Nothing yet, though it did need a new battery within one week of purchase. The previous owner split that cost with me. They hardly ever drove it.
I had to put a new used A/C compressor in it - total cost around 4,500 baht ($125).
I think it will soon need a new clutch - when I let it out in first it tends to shudder a lot. This isn't the normal 'lugging the engine' shudder from not giving it enough gas (revs), its more like the clutch plate isn't gripping well. Anyone have any tips on diagnosing a bad clutch?
The car is great for Thailand, but I wouldn't make any long trips in it.
The sale price was close to $1,500 - back in the US this would be a $500 car.
I'm a little nervous about long term reliability due to the car's age, but hope it will serve for another couple of years.
Original poster here - please anyone give me some advice about this clutch. It is still doing the chuck-a-chuck-a-chucka vibration when I let it out in first, but also now it has actually SLIPPED several times as I accellerate in second gear.
Am I right in guessing this to be the clutch plate being worn out? I just want to know a bit more before I go in to face the Thai mechanics (language barrier, etc.)
Also anyone have any idea what it might cost?
Just another update from the original poster here. I took the car in and had an oil change, and asked them to 'check the clutch'. They say it wasn't the clutch but the 'gears'. Anyway the car is still going along exactly the same 3,000 kilometers later, so I guess I'll just keep driving it this way. The shudder at takeoff isn't all that bad.
Original poster reporting in here: I have continued to ignore the shudder at takeoff and it seems to be no problem. It just continues going that way. I wanted to mention another problem that the car has had ever since I bought it - when I start the car, there is a tremendous racket from the motor, and the oil light comes on. This goes on for about 30 seconds whent the car is cold and has been sitting all night, but then it goes away and the oil light goes off. When I re-start the car after just sitting a few minutes, this racket only goes on a few seconds, and isn't as loud. I've heard this described as 'valve clatter', and I wonder is there anything to be done about it? I've changed the oil and filter, and keep it checked frequently (it never burns or loses any, and the oil always looks 'clean').
Original poster here - just going over my paperwork and I see that my car is a 1984, not a 1982 (the Thai dates are a bit different from Western Calendar). Of course its the same car, really. I think this model was sold in Thailand for a few more years after it was discontinued in the US (and possibly Japan).
I'm still getting a LOT of clutch shudder when I take off in first gear, and even worse in reverse. Wonder what it could be?
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