| Author |
Message |
R.C.Bishop (128.123.88.23)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, January 27, 2002 - 10:32 pm: | |
My wife was headed down the Interstate twixt Shreveport and Baton Rouge in her very low mileage (77K) 1988, Delta 88 when she noticed the red light temperature indicator come on. She slowed a bit and the light went off, but, alas, it kept coming back on until the car flat quit. When she next started it, "white smoke" came out the pipe so she turned off the engine and towed it to Alexandria where they told her at a mechanics shop, it would cost her big bucks, $1000 plus, just to find out what was wrong..........Baloney.
She ended up having her son drive up from Jackson, LA, they rented a dolly, drove the car up on the dolly and towed it to Jackson. There it sits.
This car has new paint and clear coat, is near perfect inside and hardly worth sending to the junk yard. I think it can be fixed, but since I am in NM and she is presently in LA, I need some guidance on an "honest appraisal" of what might be the problem. ie, a blown engine, a head gasket or whatever. Anybody have knowledge of someone in that area that can be relied on?
Thanx much for your input.
RCB |
Jayjay (207.30.115.92)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 12:09 am: | |
White smoke says head gasket for sure (uh maybe), but I have no knowledge of the area. A grand ought to buy an engine and the labor to swap it, and 350 CID Chevy's are pretty common. Delta 88, it is a 350 isn't it? Good Luck. Cheers...JJ |
dick hall (Dick) (205.188.198.159)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 2:08 am: | |
could be a head gasket, see if there is water in the oil or if water comes out of tailpipe. trouble is it's a tranverse engine, and hard to get to rear head. good news is it's a 3.8 (3800) v6 and were run in olds,buick,pontiac and shouldn't be to hard to pick agood used one if you so decide. my wife has 192,000 on hers, still runs like a top and have only had to replce tranny so far.
lol dick |
Phil (204.89.170.3)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 7:38 am: | |
Most of the newer engines when overheated end up cracking the cylinder heads. A friend owns a machine shop and most of the cylinde heads he works on (hundreds)require some type of crack repair. The used engines may have the same problems!! Good luck. |
Ace (24.28.44.126)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 7:56 am: | |
RC, if your wife is in Alexandria, you can call the guy we purchased our Eagle from. He lives close by and knows the area real well. He was honest with us when we bought our bus so he may be able to help you! His name is Marcelle Slaughter. His contact numbers are:
(318) 586-4812
(318) 586-7421
He actually lives in Hornbeck but it is only a wide spot in the road NEXT to Alexandria! I hope this helps some! He should be able to direct you to a good mechanic!
Ace |
R.C. Bishop (128.123.88.18)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 28, 2002 - 7:20 pm: | |
Thanx much, gang...really appreciate the input. I suspect a head gasket, and that should take a compression test, right?. We had the same problem with a Rabbit 12 years ago and drove it for two hundred miles in CO mountains before it just wouldn't go up hill. Ended up with a replaced engine, but I think I brought that deal on.
Unfortunately, she is in Jackson, two or three hours south of Alexandria, but I am going to suggest she call your contact, Ace. Can't hurt. That's been a great car and I hope to save it.
Thanx again. |
John Ogle, Jr. (152.163.197.67)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 10:13 pm: | |
There is a tester available from NAPA. It consists of a bulb gizmo into which you put some special (cheap about $7.00) fluid. Start the engine with the radiator cap off, suction (with the bulb) some vapors thru the fluid, if it changes color, it is a blown head gasket. Simple and never failing test. |
R.C,Bishop (128.123.88.5)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 31, 2002 - 10:56 pm: | |
Thanx, John. Hadn't heard of that before and I'll give it a try. Sounds simple enuf. Absolutely amazing what one learns on this board. And thanx to you Ian!
RCB. |
john wood (206.252.229.207)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, February 01, 2002 - 9:37 pm: | |
If you love the car like I love my 88 park ave, fix it. They do not make a better lookin, riding or lasting car than this platform. My tranny went out at about 140,000 and I had the local salvage yard install a used one for 600. Engines may be less. Rebuilt tranny was quoted at 2,200 by a tranny guy I know personally. Cannot imagine what they would have charged for one in an out of the way place.
You may want to contact a transporter company to bring the car home where you know someone to fix it and can take it back for warranty issues if need be.
I sold mine at 160,000 and wish that I had kept it. Very hard vehicle to replace! I found a 1990 Park ultra on the net after buying a new accord and hating it. Paid 7,500 for the '90 with 68,000 miles on clock. Will not let this one go. |
eaglemc10s (65.184.92.5)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2002 - 11:10 pm: | |
Woody's Auto & Body in Kenner LA. just outside New Orleans. Its a bit away from Jackson but I promise he is the best and most honest shop in LA. Will not gouge or take advantage. Has been written up in Hot Rod Mag. A very good friend of mine. Glen Woods is the owner. |
|