My free 1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town and Country Wagon.
Chrysler 2.5 engine original. 82,000 original miles. Non-turbo.
Exterior Color: Brown with roofrack. Sunburned paint, and fading,
pitted wood. Only two small dents on bottom of passenger front door, and a few dings. Not really any major body damage.
Synopsis: Was the first California K-Car in the club when I founded the club back in February 2007. The Spring Fling 2007 sticker is still on the windshield. It was in mint condition, and maintained well until September 2009. September 2009 was the last oil change, at 75,000 miles. It is now at 82,000 miles. It became neglected. Oil was always topped off, in fact overfilled. It is black right now. The owner also had the cooling system filled with straight water, and the radiator cap is corroded.
Risk: I drove the car successfully from Palm Springs Sunday without any incident or overheating. Did not stall once, but ran a little rough at times, and almost stalled when I turned on the heater. Ran decent, but acceleration power increased as I drove the car to Los Angeles. It ran on half a tank of bad gas and half a tank of fresh gas, with fuel cleaner in it. I did not dare go any faster than 60 mph. Got a whopping 30 mpg.
The good: So far, the car is not overheating. It starts up right away, but sometimes you have to pump the accelerator while you turn the key to make it start. Runs loud and clear, with some minor tapping noise, but my other K-car always had that as well. Analog gauges. Odometer and speedometer work.
The ugly: Gauges not working, some weird goop in the rat chewed back seat, and broken drivers seat frame. Sand and dust is everywhere under the hood and some in the electronics.
What it needs: Ta da. The car really doesn't look bad to my eye at all, in fact I am not even thinking of repainting it, but I might in a year. Here is what it needs. Folks, I could really use some sound advice right now:
1. Hood safety latched adjusted. Hood does not close properly without some finesse.
2. Needs an oil change immediately.
3. Need a coolant system flush and new radiator cap
4. Shocks and struts are mushy. Not to concerned about that right now.
5. Front license plate and frame is missing.
6. Broken drivers seat. The frame rail is snapped in two.
7. Center rear brake light not working
8. Turn signal switch not working properly and feels loose
in the housing. Signals work intermittently
9. Rear mirror fell off. I can reattach it.
10 The analog cluster gauge, including critical temperature
gauge and fuel gauge, is not working. Everytime a fuse is replaced,
it blows.
11. All power windows and locks work, somewhat. Some seem sticky,
and the windows are loose on track and threaten to break. Drivers window the worst.
12. Need a service manual.
13. Brakes work, but mediocre. Need a brake system check.
14. Check high pressure fuel injection fuel lines. Replace.
Check tank fuel lines.
15. Replace timing belt.
16. Find some screws to reattach some plastic trim on the inside, and put the panel below steering wheel back on.
17. Was told there was a transmission leak, but didn't really see much loss.
18. Leather interior is shot, but not too horrible. Dash has first crack, but no worse than my other car.
I hope that it is. Hopefully, the head-gasket doesn't go, as they typically go at around 60,000. This car has 82,000.
I still like this car, and it has potential. My goal is get this car reliable enough to drive long distance and get some seat covers. If I keep it, I will repaint the car and get new wood put on in 2015.
I am very blessed. Glad it was free.
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