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kentuck

(110,950 posts)
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:14 PM Apr 2013

I have this problem with my car...

I have had it for many years. I have always trusted it to get me where I am going. But now, the engine is shot. I get a lot of dark smoke coming out the tailpipes.

My dilemma is that I really love this old car. I have become attached to it over the years. It still looks good. But it just doesn't function anymore.

Should I try to repair it? Maybe put a new engine in it? Or just trade it in and get a new one?

46 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I have this problem with my car... (Original Post) kentuck Apr 2013 OP
See a good auto mechanic, get a reliable diagnosis and estimate of repairs, elleng Apr 2013 #1
Totally agree with you, elleng. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #7
Right Right Right, dixiegrrrrl! elleng Apr 2013 #9
OMG the Camry wagon, what a sweet car! NYC_SKP Apr 2013 #17
Right, SKP, they stopped making it (and wagons generally?) elleng Apr 2013 #20
Wow...we both have '93 Toyotas..... dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #28
My son drives a '93 Camry Freddie Apr 2013 #35
Good mechanic is a treasure, to be protected and fed beverages of his/her choice. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #40
RIGHT, knock on wood!!! elleng Apr 2013 #41
Last year I bought a 2012 Subaru Impreza Premium... rexcat Apr 2013 #24
Right, and check around at junkyards for a replacement engine Warpy Apr 2013 #18
Does loving it involve driving it? Xipe Totec Apr 2013 #2
Hey guys! This is an analogy for how we progressives feel about the Dem. party! Divernan Apr 2013 #3
In that case, elleng Apr 2013 #6
So who is the black smoke? The Straight Story Apr 2013 #10
Because when the engine is shot... kentuck Apr 2013 #12
See a few posts above :) (nt) The Straight Story Apr 2013 #33
That just means it didn't find a new pope. Warpy Apr 2013 #19
ahh..so he is driving a.........popeless mobile. dixiegrrrrl Apr 2013 #31
Good catch, Divernan. kentuck Apr 2013 #13
Is your question a metaphor? superpatriotman Apr 2013 #4
The answer depends on a lot of information SheilaT Apr 2013 #5
Is this another boob thread? randome Apr 2013 #8
Car repairs SamKnause Apr 2013 #11
Depends on the repairs davidn3600 Apr 2013 #14
You can replace the engine, cloudbase Apr 2013 #15
Maybe you should stop parking it on top of that pyramid, Kentuck! PA Democrat Apr 2013 #16
Sounds like the piston rings are in need of replacement Spider Jerusalem Apr 2013 #21
Rings are almost always blue/white smoke Mopar151 Apr 2013 #25
That's what I was thinking too, good catch Fumesucker Apr 2013 #38
You beat me to it.... rppper Apr 2013 #46
If this is really about a car Mopar151 Apr 2013 #22
I'd put a new engine in it and keep it. Cleita Apr 2013 #23
What color is the smoke? Recursion Apr 2013 #26
No problem. just hook onto passing traffic you may not get where you want HereSince1628 Apr 2013 #27
... kentuck Apr 2013 #30
I have some hooks I could mail. lonestarnot Apr 2013 #36
Your best and cheapest way out is to buy a wreck. A low milage rearend collision would be best. dimbear Apr 2013 #29
If it has taken to mowing down old people, woo me with science Apr 2013 #32
good one! kentuck Apr 2013 #34
Hiya, Kentuck! woo me with science Apr 2013 #43
I think I'd be looking around for something that's radically different in its design. Jackpine Radical Apr 2013 #37
Ahhhhh woo me with science Apr 2013 #44
I had that problem, as my car was belching black smoke. RebelOne Apr 2013 #39
Just bought a sweet 1996 Homda Odyssey with 157,000 miles. Plan to keep it a while. nt s-cubed Apr 2013 #42
You can only ohheckyeah Apr 2013 #45

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
7. Totally agree with you, elleng.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:42 PM
Apr 2013

Given that the average cost of new car is 30 K, there IS a lot to be said for keeping and older one and paying the repair bills. That is what I decided with my 18 y/o car.
But I do not have to commute in it like I used to.

assuming the question is really about cars.




elleng

(130,126 posts)
9. Right Right Right, dixiegrrrrl!
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:44 PM
Apr 2013

and if the question is really about something else, I've posted below.

