more 500 turbo drama- locks& pressure hose problems

[Mike Arman]

>From: "Rafhia" <rafhia.hamilton at verizon.net>
>
>Subject: more 500 turbo drama- locks& pressure hose problems
>Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2003 22:39:59 -0400
>Hello All,
>Does anyone know of a good/acceptable mechanic in the Philadelphia area. Our
>88 5000Cs turbo is falling apart as I type this e-mail. I need a new
>pressure hose (hydrolic oil is leaking everywhere)I go through 2 bottles a
>week! And as of 8pm tonight, none of the locks work, so I cant even get
>inside the car. The name of someone reasonable would be appreciated. If you
>have any idea of how to get into the car, that would be great too.
>Thanks
>Rafhia Foster-Hamilton
>rafhia.hamilton at verizon.net
>


1) Don't panic.

2) You should still be able to get into the trunk. If so, you can blow
compressed air into the green plastic hose leading from the trunk lock
vacuum capsule (disconnect hose, blow into car end, not lock capsule end.
You'll need compressed air for this, you can't do this by blowing into the
hose yourself), and the locks on the doors should open (unless there's a
HUGE leak somewhere). Once in the car, you (or your mechanic) can figure
out why the vacuum door locks are not opening. This may be as simple as a
fuse or a hose has fallen off somewhere. I've also seen the rubber
diaphragms in the door lock capsules go bad - these are junkyard parts, $3
each, and I like to have a few spares lying around. You can tell if you
have a leaking capsule because lock actuation is very slow, and you will
hear the lock pump running for longer than usual.

3) Other door opening problems are either door handles (exterior) or
linkage problems from the interior door to the latch assembly. The fronts
are cable, and seem never to give trouble. The rears have some
biodegradable plastic bits in the actuator rods, and these do break.
Usually ONE of the door handles, inside or out does work, and then you can
open the door, remove the door panel, and fix the problem. Outside door
handles can be changed without removing the door panel if you are careful,
but you do have to be able to open the door.

4) The leaky upper power steering hose is a common problem. I'm told NAPA
has a replacement hose for $28. I'm not sure if your car uses aluminum
crush washers (four) or green O-rings to seal the ends of the hose, but you
need the correct hose and new crush washers or seal rings. Hydraulic supply
places (fix bulldozers, etc.) can take your old hose and re-use the end
fittings (the expensive parts), and just replace the rubber part. I had
this done over five years ago, not a drop leaks from there ever since (of
course there are drops - and then some - leaking from other places . . . ).

Sounds like you have maybe half a day's tinkering here, nothing serious.

It is important to keep up with, and keep ahead of, the various mechanical
foibles of these complex, older cars - if you let problems accumulate,
suddenly NOTHING works and you wind up disgusted and getting $0.00 on a
trade-in for something nasty like a Ford Focus or some other econo-sh*t box.

Best Regards,

Mike Arman