I need to get some opinions on a 1985 245 I'm looking at for my daughter. The body is excellent: no rust, no dents, good glass, etc. It's a four speed with overdrive, and has the third seat in the very back. It has 200k with lots of receipts dating to purchase in 1985. New clutch at the dealer about 8k ago ($1000). The things I noticed that should be fixed are listed below. I could really use some advice on how to do the OD and oil leak repairs and what they might cost if I do them myself. Also, any ideas on the value of such a car would be appreciated.

Oil leak: Oil leaking from the front of the engine up high, about as high as the valve cover gasket and cam. It comes out the passenger side, maybe from behind the timing gear cover, then runs down the front passenger side of the engine.

Breather box: Might be clogged. Does not pass jiggle test. I know the cost of this repair and how to approach it. I'm wondering if it may be contributing to the oil leak described above.

OD problem: The transmission will not shift into OD. Switch in the shifter has been replaced. Overdrive indicator light in instrument cluster goes on every once in a while for unknown reason.

Wiring harness appears to be original but apparently still working ok. Signs of deterioration at the grey connectors on firewall. I know the cost of this repair.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

--
81 242 Brick on Blocks, stock

The oil leak is connected to failing the jiggle test. Positive pressure in the crankcase will push oil out any seal. The three easily replaced seals on the engine front, OR the major $$$ PITA rear main seal.

Clean the PCV system ASAP. Ne hoses, trap, cup, nipple, etc. The box itself may be bad, too. If you can swing it, replace all those parts with the parts for a 1988 B230F. That relocates the flame trap to the top of intake rails #3 and #4. Quick, easy and clean to service.

Overdrive relays are notorious for developing cracks in the soldering on the inside circuit board. Easy repair. Check FAQ's or archives for Don Foster's great post with pictures, even! The randomness of the O/D problem points to that relay.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

You don't mention an asking price but even if it's in excellent cosmetic shape that sounds like a $1000 car to me. Forget the fact that they grossly overpaid for a clutch job, that should not inflate the price of the car for you.

If your daughter is just learning to drive, or if this will be her first car, perhaps an automatic transmission would be more suitable? Just a thought.

Best of luck and happy holidays!

--
Matt L. -- Cary, NC -- '91 740 wagon

Doug,

Plan on replacing the three front seals (cam, intermediate, and crank). Sounds like the front cam seal is weaping, a very common occurance. Check to make sure that the upper H2O pump seal has not swelled up from the oil seaping over it. If so, you should replace it. Actually, to get to the front cam seal and replace it, you be dollars ahead to change the front three seals, update the timing belt and tensioner, H2O pump and thermostat, plus coolant flush. The idea behind this is that you will have exposed or removed these items to fix the front cam seal, and at 200K miles if these haven't been changed, they will need to be.

I am the proud owner of An '85 245DL, I love it.(187xxx miles) The Breather box is a painf\n to get out but its pretty straight forward. I wish i could help with the leak/ od problems but it has never came up with mine. I can ,however, tell you how to redo the seat bottom and wiring harness on the hatch(common on 245's).
Email me if you need any help with the 2 above mentioned fixes
delanisdjd@aol.com
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Dan D. '85 245 DL