New to dsm(tranny problems)

[mathewkinakin]

Hello I am new to dsm and I am looking into buying a 1992 Plymouth laser Awd turbo it has 108000kms but has tranny issues the 2nd gear syncro is messed and also has a high idling problem as well during the hotter weather. So I was wondering how hard it is to pull a tranny out of this car, how much a temporary replacement tranny will cost and what this high idling problem is exactly i believe it's some kinda sensor but im not sure. So any help is appreciatted thank you.

[Jason Harwood]

Do a search for high idle, we have many threads with many solutions to that issue.

Pulling the transmission out of one of these isnt very hard, it took me ~3 hours to pull mine out alone.
Finding transmisisons for the car isnt very hard, but finding good working ones are.
People normally want ~500 minimum or so for a AWD tranny in good condition.

[mathewkinakin]

i have heard from some people that it is easier to pull the engine entirely then pull off the the transmission from there. Is this true?

[Jason Harwood]

i have heard from some people that it is easier to pull the engine entirely then pull off the the transmission from there. Is this true?

In some cars it is, in these, not necessarily.  If you wanted to pull the engine, then you could do alot of maintenance and checking though.
Depends on on thurough you want to be.

[mathewkinakin]

well most of the routine maintenance has been done so far such as water pump, timing belt etc. If i did pull the motor what would be some things to do if the engine and car has 108000km. i am more just trying to find out if this car is worth buying and fixing or not.

[Brett Haviland]

Dsm trannys are super easy compared to some other cars I have worked on

[mathewkinakin]

well for 2500 dollars with a bunch of extra parts for the car(worth 1500 bucks i believe) with a set of winter tires on rims with two spares, with the transmission problem and the idle problem is it worth the work in the end? and it also needs paint but i dont care about that at the moment.

[mathewkinakin]

and the car has only 108000 original km on it. and interior is mint.

[Dan Silburn]

Pics!

[Brett Haviland]

sounds like its worth it to me.  These cars are a blast to drive when they run, and run properly.

[Richard Steger]

If the owner gives you good vibes and/or has maintenance records, has a clean car proof report, its a great deal for that # KM's.  Check what month it was built in, makes a difference on how good the motor is... you want one built from jan - april 1992 although if it's april or may it could be iffy.  Read this http://www.vfaq.com/mods/early-late-engine.html

[Brett Haviland]

meh even a 7 bolt 1G engine or a 7 bolt 2G engine will put 400 WHP down all day long.  the 1G 7 bolts dont walk that often anyways

[Richard Steger]

True 'nuf Brett.  History is more important than build date.  If those are legit km's, great deal.

[Mikael Mikkelsen]

I have a 7 bolt awd tranny in my for sale ad, $125 and it comes with a tight clutch, but you gotta pull it out yourself (most of the motors out anyways)

[John Hartman]

sounds like a good deal to me.  Super low k, if its legit.

Idle surge or high idle is more than likely a relatively easy fix.

Change the oil in the tranny to some Pennzoil SynchroShift or some GM synchromesh(Delco).  If it gets better, and you can live with it be happy.  If not, find a good used tranny or pull yours and have someone who knows these transmissions(not just someone who wants the job) rebuild it for you.  You can also try adjusting the clutch pedal, the shifter linkages and make sure all the shifter bushings(under shifter boot and underhood) are all tight and snug.  When I bought mine it had 211k on it and it ground a bit going into 2nd.  I changed the oil in it, and adjusted it all up and put new bushings etc in the shifter system and it was much better.  I drove it daily for 2-3 years like that.

At the end of the day, if the body is structurally sound, and you fix the minor things wrong with it, you will have a nice, fun, reliable car that gets decent mileage, and has low kilometers.