I'm at a crossroad....what would you do - DodgeIntrepid.Net Forums - Dodge Intrepid, Concorde, 300m and Eagle Vision chat

GTXKen · 11-19-2012, 03:05 PM

Here's the deal....

I'm at a crossroads with the most abused of my LH cars. This thing had three owners before me and 4 drivers while I owned in (none were me). Its a 97 with a 3.5 and has 190K on it, it should have life left but like I said its been abused.

Hood is all dented, doors and DS quarter are rusting badly. The two precats are bad and the only way it passed emissions is doing a tailpipe test, they will only do that once so at most this car has 20 more months, tic tic. It needs a front end alignment which I was planning on doing in the next couple weeks but now it started leaking oil pretty badly. Looks like all the cam seals are leaking pretty bad, the entire bottom of the motor is covered with oil and you can see it trailing from the top corners of the motor. I just took (like 10 minutes ago) the front covers off and took a peek and it looks like the seals are wet and there were a couple drops of coolant on the block. TB and WP are no big deal but combined with an alignment and seals I just don't know. It runs great, has solid suspension and newish (9 month old) tires .

One more twist, my dad is selling a low low mileage car come April.

So do I scrap and replace this one now, do I fix it and drive it for another 20 months or do I add oil until April and do the alignment.

So how much work are the cam seals? Whats the cost.

**cdmccul** · 11-19-2012, 03:27 PM

Do you need another parts car? Do you have a car that could receive your good suspension and tires, etc?

YesImLDS · 11-19-2012, 04:47 PM

If you were to scrap it keep me in mind for those tires

GTXKen · 11-19-2012, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdmccul

Do you need another parts car? Do you have a car that could receive your good suspension and tires, etc?

No I don't. In time id use some of the parts but who knows. I'd probably buy another 1st gen with a better body and build bride of frankintrep.

GTXKen · 11-19-2012, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YesImLDS

If you were to scrap it keep me in mind for those tires

I will be hanging onto the tires, I have other cars they fit.

**cdmccul** · 11-19-2012, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTXKen

No I don't. In time id use some of the parts but who knows. I'd probably buy another 1st gen with a better body and build bride of frankintrep.

X2!!!! Yes, that is what to do.

GTXKen · 11-19-2012, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdmccul

X2!!!! Yes, that is what to do.

That was my first thought but I think I may be better oof just getting the alignment and riding it out until April pissing oil.

**cdmccul** · 11-19-2012, 06:16 PM

April is when your tags are due? What is April in significance?

GTXKen · 11-19-2012, 06:45 PM

My dad is selling a low mileage (37K) car in April that I have had dibs on since he bought it new in 02. Its an Impala LS with a timing chain 3.8L. Its never been driven in Winter and the last two years he had it in Florida, he wants to get rid of it when he leaves Florida at the end of March/early April next year. I'll likely have to fly down and get it.