cardboardboxman (98.202.205.65) - Fri Aug 29 00:02:27 2008

k. First post here but very impressed with the other threads. wish I would have found this two years ago.

I bought this from my wifes grandma and was warned it was a lemon but figured I could take care of anything. 2 months later the ac compressor seized and snapped the belt. replaced that and the power steering pump rotors, brakes and few other odds and ends. The power steering pump still growls like crazy and if performing a U turn or sharp turn with acceleration it stalls.

6 months later started to experience moments of a loss of power/speed with rpms staying roughly the same for 5-30 seconds while driving. It progressivly got worse to the point of having it floored and only being able to creep forward. after a few days it would stall right after turning over and finally would not turn over. I do not remember if it cranked or not.

Asking around I have been told it has a bad tranny (which has been leaking for years) or a bad catalytic converter. I inspected both visually and rented an autozone diagnostic computer. It threw codes of a few cylinder misfires.

I was at a loss. I had it towed to the dealer and they diagnosed it as being a faulty harmonic balancer. Which I now know is basically the crankshaft pulley.

They quoted me $775.00 parts and service. but have to order it in. I found one at Autozone locally for $164.00 and one at Pepboys for $129.00. The dealer will install it for me but not warranty it.

I don't know if a "wobbly" crankshaft pully/harmonic balancer could cause it not to start. I have been told it couldn't and I am being ripped off, but I have been told that it may be messing with the crankshaft censor and it is not relaying the info to the computer and it is messing with it.

I remember sing that wobble as I checked the engine from time to time. It was a considerable wobble. ANy help or advice is appreciated. I don't have access to the tools or the father inlaw who has helped me in the past to do it alone. If the dealer being square or screwing me over.?

I am wondering of having Aamco looking at it. they will tow it for free and diagnos it for free.(but in my world free always comes with a cost later)

Do I trust the dealer when I am providing the part and they are not getting their two and a half markup?

Name:           
E-Mail:         

Optional (please add to our directory first)
Web Link:       
Link Title:     

Message: