1993 Lincoln Mark 8 Airbags Wont Inflate (Air Ride Suspension) (air bag, sell, engine)

[steel7]

My neighbors 93 lincoln mark 8 is not drivable. The cars air ride suspension wont work. Im thinking its either the compressor or leaking airbags. The car has 138k miles. About a month ago the car went flat & about 15 mins later the airbags inflated. I was a passenger in the car a few weeks ago & while she was driving i could hear the right side airbags inflate. Any suggestions ?

[M3 Mitch]

I think you have the possibilities covered - it's either the compressor or the air bags, or possibly an air line.

Is it possible to put an external air compressor on the system some how, or run the onboard compressor without the engine? If so you can probably hear the leak if you get under the car.

I think in many cases there are spring and shock "kits" available to replace at least some air-bag type suspensions.

[rosecitywanderer]

Get a soapy water mixture in a spray bottle and spray it onto the bags. If they're leaking, you'll see little bubbles pop up in the location of the offending leak.

[Chadro77]

My suggestion is to sell the car, lol.

I worked at a Lincoln-Mercury dealer years ago and when people came in for parts they could only get at the dealership, they'd dang near have heart failure. Mark VIII parts are EXPENSIVE.

I believe your airbag and strut are one piece/intergrated and there $500 + each for fronts from Ford. $2-300 aftermarket.

[steel7]

Its a 1994 lincoln mark 8. I think 93-94 are similar.

[steel7]

I doubt it if its the airbags cause the car is totally down. I have never dealt with a air ride suspension & never will. Ill stick with shocks. A mechanic who has worked on these cars will checkout the car this week plus his labor cost is nothing compared to stealerships.

[knoxgarden]

When that happened on my Mark VIII, I got new parts from here and had them installed for about $500.
LINCOLN Air Suspension Parts - Mark VIII (8) 1993-1998 (4.6 Liter V8)
Very helpful company. They'll provide your mechanic info on how to replace them if he needs it.
You can retro fit shocks, I prefer the air ride. Those parts are further down the page.
It sounds like the compressor is out. You usually just lose the back if it's the air bags.
If they haven't been replaced, they are overdue.

[Drover]

Unfortunately this is a common problem on the Mark VIII. It's kind of heartbreaking how many Mark VIII's I've seen in various states of abandonment sitting about half an inch off the ground.

[12GO]

That is a very good site to get the airbag parts from!

[andrew s]

How long does a full conversion replacement of an air suspension to a conventional suspension for a 1993 Lincoln Mark viii take? do you have to disable the sensors and reprogram the computer?