(I'm driving Dad's 1993 toyo camry wagon, and hope never to have to replace it!)

 

NYC_SKP

(68,644 posts)
17. OMG the Camry wagon, what a sweet car!
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:33 PM
Apr 2013

I had a 96, it was perfect!

Love them but they stopped selling them in the US (still made for other markets) to boost (I think) SUV sales.

Arrrrgh... Here's an Aussie Camry Wagon, never available in the US.

elleng

(130,126 posts)
20. Right, SKP, they stopped making it (and wagons generally?)
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:44 PM
Apr 2013

some time ago, to boost SUV and/or other 'mini' truck type sales. Luckly, Mom suggested she and Dad stop driving 5? years ago, and they gave me the car then. I thereafter drove it from Florida to Maryland and vice versa 2? times. Not doing that trek anymore, kind of 'babying' it!

I occasionally see a sibling to mine on the street, and have honked and waved my/our pleasure with our cars.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
28. Wow...we both have '93 Toyotas.....
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:05 PM
Apr 2013

knock on wood, that thing is STILL chugging along with only minor repairs..

Freddie

(9,231 posts)
35. My son drives a '93 Camry
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:16 PM
Apr 2013

With 230k miles on it. Last year DH (a backyard mechanic) put in a new transmission which cost $400 at a junkyard; car could last another 10 years. DH is in the auto parts business and refuses to consider ever buying a new car or even a "young" used car as long as he can keep the old ones running.

dixiegrrrrl

(60,010 posts)
40. Good mechanic is a treasure, to be protected and fed beverages of his/her choice.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 07:16 PM
Apr 2013

I am so lucky that we actaully have a mechanic in town who clearly loves working on cars and charges VERY reasonable rates.....which is why my car keeps running.

rexcat

(3,622 posts)
24. Last year I bought a 2012 Subaru Impreza Premium...
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:57 PM
Apr 2013

for less than $20K prior to tax, title and tags. Good cars don't have to cost $30K. I expect the car to last for some time considering the reputation of Subaru and what Consumer Guide has said about the car.

Warpy

(110,900 posts)
18. Right, and check around at junkyards for a replacement engine
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:42 PM
Apr 2013

or any major parts it might need. Junkers can get you great deals on a lot of things. Some yards even have the mechanics to do the work for you.

Xipe Totec

(43,872 posts)
2. Does loving it involve driving it?
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:21 PM
Apr 2013

'cause if it does, I'd say get rid of it.

You can love an immovable object.

But if you want to move it and it belches smoke, kill it before it kills us all.

elleng

(130,126 posts)
6. In that case,
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:32 PM
Apr 2013

DON'T sit out next opportunity to replace highly damaging parts, that is, repugs, with likely useful Dems, REPLACE congressional repugs and regain MAJORITY of good parts!
VOTE THEM OUT!!!

The Straight Story

(48,121 posts)
10. So who is the black smoke?
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:44 PM
Apr 2013

And why isn't there white smoke coming out of it? My old car had that problem, but then my car was not racist.

kentuck

(110,950 posts)
12. Because when the engine is shot...
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:25 PM
Apr 2013

black smoke comes out of the tailpipes. It has nothing to do with race. Why would that enter your mind??

 

SheilaT

(23,156 posts)
5. The answer depends on a lot of information
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 04:29 PM
Apr 2013

you didn't give us. What's the make and model? How old is it? How many miles? Have you done all of the routine maintenance faithfully?

And even with all that information there would no doubt be a difference of opinion as to what you should do.

It's my personal opinion that eventually just about all cars need to be replaced. While today's cars are built much better than they were forty or more years ago, they still aren't being built to last forever. Then there are other safety issues, like brakes, air bags, seat belts, and so on.

I will venture the opinion that if you get a lot of dark smoke coming out the tailpipe there is probably something seriously wrong with it and you may be running the risk that it will abruptly stop and strand you somewhere, or worse. At the very least get a good mechanic to look at it.

SamKnause

(13,037 posts)
11. Car repairs
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:16 PM
Apr 2013

If everything on the car is in good shape I would replace the engine.

