New 90 MTX owner with some questions..

[VW_Factor]

Ive needed a family type car for a while now, and ran across this Gold 1990 SHO. Runs excellent, and has all the service records.. 88k miles on it. Interior is kinda shot, otherwise, very nice cruiser.. 400 dollars too boot. I was certainly surprised as well, how fast these cars are..

I have a few questions that probably fit in multiple forum topics, however, some general info would certainly be helpful.

I have a suspected heater core leak.. Its not bad (yet), however, after driving for a while (at least 10 minutes or so) and park it with the windows up, condensation forms on the windshield.. A small strip about 4 inches across of condensation.. About how long of a job am I looking at, replacing it?? Im pretty sure you access it from inside the car under the dash somewhere..

This car also has a bad rear caliper.. How do I go about disabling the ABS system, in order to safely install a new caliper? Do I just disconnect the battery?

Otherwise, it needs a new drivers side axle (CV joints are basically toast, and they are nearly completely missing their boots. I also read how to fix my trunk leak.

After getting these things out of the way here in the next week, I cant wait too start improving on it, and putting those custom touches to it, that makes it "your" car. Fabulous cars, and Im very glad I now own one.

Thanks in advance for any information..

 

[Dr. Tweak]

Welcome to the forum!!! thumb

There's a ton of info in the thread archives, just use the Search Button located on the upper right of the screen. It works well! (unlike a lot of forums, lol)

Your SHO sounds like it's probably due for the 60K mile service, there's info on my site (in my sig) on that.

If you do indeed have to replace the heater core, it will involve pulling the entire dash, a long and tedious job. If you do a search you can find a lot of info on it.

burnout

*edit* BTW tell me about your MR2... which engine do you have in it?

<small>[ March 15, 2004, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: JDLangevin ]</small>

 

[VW_Factor]

Actually, reading through the service records, it went in for the (I would suppose dreaded 60k mile service) at 72k miles. When would the next major service be due? 100k or something such as that?

Our MR2 isnt really that special.. Its just the N/A motor with a K&N air filter.. Still fun to drive though. It has its own host of problems as well..

 

[VW_Factor]

As well.. Im not sure if this is common in this community however.. The SHO is labelled as an 89, however, looking over the car, it was built late year, and many options on the car are from the 1990 model year, so I just call this car a 90.. Is this common around here??

 

[Devin]

heh, SHOs are known to never really be built the same. Even ones that are a part of the same package are different. It just makes us unique.

If you want a real headache, ask about the Plus package.

 

[fricker66]

VW_Factor:
As well.. Im not sure if this is common in this community however.. The SHO is labelled as an 89, however, looking over the car, it was built late year, and many options on the car are from the 1990 model year, so I just call this car a 90.. Is this common around here??

Welcome!

Interesting on the model changes. I never heard of an 89 model being equipped with ABS. What other options are from 1990? airbag?

 

[VW_Factor]

Well.. I wasnt sure if it has ABS or not, however, on my "spin" last night, I took it down the road, and stomped on the brakes at about 30mph.. They did not lock up, and the pedal felt like it pushing back (if thats how ABS is supposed to feel)

I dont see an ABS light on the dash during startup, however.. I have worked on a Ford with ABS before, and in replacing the rear brakes, the ABS system got screwed up somehow.. Just makes me nervous to be messing around with something that may have ABS on it now..

 

[fricker66]

VW_Factor:
Well.. I wasnt sure if it has ABS or not, however, on my "spin" last night, I took it down the road, and stomped on the brakes at about 30mph.. They did not lock up, and the pedal felt like it pushing back (if thats how ABS is supposed to feel)

I dont see an ABS light on the dash during startup, however.. I have worked on a Ford with ABS before, and in replacing the rear brakes, the ABS system got screwed up somehow.. Just makes me nervous to be messing around with something that may have ABS on it now..

If you were really testing the brakes lock-up capabilities, the ABS system will result in a loud clicking noise and you'll feel the pulses in the pedal. Also, you should be able to see the ABS system under the hood just to the driver's side of the radiator.

 

[VW_Factor]

More information..

The steering wheel was replaced by the PO and it was a wheel from a 1990. (airbag). However, the airbag was never hooked up.. (for whatever reasons)

Otherwise.. Instead of listening to what the PO said, the door tag specifies its Born on Date as 12/88. So no way would it be considered a 90. (My bad for not looking more closely). That being the case it doesnt have ABS (good for me) and shall be easy enough to replace the bad caliper.

Next fix would be the axles.. No problems fixing that..

*edit* The PO is going to give me the original steering wheel back this afternoon. He said the leather on it is pretty torn up, however, its the one that came with the car.

<small>[ March 15, 2004, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: VW_Factor ]</small>

 

[fricker66]

VW_Factor:
More information..

The steering wheel was replaced by the PO and it was a wheel from a 1990. (airbag). However, the airbag was never hooked up.. (for whatever reasons)

Otherwise.. Instead of listening to what the PO said, the door tag specifies its Born on Date as 12/88. So no way would it be considered a 90. (My bad for not looking more closely). That being the case it doesnt have ABS (good for me) and shall be easy enough to replace the bad caliper.

Next fix would be the axles.. No problems fixing that..

Not having ever tried to install an airbag in a non-airbag equipped vehicle, I'd think that would be quite an undertaking to correctly install and activate the 90 airbag in the 89. I can understand why it was never hooked up.

What are the other "options" from the 90 year? A 12/88 is definitely an 89 model. The PO must have done several changes if there are indeed '90 model options.

 

[VW_Factor]

To be honest.. Im not sure of any other "options". I just know what I was told when I bought the car. It came with all its records and service history, it was 400 dollars, and I needed a family car.

Otherwise.. I still yet have much to learn about these cars, however, I certainly do like it a lot.

 

[fricker66]

VW_Factor:
To be honest.. Im not sure of any other "options". I just know what I was told when I bought the car. It came with all its records and service history, it was 400 dollars, and I needed a family car.

Otherwise.. I still yet have much to learn about these cars, however, I certainly do like it a lot.

Sounds like it was a good find. Enjoy the SHO and let us know if you have any further questions when it comes to replacing those half-shafts and possible heater core.