Car Problems - Need Reliable Help

[jswift286]

Hello. I have a 1985 Dodge Diplomat that I bought a few months ago. It is giving me some problems so I wanted to get some advice and/or help.

These are the problems I'm having with it:

1: Sometimes while driving the car will begin to buck (stutter) and also begin to shake when I slow down and stop.

2: Not noticeble now that the weather is warm, but in the winter when starting the car it would begin to put out a large amount of exhaust, which would then go away after a few more minutes or warming up. The exhaust also leaves a black mark on the concrete.

3: From the smell the car puts out people have told me I'm burning oil.

4: My car is leaking something. It leaves a large black stain, but it doesn't have the bubbly, colored appearance of a typical oil spill.

5: I have had repeated problems with my car stalling (more specifically when slowing down) if I don't let it have a good warm up, probably atleast 5 minutes (even in warm weather) before I hit the gas pedal to kick it in.

I would highly appreciate it if anyone could give me reliable help about these problems with my car. Also, would it not be worth it to invest the money to fix it? The Exterior is in good condition, only a little rust on the bottom, and the interior is in great, clean condition. What would be a good price to sell it for?

Thanks,

Jswift286

[drdisque]

the oil burning is likely due to a failing piston ring.

I would estimate that that car isn't worth more than $400 or $500

[MagicRat]

It sounds as if this car has Dodge Disease.
The 318 V8 had smaller than normal exhaust passages through the intake manifold.
These passages allow exhaust gases to heat up the incoming fuel/air mixture in the intake manifold, allowing the engine to run better when cold.
In this particular engine design, these passages get blocked up easily with carbon, which prevents the exhaust gases from warming things up the way they should.
The result is poor cold-engine performance as you have described.
This condition is only made worse by the oil burning your car is doing.
You can remove the intake manifold and clean out the carbon fairly easily, but it will block up again in a few months if your car is burning oil.

[jswift286]

OK, thanks a lot for the information.

Jswift286