Hey everyone,

I got a dilemma. Check Engine light went on a couple of weeks ago on my 90 240 dl. Mechanic said codes read: Mass Air Flow Sensor, Too Rich or Lean at Idle, and possibly Computer. He told me to drive it until the light came on again. Last night, I was going up a hill on the interstate with 4 people in my car (a rarity), and the temp starts to go up to the red. I pull off the freeway and when I stop the car, the whole car's shaking like it's on one cylinder and going to die. But when I accelerate again, everything's fine. Only at stop lights and in park does the whole car shake.

This morning, took it back to the mechanic. He tells me he ran a compression check and cylinders 1, 2, and 3 have 180 lbs of compression. Cylinder 4 has only 50 lbs of compression. His diagnosis: valve job. He says he needs to take the cylinder head off the motor, send to the machine shop for valve grind, put it back with a new head gasket set, and the rest of my stuff: intake exhaust, plugs and wires, timing belt, oil and filter, and coolant. TOTAL $980. Is that a good price? Is that what you think the issue is?

I'm kinda at wits end here. It was a family car/original owner, but lately the repairs are killing me. $800 last month for 4 new tires plus inner and outer tie rods and ball joints. And he says I have to fix cracked left and right motor mounts and trans mount ($270), leaking inner and outer rear seals ($155), plus my rear shocks and springs and possibly trailing arms have needed to be replaced for a while. Should I stick it out with the 240 or go find an affordable preowned certified car where I can just make financed low monthly payments? Thanks all, Bro