How bad is the 1993 Plymouth Acclaim That I Just Bought?

Question

Today I purchased a 1993 Plymouth Acclaim for $350. I knew ahead of time that the car might have transmission problems. I also knew that the car had some kind of suspension related problem, but I didn't know the extent of it or the exact nature of the problem. I was also aware that the car had a coolant leak.

When I started the test drive, the cars tranny had a lot of slips, but when we added transmission fluid to it, the slips stopped for the most part. I did notice a slightly rough ride, and that perhaps the ball joints needed to be replaced, but problems aside, overall, the car ran pretty good, so I figured why not for only $350.

After I drove it about 8 miles, I decided to check the coolent level since the car was running very hot - like as far right as the meter could go! Turns out the resovoir was almost completely dry, so I added some coolant to it (a 50 / 50 mixture).

I drove it another 20 miles or so, and the temperature stayed pretty hot. Then I realized one thing I overlooked was that I had not checked the oil. I left the engine running, and stepped out of the car to check the oil, and almost freaked out to see that the oil level was half way up the dip stick! Then, after asking a question about this on Yahoo Answers, I decided to check the oil with the engine off. Turns out it was way LOW this time, so I added about a quart. I also added some water to the resovoir which was about half empty, and finally the temperature guage started to go down.

One of the things I'm concerned about is how much damage may have been done to the car after it ran extremely hot for about 40 miles...and that's just for the time I drove it

Another thing that concerns me is that there are all kinds of noises coming from the front of the car - I don't THINK its engine related, as the engine seems to want to just go go go, but I don't know for sure if there aren't engine problems. I did notice that there is A LOT of oil on the outside of the engine.

I'm also a little concerned that we put the wrong kind of tranny fluid in earlier, although the bottle did say "Plymouth", so I figure we were on the right track.

One of the things the car does a lot is shakes, so I try not to take it over 40 miles per hour. I notice that the car shakes more as I press on the gas - almost as if I have a flat tire or that the tires need balancing, but then I think that perhaps the motor mounts are bad???

Anyway...so even with the state the car is in, So...I've put about 45 miles on it and it actually runs ok, but its a little nerve wracking - seems like if I press too hard on the gas, the engine will explode or something like that LOL! My guess is that I can probably turn around and sell the car for at least $400, and worse case scenerio, I can probably at least get back what I paid for it, minus what I paid for antifreeze, motor oil, tranny fluid, and water.

So, I guess I'm writing to clear my mind a bit about it and get a little re-assurance (or the bitter truth) and advice on what I should do with it. I'm a pretty honest person, so I would disclose some of the potential problems to anyone who might buy it...but I'm at the point where I think it might be best to sell it while it is still running!

Thanks for listening!

Answer 1

My suggestion is to unload it for what ever you can get for it and cut you're losses. A re-man radiator is about $100 and the shaking is from badly worn drive shafts (half shafts). That's another $100, re-man. If the motor isn't running hot with the radiator full now, that means you dodged the bullet and won't have to buy another head. I have seen these Acclaims run for 400,000 miles, but they were kept up while being driven. It sounds like yours was driven untill it would't go any more. If the car is real clean. and nice to drive and has less than150,000 on it, then you might want to invest some money in it. Otherwise I wouldn't. Sorry.

Answer 2

Honestly, I don't know your situation so I don't want to judge. Maybe you just need something to drive back and forth to your job. Or maybe you needed a really cheap first car. My dad bought a '79 Pontiac Grand Prix when we first got here for about $500 and he had that thing for a couple of years. Even kept it after he got t-boned but one day it overheated on the highway and he just gave it to the tow truck driver. Then he had an '86 Camaro and after a '88 Olds, both were less than $1k. But they never really lasted long. If you do have the potential to save up some more money, then I would definitely recommend selling it. Because cheap stuff always ends up costing you more. If you can't save up then try fixing what you can, and hoping it will last you a while.  

Answer 3

Ok, for the good news, the car doesn't sound too bad.  The bad news is that overheating it did not do you any favors.  You run the range of just blowing a head gasket to cracking and/or warping the head as well as knocking out the head gasket.  YOu haven't said what motor is in it, but if it is the 4cyl.  I have had luck that one overheat didn't hurt anything, but others after that killed my head gasket and put minor cracks in the head (I got real lucky).  To check your motor mounts Have the hood up and put the car first in reverse and hold the brake.  Rev up the engine and see if it tilts.  Do the same process again, but put it in drive.  If you see a lot of tilting of the motor then you have mount issues.  LOw Oil is a good reason for the car to heat up.  You didn't say how much water was in the radiator itself, I always fill it and then add to the overflow to between the low and full marks. As for the oil on the outside, get some degreaser or take it to a car wash and wash it down good.  I suggest that you leave the motor run though.  It sounds like a valve cover gasket that has gone unchecked for years.  If you havent't done so yet, give the car a tune up of spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor.  Avoid Champion plugs even though they were factory equipment, the ones you can buy in a store just don't seem to work right.  I have used Bosch Platinums with success though.  Also, change oil and filter and air filter.  Tranny fluid should be dexron 2 or dexron 3 if that helps any.  Take Care and good luck.  Please don't hesitatet to ask any other questions of me if you have any.

Answer 4

After all that you never gave engine or trans description?  4 or 6 cyl, 3-4 spd auto?

Specific things to check could be, wheels and tires (for the shaking).

Oil condition (is there coolant contaminating it) due to a leaking head gasket.

Does to produce a lot of white steam from the exhaust (indicating coolant leaking into the combustion chamber)?

Basic tune up parts like spark plug, wires, cap and rotor, when failing will cause the engine to overheat, shake and produce poor performance.

The oil leaking is likely from valve cover(s).

Does the fan cycle on and off (it is electric)? The temp will vary a little, not really stay at a steady point unless you are moving. If the temp stays high even when moving then you have a lack of coolant flow indicating a restricted radiator, faulty water pump or stuck closed thermostat.

It is what it is a $350 car, you get what you pay for in this case.

It needs repairs, any car unmaintained for long will cost you money, not just this old Plymouth.

BTW, they tend to be pretty reliable when maintained correctly.