used to provide additional sealing where the service downlead goes into the top of the electrical meter base. I've removed electrical services where this stuff was exposed to weather for 30+ years and was as pliable as new.

Just put a "snake" of this stuff where the old foam was and squash it when you retighten the housing.

 

[TcLincoln2007]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[TcLincoln2007]

I would. I do not recommend RTV, use a thick automotive grade EPDM gasket that way if you ever have to take it apart it won't be a nightmare. I used this product but in white https://amzn.to/3v49MaK

 

[TcLincoln2007]

I really like the idea of the gasket and looked at it on Amazon. When I looked at the specs, it says it is only rated to 140 degrees. Does the fresh air intake ever get hotter than that? Thanks!

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[07-TC-SL]

I really like the idea of the gasket and looked at it on Amazon. When I looked at the specs, it says it is only rated to 140 degrees. Does the fresh air intake ever get hotter than that? Thanks!

No, no worries with that gasket. I installed it in July.

 

[TcLincoln2007]

No, no worries with that gasket. I installed it in July.

THANKS AGAIN! Somehow I am a lot more comfortable with a gasket than with goo (maybe because once I used a tube of silicon or sealant that had expired--I didn't realize that at the time-- on window molding, and it never ever sealed, just dripped and dripped. I guess some of these goos have an expiration date. Live and learn...)

 

[07-TC-SL]

THANKS AGAIN! Somehow I am a lot more comfortable with a gasket than with goo (maybe because once I used a tube of silicon or sealant that had expired--I didn't realize that at the time-- on window molding, and it never ever sealed, just dripped and dripped. I guess some of these goos have an expiration date. Live and learn...)

Pics

 

[TcLincoln2007]

Looks great! Did you glue the end together where they meet in pic 1?

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[07-TC-SL]

Looks great! Did you glue the end together where they meet in pic 1?

No but the seam joint is toward the front of the car once installed, so very unlikely to have water ever hit it. I made sure the joint was tight though.

 

[Action]

What was the old one like?

Action

 

[rancourt]

07-Town Car-SL -- thank you from a fellow '07 Signature Limited owner! This is exactly what I needed -- these pictures are great reference. I'm in the process of planning a combination air filter and gasket installation for mine, as the service records suggest it's leaked there in the past to the tune of a $600 repair bill, and this is basically exactly how I'd want to do it. Your pictures speak volumes. Thank you for taking the effort to share them.

I'd heard rumors that truncating one end of a Jeep Grand Cherokee's cabin air filter from the same year range produces an air filter that's a great fit for that cabin air intake box, so I picked up a UAC FI 1062C today (ASIN B003R3QAF6) with intent to chop and re-seal one end, and set it above the intake as an additional bit of insurance against dead leaves and such. I'll share photos once it's installed.

 

[CARR142]

THANKS AGAIN! Somehow I am a lot more comfortable with a gasket than with goo (maybe because once I used a tube of silicon or sealant that had expired--I didn't realize that at the time-- on window molding, and it never ever sealed, just dripped and dripped. I guess some of these goos have an expiration date. Live and learn...)

Tip; RTV will last a lot longer refrigerated, whether It's open or not.

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[rancourt]

Found this video from someone emphatically of the same mind as our own 07-Town Car-SL, which really outlines the gasket installation process beautifully. Leaving it here for reference, and will still follow up with the cabin air filter project. May this be as helpful to some of you as it's proving to be, for me!

 

[TcLincoln2007]

Thanks! Super-clear video (Even with my dusty monitor...)

 

[Hound Dog]

All the suggestions are good. Ductseal will work with minimum hassle. If it gets compressed at any time it will stay mashed as the plastic flexes back though.

I don't think silicone is that big of a deal. It can be pulled apart if needed. I can't think why you ever would again once you seal this though. It will outlast the car.

 

[rancourt]

While we're talking about this operation -- I just noticed that one of the plastic retainer securing the cover in place is missing, on mine. As that's a key part of what holds the cover down in place and forms the seal with the gasket I'm about to install, obviously this is a priority to fix quickly. Anyone have a favorite replacement retainer part number/SKU/ASIN for these? It's looking like the ones I picked up for the trunk liner are just a little on the large side...