22nd Apr 2007, 13:59

The Mitsubishi 3.0 motor is a real pile of junk... you can spend thousands on this engine trying to get it right. The metal valve guides slide down and cause the oil leaks- just replacing the seals won't work. Parts cost an arm and a leg for this engine. Working on it sucks... has a timing belt instead of a chain, water pump is driven by the belt... trust me, what would be a simple repair job on a Chrysler motor is a nightmare on this Japanese marvel... don't do it to yourself.

20th Jun 2007, 03:14

Am sorry I don't agree!!! the 3.0 Mitsubishi engine runs good & I have 80,000 miles on my landau... the gas mileage is good & with any car, repairs are a must!!! I also have a good mechanic & he highly recommends this engine, if you take care of it, it will last!!! my mechanic said that the tranny do stink in the 89 new yorker!!!

22nd Jan 2008, 19:03

I have a 1989 Chrysler New Yorker Landau. I just replaced the transmission - cost $2K, didn't want to, but my husband kept saying it's worth it. About a week later, the brakes failed. Took it to the mechanic for what I thought would be an easy brake replacement, until he called me to say that the Antilock Brake Master Cylinder unit is the problem, but the biggest problem is that they don't make this part anymore. I called a Chrysler dealer who said they only made this system for cars during 88-90. Now I can't find the part and don't know what else to do. I cannot believe that there is no recourse for this. Any idea???

22nd Apr 2008, 07:43

I love the car, not without minor faults... the biggest problem is the anti lock brake system... my yellow dash light and red brake light went on and I lost my brakes... after a $100.00 diagnostic check I'm told the system is flawed from the get-go and a rebuilt unit is $1400.00 plus labor to fix... so my choices are? junk it or junk it... anybody have any other ideas?

4th Jan 2009, 11:54

I have a 1989 New Yorker and the car itself, I love!!

It's so comfy and nice to drive, tranny had to be replaced, luckily that was done a year before I bought it.

The only problem I have had, and is still going on right now is major oil burning. I believe it's burning from the piston rings, because it's smoking at acceleration and idle; if it were valve stem seals it would usually only be at start up, it would puff smoke.

I have just replaced the oil with a much thicker 20w50 and added a bottle of 6 cylinder engine restore, and seems to be much better. It's still smoking but not as much, and I don't have to add a litre every 3 days now.

All and all, the car is great, always starts, never brakes down, but at this age, it's not worth doing any major repairs, so patch your problems while you can, run it till it dies.. hope for the best, then cut your losses and move on.

20th Jan 2010, 13:35

I am on my second '89 New yorker Landau. The first was a red one with a moon roof. Paid $ 2,500.00. I have to admit, lots of problems. Trans. leaking roof, window lift motors, smoke. etc. Last year, I saw an ad on Craigslist, for an '89, 10 miles away, @ $ 2,000.00. the guy had spent $!2,000.00 in the last 3 years, on it (his dad's car) I thought that there was nothing more to go wrong. Wrong! ABS brakes and starter motor problems. If I could put a small block Chevy in it, I would. Now, why do I keep this? It's because it's one of the most beautiful cars ever made. A real head-turner. Take a look at the lines. Moving sculpture. I'm sunk.

2nd Feb 2010, 21:47

Hey, what's up?

I have a 1989 Chrysler New Yorker myself. I must have had it about 3 months now. I paid 400 for the car in the back woods sitting under a tree with a for sale sign on it. I asked the owner how it runs, he said good, but I wanted to hear the engine. While he was getting the key, I opened the door, and the interior was clean but smelled, and the odometer read 104100. When he came back with the key, it wouldn't start because the battery was dead from sitting about 6 months. Got a jump and it started right up with power. I was shocked, let it run for a minute and put it in gear and pulled out with no problem, and everything in the car works, can't believe it.

Bought the car put about 800 in it, it runs excellent, all the chrome is there everything works. I looked in the glove box and found the manual, and found out that they are the original owners, brought it brand new with special orders.

The car is beautiful, all I need is a paint job and I'm complete. I had a lot of offers and complements about the car. I love it. If I can send you pics I would. Damn, what a great deal.

5th Jun 2014, 17:00

Well here I am. It is 2014 and we still have the old 1989 New Yorker Landau 3.0 engine (25 years). Beautiful car with lots of real metal chrome, Claret Red with red velour interior. Very comfortable to drive. Purchased in 1989 with 6000 miles from the dealer. Paint still looks great, no rust.

After two months, the trans had to be replaced and the dealer also did a recall on the valve guides. But the dealer mechanic did not do a good job. After the warranty ran out, it started smoking.

Two years ago, the timing belt broke. The car sat in the garage for two years. I decided to repair the engine myself since I am retired (and loving it) and have the time. Luckily, it has a non-interference engine. I am seeing so much shoddy work that was done by the dealer's mechanics, since they are the only ones who ever serviced the car. Oil is leaking down valves' stems into exhaust, antifreeze was leaking from water pump gasket, oil leaking from valve covers, loose wires, bolts not tightened, etc.

The timing belt was soaked with oil and antifreeze, and probably why it broke. It has 106000 miles (mostly wife miles). I know what you would say - 106000 miles?? I drove a Subaru for 21 years, put 345000 miles on it and only changed the timing belt once at 215000 miles.

The wife prefers to drive the NY instead of the newer Chevy Malibu (crappy car). "Since they don't make them like they used to!!!" The engine is easy to work on and there is lots of room.

25th Sep 2014, 16:17

I have a Chrysler New Yorker Landau, the Mark Cross edition. I love the car, but I'm having the same brake problem. I hope someone can help me with finding a solution 301-455-6167. Thanks.

29th Sep 2014, 17:47

Most, if not all, of that 'real metal" chrome is actually... plastic!

26th Oct 2014, 21:23

I had brake problem on my '89 New Yorker too. It sat for 8 months, finally found that NAPA could send in the brake part for rebuild, cost $500.00, but now they work.

I really hate this car; once one thing is fixed, another thing goes out. Now it's the timing belt and water pump. I would gladly sell for $1500.00 or OBO 503-313-8729.

5th Apr 2017, 15:37

Just bought a 89 Landau, 900$.

I'm having an issue with steering wheel play, I can't drive it right now because there is so much play in the steering, any ideas?

6th Apr 2017, 18:51

Tie rod ends. Steering rack. Is this why you only paid $900 for it?