Ruiner's 96 Dodge (No longer safe for 56k)

[Ruiner77]

Ok... here goes.

Ive had my Dodge Avenger ES since i bought it new in '96. Its now got about 130K miles on it and has some issues. Ive replaced the belts, hoses, brakes, rotors, auto transmission, and struts all within the last 3 years.

At this point the issues i know i have are as f ollows:

Leaking head gasket
damaged oil pan
sparkplugs (plat) need to be replaced
plug wires need to be replaced (plugs and wires require removing the intake manifold)
clunking in the rear suspension somwhere when ya go up curbs and speedbumps (possibly strut towers)
headlight lenses are horribly fogged
and a paint job that has needed serious attention for YEARS

so my question for you guys is.... do any of you have the general knowhow to help me do this stuff? I think this would be a good car for me to learn on since its old and not a huge deal what i do to it at this point. Id love to be able to get it up and running clean. Its gonna take some work but i think it will be worth it. Id also like to see if any of you are able to diagnose any other potential problems i may have that i havent noticed. Any help would be great and ill even supply the beer.

When it comes to the paint... the whole car needs a repaint and dent work... what is the most affordable option for this? i dont want to go as far as show paint, but i dont want to use spray cans either lol. Just a quick paint would do i think since its my wifes car and doesnt get driven THAT much. Just something that would look nice.

Do any of you know how to clean up fogged headlights? i think they could be polished but im not sure how to do it.

Thanks for reading :wink:

[moxie]

I would be willing to give you a hand.

Most of those things are relatively easy to fix, though requiring removal manifold to do plugs and wires is asinine on dodges part.

Headgasket isn't the easiest thing, but it is doable once the weather gets better.


Headlights can be polished. Mother's or Maguire's makes a 1 stage plastic polish called Plastic-X
Works pretty good, but it probably wont totally clear them up.

[kev]

I've had rear clump before, and it was one of two things:
1) rear sway bar was disconnected on one side as the endlink was broken/gone
2) bad shock

[wgnths]

i hate dodge.

[Ruiner77]

LOLOL so do i man... so do i. And then again... the entire engine is made by Mitsubishi :P

[Ruiner77]

Dirty ass engine

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010010.JPG

Every mark here is either scratches or actual chips in the paint. this doesnt even show the worst of it.

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010001.JPG

Massive jacked up paint on the spoiler. The paint is just cracking like mad

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010005.JPG

Same thing goes for the top of the car

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010006.JPG

Real nice boot heal dent that an asshole on a chopper did to my car in rush hour traffic

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010007.JPG

Last but not least... the jacked up headlight lenses

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010009.JPG

http://members.cox.net/deanrobitaille/dodge/P1010011.JPG

:P there hosted them myself LOL.

[F-This]

I'm getting "this site not supported" :?

[DangerViking]

same here :) but I'd definately be willing to lend a hand. Summer school's over after next week. hurrah! so, we've got Nick's AE86, and of course my poor Trac, but i'm sure we can find time to work on it. Always wanted to do a headgasket anyway :) I know, I'm crazy....

[Ruiner77]

There we go... changed the host... works now :P sorry bout that.

So yea... anything you guys could help with would be kick ass. Just let me know. I was thinking about having my wife bring it on sturday to Nick's folks place just so you guys could take a look yourselves. Let me know if thats cool, or if i should wait. :oops: :oops:

[Ruiner77]

Does anyone have any suggestions on the paint? i was probably going to have it repainted, but since its only gonna last a matter of a few more years i didnt want to drop $1000 on paint... ya know?

[wgnths]

i wouldnt bother.....or take it to maaco and spend $500. should look ok for a year or two.