hellooooo, smiles to you--

I'm a struggling college student, scholarships, work-study, the whole deal -- back in school after ten years.. