Re: Should I buy this 86 5kCS Q T?

[Wallace White <wallace@remdesign.com>]

Aleksander Mierzwa wrote:
> 
> At 12:46 99-02-21 -0500, Robert J. Albrecht wrote:
>
> The leak will be getting worse fast, BTDT. The rack needs to be rebuilt,
> which costs couple hundred of bucks, depending on whether the sleeve has to
> be replaced as well.

A rebuilt rack can be had for a little under $200 from Jorgen
Automotive. You can change them yourself if you've got the time,
inclination, and an assistant. Otherwise I've heard it's a four or five
hour job at a shop.

> >2. Leak at power steering pump.  What should I ask for? Related to r&p
> >problem?
> 
> Same as with the rack: the leak will be getting worse quite fast and the
> only way to fix this is to rebuild the pump. The seal kit costs only about
> $15 and if you are mechanically inclined and have the Bentley manual, you
> can do this yourself. Otherwise rebuilt pumps with core exchange cost about
> $150.

I thought they cost a little more than that... anyway, there's a good
chance the seal kit will do the trick, and it's not that much
work--certainly not compared to changing the rack. BTDT on both.

> >3. It has the electronic push button climate control and I'm not
> >gertting a lot of heat. Core problem? Valve problem? Electronics
> >problem? How do I know?
> 
> In the engine compartment, between the engine and the firewall you will
> find a plastic gizmo with coolant hoses attached - this is the heater
> valve. Let someone alternate between "HI" and "LO" settings on the climate
> control head while you watch if the arm on the valve actully moves. 

I think the heater valve defaults to open without vacuum; the same
solenoid valve that actuates the recirc door actuates the heater valve.
The recirc door gets opened and the heater valve gets closed at LO in
AUTO mode. I think the temp control motor is the likely culprit. You can
open the glovebox and see the top of the thing, though it's confusing if
you don't know what to look for.

- Wallace
  '87 5kcstq 152k