Car problems with a 1988 Oldsmobile cutlass seirra?

Question

My grandma drives a 1988 cutlass seirra oldsmobile & she has been having car problems for the last few years.She doesnt drive the car but a few times a week and never farther than about 5 miles from home.She doesnt drive on freeways or speed either.The car stalls every once and awhile and after a few times trying to start it the car will start.. It starts fine,the problem isnt with starting. She takes it to the same mechanic that charges her around $600 everytime he supposably fixes it.He doesnt tell her what the problem is though.This last time she took it the mechanic said something about the cars sensor.We dont know anything about cars so we dont know iif the mechanic is doing his job or what.Does anyone know what the problem might be or if this mechanic is taking my grandma for a run for her money or what?

Answer 1

if the engine never gets to see the hiway I would say that she needs to have the engine decarbonized  [motor-vac] works very good.600 bucks!!!! time to change mechanics

Answer 2

Either rebuild the carburetor or buy a more newer car.I believe the float is defective causeing excess fuel to kill the engine at slow speed or at stop signs.

Answer 3

don't know the answer to this but......if that thing has the 3.8 engine in it and has 100,000 miles it could be ready for a timing chain replacement.  those engines are famous for having the timing chain tensioner fail which will bend push-rods and valves.  VERY expensive if paid to have fixed: labor and parts.  A pain if done yourself.  Otherwise they can be good motors.  

The trans-axle design is actually flawed too.  The tranny cast has a spot that was poorly designed that can start to leak tranny fluid into another passage and eventually it can start to slip, then fail.  

Get it running one more time and tell granny she's got to part ways with it and get rid of it.  

Answer 4

sensor u talking about is prob crank sensor

i the sensor was change then same prob again

and ad it on computer

tell then to check crank damper pulley

3.3 and 3.8 have prom  w pulley