The radiator cracked and leaked all the fluid out. I was very lucky to catch the temperature rising, so I shut off the car and avoided blowing the head gasket.
The tranny might be slipping, but I'm not sure. The 3 spd auto is very "loose" to begin with.
The radio display only works when the radio is on. If not, then the clock disappears.
The turbo valve is broken, so it doesn't pick up well over 3400 rpms. I don't know what's wrong, but I want to find out so I can get the full use out of the turbo again.
Muffler fell off.
I'll be clear, despite the problems, I LOVE THIS CAR. I'm mad because the TURBO issue which causes the car to die at 3500 rpms. The Turbo works, but I can't figure out how to fix it to make it fully operational. If I stomp on it, it will cut out and make a terrible sound in the head, like major valve pinging. If I gradually ease on the gas, the turbo kicks in just fine and away I go. I think it's the blow off valve, or exhaust proportioning valve (if it has one, I'm not quite sure). Please help, I want my turbo back.
This car, even without a fully working turbo is very quick. 0-60 in under 7.0 seconds, people underestimate the power of these things. I drove it to 144 near the Bonneville Salt Flats, and it made it relatively easily. I'm sure once I get the turbo back, it'll pass 150.
The suspension on this car is probably worn out, because it has serious body lean and has a super cushy ride.
Gas mileage is decent if you are nice to it. I get about 31 MPG driving it nicely, and 17 if I don't. The tank is huge! 160 miles and I'm still above 1/2 tank.
The car is a total throw away car and is built like a disposable camera. Sure the main components work, but little things like the shifter marker, window switches, hubcaps, emblems, and pretty much anything that's plastic, is broken or cracked.
The cooling system on this car sucks. I'm hoping a larger radiator and low temperature thermostat will keep me in the normal range. This car likes to heat up quickly. It makes it to 215 degrees very easily and never stays at 192 when normally driving it. I think this is why a lot of people blow their engines.
Well, my $800 obnoxious Daytona Yellow Lebaron has got to be one of my favorite cars I've ever owned. It's loud (custom exhaust), obscene (bright yellow paint), and cool. It's pretty, and the interior is nice looking, even with the missing plastic pieces. It's a winner in my book, and I hope to run it into the ground.
You sound like a smart guy. Most folks overheat their engines and ruin them. I've had several old Chrysler products and loved them. They are built like a tank and will go forever if you take just a little care of them. I got 240,000 miles out of my last one and it ran perfect when I sold it. The sloppy trans is probably a dirty filter. That was all it was on mine. Also, a cooler thermostat may be all you need to drop your running temperature. I'd try that before a larger radiator. That worked for me too.
The turbo issue just happened to be a broken vacuum hose on the wastegate. The turbo is back, and now it's faster than ever.
157!!! I nearly maxed it out, and the tires were about to blow, but it made it. It also drained 1/6 tank of gas. This car also has more power than a stock Lebaron, so I'm not sure if a standard Lebaron would make it that fast.
I don't see how it's even remotely possibly you got your Lebaron with a 3-SPEED AUTOMATIC up to 157mph. Surely you mean kilometers, haha. I once got my Plymouth Acclaim with the non-turbo version of the same engine and same transmission up to 100mph. The entire car was vibrating and the engine was SCREAMING! I don't see these cars capable of the speeds you mention or maybe your speedo is broken. Besides, if you keep driving it like it sounds you do, it'll wear out very quickly. These cars were not designed for high performance driving.
I have a 3 speed Neon transmission in my car and I took it to 104 mph/not kmh. Pretty easy with about 4200 rpms on the tach. I have a Turbo, and it seems like it would easily make it to 130 or 140 mph. Since I don't have tires that would handle that speed, I haven't been able to try yet. Haha, 157 kmh would be about 98 mph right? I guess my car could do 200!!
I bought a new 89 LeBaron turbo1 2.5l with a 5 speed, I loved the car then, and still love the thing. If you replaced the computer 150 MILES/HOUR is not unreachable, I up graded the injectors and at 3500rpm the stock fuel pump and regulator couldn't keep up. A pump from a glh or Shelby will work. I hope you still have it.
Chrysler products of this era, especially the four banger turbos, were never know for their reliability or durability for that matter. When treated with care, (that means not driving like a mindless clown and going 100+ MPH!) These motors still had a poor repair index. Head gasket failure, frozen turbo chargers (excessive heat), oil leaks, cracked cylinder heads, you name it... As for Chrysler's three speed and even the four speed automatic transmissions (front wheel drive units), anyone who knows them knows they are major sore spots! The old torqueflites were built like Goliath and those FWD transmissions were about as brawny as Pee Wee Herman! Those sad old K cars were Chrysler's darkest period; without a doubt!
Does anyone know what the right price for a rebuild for a new tranny would be? I have an 89 LeBaron GTC turbo 2.6 l convertible, and love it, but 2nd gear is completely gone and 1st is going and reverse is starting to go as well. It's my baby, so I want to get it fixed.
I think it's one of the best cars ever. They are built to last; I mean I don't see my 2007 Chevy lasting as long as this car lasts.
My husband found a place that will do a rebuild for $750. I think its great because most other places want at least 1 or 2 grand. Just checking to see what you all think...
The small 4 cyl. Chrysler products from the '80s were, overall, very good cars. Please note - many of the early LeBarons came with 2.6L Mitsubishi engines and 1990 - 1995 came with 3.0L Mitsubishis. Those engines were low power / performance, and a little costly to repair (IE: 3.0L water pump - OUCH).
The Chrysler 4 cyls. on the other hand, were well engineered and offered increased horsepower through the years. Yes, as most engines, they have their weaknesses (don't let them overheat - the aluminum head can warp). But the 1989 2.5 turbo was a great 4 banger. The block is called the "common block" and is overbuilt high-strength alloy steel.
The reader who posted on 29th Dec 2007 and said these cars were problematic was not well informed. The trannies were more than adequate - these were not high-performance cars even with the turbo, except the Turbo IV engine - only with 5 speed.
Yes there were turbo problems, but almost all turbo-ed cars of the era had the same problem. This was because owners were never told to cool down the turbo before shutting off the engine!
I bought my '89 coupe 2.5 turbo at 98,000 miles. It drove so well, it felt like a car with no more than 40K miles - tight, solid, well-built, and no squeaks/rattles.
Sadly, Chrysler did cheapen the car in 1990 with a minor make-over, and went with the 3.0L Mits I mentioned above. It was more plastic and didn't hold up as long.
Lastly, TRANNY REBUILD - just remember you get what you pay for! $750 is on the low side, at least in Los Angeles. Top dollar would be ABOUT $1,300. There are differences in different regions of the country.
Super, super car for the money!
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