Hey all, anything specific to check for on 2009 models? 35000 miles, no record of vacuum leak repair, would it have been repaired by now or possible original lines could last that long?

Regarding suspension no record of strut repair but had upper control arms done. Presume the struts would be 5-10k when they go?

Also, Is it normal for the vehicles to have some valve cover oil sweat?

Thanks all

 

I had an '09 with about 28K miles on it before it got 29" of water in the garage in 2022. It was a good car and very reliable. The only issues I had was some pulling to the left which was an inexpensive fix, trunk struts and new tires. I know that the front struts would soon be due as the car would drop about an inch after parking it for 30 minutes. On my '16 the struts failed right at 30K and it was a $12.5K repair including new upper bushings. I don't recall any valve cover sweat on the '09 but the '16 did.

 

From memory the Vacuum issue was fixed in 07 or 08.

A

 

Hi Bruce thanks for reply, are you saying it had some water damage in 2022? How many miles when you parted with the car? Did you end up doing the vacuum leak fix?

My understanding is all the 1st generations had the vacuum leaks but not as common in later years?

 

Did the vacuum lines have any sort of update to prevent it from cracking by 2009? I don't hear too many people mention 2009 vacuum lines needing to be replaced

 

I think they rerouted them. My 2010 was fine.

A

 

Yep you're right lines rerouted but I thought same material so thought it would still be prone to cracking? Or does the rerouting prevent it from getting as hot so not as likely to crack?

 

The lines were re-routed in mid 2006. I have a late 2006 and looked into this before buying. There is an easy check by looking at the engine under the cover that runs across the rear of the engine. I think it is the B cover. If there is a small box under the cover then the car has the redesigned vacuum system. I read once what the box is but I have forgotten. I am not sure about the change in material. Most of the cracks happen where the tubing is stretched over barb on a connector. The issue was that the lines ran above the transmission and were subjected to high heat causing the tube to become brittle.

Pete

 

Hello @newporsche ,
As you know, the early GT's had the vacuum lines over the transmission, they were rerouted for the 2006 GT, but, this area was not the only issue with the lines, the lines at the firewall along the steering rack also had issues, as did the lines up to the rear of the intake manifold, these same issues are still present on the second generation, it's the same material used, has the same line over barbed connectors, they still split, maybe just not as often, as some areas are covered with heat wrap foil.

I can double check with Jason as to the exact year of the lines pictured, the 2 areas circled in red had split open, I added to 15 green dots to show the 15 areas for failure.

So, the 2009 still has all the areas along the firewall steering rack area, along with the rear of the engine at the rear of the intake manifold, and in both wheel wells, especially running to the vacuum pump in the driver's (LHD) wheel well.

Photos by Jason Giannetti / @Bentley Tech NC .


Johnny

.

 

Yes, Hurricane Ian in 2022 delivered a storm surge that put 29" of water in the garage which was over and in the headlights. The car is NOT watertight as the water filled the interior to the steering wheel! I never had the vacuum leak problem - only leaky front struts.

 

Hey all just an update that I'm close to deal on a 2009 Continental, I'll have a smoke test done to see if any issue with the vacuum lines but I guess those could go at any time? At least it's past 2006 so maybe not too too bad for labor costs

Are there other things on the 2009 that require engine out? Any other things that are a deal breaker? The ride height seemed to work well and a few control arms were replaced 15000 miles ago. Car has 40000 miles currently

Any thoughts are appreciated

 

Thanks for the detailed info, the car has 40000 miles and no record of vacuum lines replaced, do you think the 2009 models are less prone to the cracking if they perhaps used more protection in problem areas?

 

Anything else I should look out for in inspection?