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1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix?


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6079
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Jun 4, 2012, 5:43 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1637 views)
1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

 
1992
Chevy

Lumina
3.1
147,000 miles

Symptoms: My several year old battery died out of the blue. I replaced it, yet the car hesitates and pulses forward when in 1st gear and will often die when coming to a complete stop. Turning on heat or A/C causes it to hum about twice as loudly as it very weakly manages to, otherwise.

Known problems: I'm leaking oil somewhere - likely the front. Also excessive white smoke and some black substance come through and remain on lip of exhaust pipe upon starting. I'm also leaking power steering fluid, but am replenishing it regularly, although I may have grinded the part.

Questions: It was recommended I get a computer diagnostic performed. I saw an ad for an independent, mobile mechanic who will do this for about half of what a franchised shop will. Is his equipment likely to be just as reliable or is there an advantage at a large shop?

Being an old car I'm not likely to keep many more years, and a cheap man, am I better suited bypassing the diagnostic in favor of an informed repair that is likely to fix to these issues? For example, if it just needs a tune up -- since I've not done so in many years -- would it make more economic sense to first perform that tune up and see if the problems clear up? Or are these symptoms serious enough that it could be a large problem not worth fixing on this old car, therefore making that potential tuneup a waste? Even better, is it possible for a mechanic offering free diagnosis to rule out and minimize the number of possible causes?

I think you get my issue. I'd just like to avoid any unnecessary costs, if they can be reasonably ruled out by knowledge or the order in which I attempt to get it diagnosed/repaired.

Thanks very much.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 4, 2012, 6:57 PM

Post #2 of 6 (1601 views)
Re: 1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

You have white smoke and oil dripping out tail-pipe, engine oil leaks, PS leak, late tune-up, want a free diagnostic on a 20 year old car.

What are you smoking! Frugal is one thing, cheap will bite you almost always. At a glance of all these problems, near certain a head gasket job which may require replacements heads far exceed what this car could be worth IMO.

It's apparent you don't want to but even a quick professional mobile tech would probably declare this car too far gone to be worth it or ignore your cheapness (you said it) and just keep doing stuff and at 1/2 the charge still go broke,

T



nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Jun 5, 2012, 5:44 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1545 views)
Re: 1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

If you don't want to spend money on the car, scrap it and buy some nice shoes. You'll need them. But as Tom says this is likely too far gone and not worth the cost of repair. Enter a demo derby and maybe you can win a cash prize before you haul it to the scrap heap.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 6, 2012, 1:11 AM

Post #4 of 6 (1522 views)
Re: 1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

Nick - love the idea to pick up a few last bucks at a demo derby!

You missed your calling. Time for a book deal and forget all this car crap,

Tom





nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
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Jun 6, 2012, 4:25 PM

Post #5 of 6 (1502 views)
Re: 1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

As soon as all the statutes of limitations expire I will write a book that will blow your mind.


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Jun 7, 2012, 3:38 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1495 views)
Re: 1992 Chevy Lumina - hesitating / pulsing forward in 1st gear. Diagnostics or cheaper fix? Sign In

I want a signed copy!

Tom







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