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Let me start by saying I recently purchased a 1993 GL. A neighbor was looking to move it and I snatched it up. She's not pretty but actually drives darn well. And now the work begins and I am glad I found this site. I will give a little history of my Festiva trek since buying the car and appreciate any help I can get. Sorry this may get a little lengthy but want to give a full out on my issues so I can get better input. Already found a lot of great information on here.
Not sure if I got a great deal on the car or not but after some research on prices and number crunching on normal replacement parts that would likely be needed, figured worth it with gas prices rising.
On my first drive, noticed severe shaking around 60 to 65 mph. New tires and problem solved. Took in to check alignment and said would need $400 worth of parts in control arm and ball joint. Found both control arms, all tie rod ends, ball joints (new) on ebay for $80. I can change out myself.
Runs well but gave the old girl the normal workover, oil change, new pcv valve, new valve cover gasket, fuel filter, air filter, oil filter, spark plugs and wires. Bought most of the parts from Auto Zone. Started up and ran like a top, even better than before. Took it out for a drive and what a difference. More snap and power, better idle etc. Before all of this ran a little b12 through the gas.
Within two days, however, it started to burn oil like crazy, smoking like a chimney and began stalling when coming to an idle. Not sure if something messed up with engine or if tranny is pulling it down too much. Note it idles and runs better cold than after warmed up. Drives great at highway speeds with plenty of power. Not getting getting any better. On first oil change used 5w-30 as recommended but changed oil and filter again with 10w-30 to see if that helped the oil burning.
Tried adding engine restore to oil and at first it seemed to help and oil isn't blowing through like before but need to add about 1/2 to 1 qt every day or two.
Noticed engine coolant not holding up and just kept adding as need. Think a slight leak on bypass hose. Picked up new thermostat, hoses, timing belt and pump but haven't changed out yet.
Engine coolant a little low but left it. Not burning oil as much and not smoking as much. hmm. Thinking maybe I should have left everything as was when I got it although spark plugs were shelled and everything replaced so far pretty basic. Idle remains rough, tried slight adjustments to idle to no avail.
Did notice the top timing belt cover is now cracked and bulged out a bit. Picked up another from a junk yard, not dug into that whole project yet.
Well guys, with that short novel, what's next? Note that did see thread on thermostats and trying to get O reily's to order me one but they don't understand the difference with the part number I gave them. Hope helps me with my heat or lack of problem but summer approaching after this harsh Minnesota winter behind us.
Please help. Again, sorry about the length of this thread.
Not sure if I got a great deal on the car or not but after some research on prices and number crunching on normal replacement parts that would likely be needed, figured worth it with gas prices rising.
On my first drive, noticed severe shaking around 60 to 65 mph. New tires and problem solved. Took in to check alignment and said would need $400 worth of parts in control arm and ball joint. Found both control arms, all tie rod ends, ball joints (new) on ebay for $80. I can change out myself.
Runs well but gave the old girl the normal workover, oil change, new pcv valve, new valve cover gasket, fuel filter, air filter, oil filter, spark plugs and wires. Bought most of the parts from Auto Zone. Started up and ran like a top, even better than before. Took it out for a drive and what a difference. More snap and power, better idle etc. Before all of this ran a little b12 through the gas.
Within two days, however, it started to burn oil like crazy, smoking like a chimney and began stalling when coming to an idle. Not sure if something messed up with engine or if tranny is pulling it down too much. Note it idles and runs better cold than after warmed up. Drives great at highway speeds with plenty of power. Not getting getting any better. On first oil change used 5w-30 as recommended but changed oil and filter again with 10w-30 to see if that helped the oil burning.
Tried adding engine restore to oil and at first it seemed to help and oil isn't blowing through like before but need to add about 1/2 to 1 qt every day or two.
Noticed engine coolant not holding up and just kept adding as need. Think a slight leak on bypass hose. Picked up new thermostat, hoses, timing belt and pump but haven't changed out yet.
Engine coolant a little low but left it. Not burning oil as much and not smoking as much. hmm. Thinking maybe I should have left everything as was when I got it although spark plugs were shelled and everything replaced so far pretty basic. Idle remains rough, tried slight adjustments to idle to no avail.
Did notice the top timing belt cover is now cracked and bulged out a bit. Picked up another from a junk yard, not dug into that whole project yet.
Well guys, with that short novel, what's next? Note that did see thread on thermostats and trying to get O reily's to order me one but they don't understand the difference with the part number I gave them. Hope helps me with my heat or lack of problem but summer approaching after this harsh Minnesota winter behind us.
Please help. Again, sorry about the length of this thread.
it will help with the slushbox automatic power killer!
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