If you buy a new one your insurance will go up.

Get several estimates for the repairs.

 

davidn3600

(6,342 posts)
14. Depends on the repairs
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:26 PM
Apr 2013

Black smoke in the exhaust can be caused by several things and not all of them are that expensive to repair. You would have to take it to a few mechanics and have them work up an estimate on repairs in order to weigh your options.

cloudbase

(5,486 posts)
15. You can replace the engine,
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:28 PM
Apr 2013

but in the end you may have sunk more money into it than it's worth.

(Just keeping with the metaphor.)

PA Democrat

(13,225 posts)
16. Maybe you should stop parking it on top of that pyramid, Kentuck!
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:33 PM
Apr 2013

You probably ripped a big hole in the exhaust system.

 

Spider Jerusalem

(21,786 posts)
21. Sounds like the piston rings are in need of replacement
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:49 PM
Apr 2013

that's oil burning, from oil passing the piston rings in the cylinder. It will require an engine rebuild or replacement to fix (which depending on make and availability will probably run you about a grand or so for a rebuilt or low mileage engine, with installation). I'd probably advise engine replacement over a simple repair for this if it's a high-mileage engine.

Mopar151

(9,965 posts)
25. Rings are almost always blue/white smoke
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:02 PM
Apr 2013

And rings don't show visible smoke 'til your'e down to 200 mi/quart of oil consumption. Black smoke is far more likely to be over-fueling or misfire - the black is soot from partially burned fuel.

rppper

(2,952 posts)
46. You beat me to it....
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 02:50 AM
Apr 2013

Chances are its something in the fuel system....an old shade tree once taught me black smoke is a cheap fix, white smoke means lots of $$$....

In the old days it meant a fuel/air mix adjustment in the carb and some new plugs...aka a tune up....now with all the computer controls and black boxes....who knows....

A chiltons manual with any decade plus old car is your best friend!

Mopar151

(9,965 posts)
22. If this is really about a car
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:50 PM
Apr 2013

Need a lot more specifics to help you. Including how financially irrational you want to be, and how good your connections are.

Cleita

(75,480 posts)
23. I'd put a new engine in it and keep it.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 05:52 PM
Apr 2013

I think you will be happier. New cars are so complicated with all the electronic, computerized gizmos and seat warmers. I wouldn't want one. If I could find an old jalopy that runs well with stick shift and roll down windows I'd be in heaven.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
27. No problem. just hook onto passing traffic you may not get where you want
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:04 PM
Apr 2013

but you'll be able to say you went with the middle of the mainstream

 

lonestarnot

(77,097 posts)
36. I have some hooks I could mail.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:27 PM
Apr 2013

Found 'em in the gerrrrahge while unpackratt'n. Starting to look like a hoarder out there. Half worn out. Now time for laundry.

dimbear

(6,271 posts)
29. Your best and cheapest way out is to buy a wreck. A low milage rearend collision would be best.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:06 PM
Apr 2013

Do some research to find all the cars which have the same engine yours does, and get the lowest mileage one you can find for cheap bucks. Then start spinning wrenches.

You'll need some cinder blocks for the remains after the engine surgery. They are cosmetic only, don't use them during the work. Use real ramps for that.


woo me with science

(32,139 posts)
32. If it has taken to mowing down old people,
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:07 PM
Apr 2013

you are looking at either some major, fundamental repairs or a whole new machine.

Jackpine Radical

(45,274 posts)
37. I think I'd be looking around for something that's radically different in its design.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:28 PM
Apr 2013

Something you can fit a lot of people into, something that runs on green energy. Something that's safe around kids & old people. Something that lets YOU steer it instead of always veering off toward the Middle East.

RebelOne

(30,947 posts)
39. I had that problem, as my car was belching black smoke.
Sat Apr 13, 2013, 06:48 PM
Apr 2013

It turned out to be my transmission. The car was old and since the repair would have been more than what the car was worth, I junked the car.

ohheckyeah

(9,314 posts)
45. You can only
Sun Apr 14, 2013, 02:29 AM
Apr 2013

keep a failing car running for so long before it becomes more trouble and money than it's worth. Sometimes we need to transfer our love and loyalty to something new that works.

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