Dodge Stealth.. Broke down

2001Ram · #1 07-22-2009, 04:39 AM

So, My grandmother has a 1993 Dodge Stealth.. Good shape, grandmother driven and it just hit 60K. Well I didnt know it had to have a 60K mile tune up (im used to american made cars) and the pump froze, belt jumped time and now I am sure bent valves.

I am 16 and taking autotech classes. I have torn down a motor from a 1993 Mustang LX no problem. I open the hood on the Stealth and I get lost.

I am not sure what the car is worth, how strong is the market for these cars? I dont want to spend $1500 on this car to sell it for $2000. Then again its such a nice car... I hate to see it crushed or destroyed.

What all does it involve to to fix this. I saw the write up on just the pump and belt install and it looked like a nightmare. Also, I think this car needed VSS (Nightmare)
I feel sorry for my Grandmother as she has no car right now, but I think she needs somthing less sporty(and so expencive to maintain)

Anyway thanks for the help and sorry for the long write up..

Ryan

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SPARTANENGINEER1701 · #2 07-22-2009, 06:18 AM

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2001Ram · #3 07-22-2009, 02:37 PM

Now thats an Idea. I could get an SOHC motor from a junkyard.. They are easier to work on and more reliable right?

Correct, she has a 1993 Dodge Stealth ES with DOHC in Hunter Green with white interior.
Just turned 60K

JeffWVR4 · #4 07-22-2009, 11:46 PM

To determine if you bent valves, you'd need to replace the pump, the belt, tensioner, and pulleys and do a compression check. Replacing the timing belt is not an easy job even for a seasoned mechanic.

If you bent valves, you could be looking at more than $1500 just in labor alone, unless you are able to pull the engine, remove the heads, and put it all back together, and re-install the engine yourself. Plus another $400+ for a machine shop to recondition the heads with new seals and replace the bent valves, and another $500+ for parts.

2001Ram · #5 07-23-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffWVR4

To determine if you bent valves, you'd need to replace the pump, the belt, tensioner, and pulleys and do a compression check. Replacing the timing belt is not an easy job even for a seasoned mechanic.

If you bent valves, you could be looking at more than $1500 just in labor alone, unless you are able to pull the engine, remove the heads, and put it all back together, and re-install the engine yourself. Plus another $400+ for a machine shop to recondition the heads with new seals and replace the bent valves, and another $500+ for parts.

Yeah thats the thing I dont want to have to put a bunch of money into it for nothing.. Ya know? I just dont know what to do..

SPARTANENGINEER1701 · #6 07-23-2009, 01:00 AM

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SPARTANENGINEER1701 · #7 07-23-2009, 08:14 AM

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2001Ram · #8 07-23-2009, 02:23 PM

So what do yall think, grandma doesnt have a whole lot of $$ to spend at the moment. The motor in the car has only 60K on it. So should we rebuild or risk putting in another motor?

What does a shop generally charge for a 60K tune up?
Her car is fun to drive, and the Stealths look cool. But maintence is a PITA!
anyway well keep looking into options, I just dont want to see her car crushed for $1000 ya know?

Ryan
I can post a pic of the car if yall want to see.. IDK

2001Ram · #9 07-23-2009, 02:30 PM

JeffWVR4 · #10 07-23-2009, 09:27 PM

My shop charges $875 for the 60K maintenance. Dealerships will charge over $1000 and up.

The cost of a used replacement engine can cost more than the cost of fixing yours, and you still have the cost of labor to pull and replace the engine. And buying a used engine is a crap shoot anyway. You never know what you're getting.

Decisions......decisions.... Good luck!