Don't get me wrong, I love the car. The problem is the fact that the kid I bought it from lied like crazy in order to get me to buy it. So I'm having to currently go through and get it all fixed up and running great. The problem is I'm strapped for cash, so I can mod it much yet.

1) Any way, I have a 93 DelSol that the clock doesn't work?
When I push the buttons to change the time the lights for the in console clock come on, but as soon as I let go of the button it stops showing. Almost as if the batter is dead or something. Except it runs off the car battery. I checked the fuses and they are all good.

2) I took the tires in to get them rotated and balanced and the guy there said I need to replace the rack and pinion. I took it to them and they said they would have to take out the rack and have the car for two weeks to get it re built and then put it back. Any cheaper options.

3) Final question for now, When ever I push on the gas blue smoke puffs out from the exhaust. Someone said that it might be that valves or rings need to be replaced. Again money costs are a limit here, how can I do that or just replace the engine with out it ripping me a new one?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

(3) You probably need new rings, like has been said. Get a few more opinions on here though.

 

sounds like the clock is has a damaged screen
the rack, well it means the boots are ripped and leaking. when the wheels are turned you see the broken boots. alternative find a used rack somewhere
and the engine and smoke, blue is oil burning so either rings or valve seals or oil leaking onto the exhaust. replace engine or fix leak is cheapest.

 

1) The clock display is designed to dim when the headlights or parking lights are on. Maybe the previous owner wired constant power to the clock where it instead should be wired to the light switch.

2) You usually replace the entire rack when it is bad or leaks. You can generally buy a rebuilt rack for under $300 from an auto parts store. That and the cost of new fluid is the total if you can do the work yourself. It is, however, a labor intensive job.

3) The first step is to do a cylinder compression or leak down test to determine how oil is getting into the cylinders.

 

Im with you on this crap, I got ripped the hell off when I bought my hatch. I gotta wonder how someone can get a car to run perfectly for 2 days then all the sudden theres an oil puddle on the garage floor, then you find out you have cracked ringlands. at least i got 100% perfect body and interior

like its been stated, get a leakdown and a compression test done. the motor most likely needs a rebuild or replaced. depending on your knowledge of doing the work is what road to take. you should be able to find a motor for 300bucks, but it will be from a junk yard and I would suggest rebuilding it anyways if you want it to last for any amount of time.

 

If your in California,

When a car is sold, who is responsible for the inspection?

The seller is required to provide the buyer with a valid smog inspection certification at the time of the sale or transfer. Smog certifications are good for 90 days from the date of issuance.

The inspection is not required on a transfer if a biennial smog certification was submitted to DMV within 90 days prior to the vehicle transfer date (a vehicle inspection report may be required for proof of certification).

NOTE: Smog certifications are not required for transfers that occur for a gasoline powered motor vehicle that is four or less model years old. (Determine the oldest-qualifying year model by subtracting three from the current year) the four or less model years old rule does not apply to diesel powered vehicles. A smog transfer fee will be collected from the new owner.

Sorry, if this doesn't apply to you.

 

1- as said broken clock somehow. just for fun check all your wires out that run to it.

2-sucks but if you have any mechanical knowledge id buy a cheap rebuilt one and put it in yourself. otherwise...try finding a different shop 2 weeks on a honda job is a long time.

3- same as above.

next time fully check the car out. you should have driven it and looked for all of this. most of it would have been easily findable. so you went get screwed next time.

 

Yes, Lesson learned. I test drove it, but the problems didn't show until I took it to get a safety and emissions done.

I will work on those previous. On to the next ones:

1) the car starts to shake when I get on the freeway. I have the tires balanced and rotated, did the alignment, and had the rotors checked just in case. Could this be a problem of the bad Rack and Pinion?

2) I need to replace the seats for cheap. the Junk yards around here don't have any Del Sols. Where can I find some good seats for cheap?

There are still more problems but most of the others I know how to fix.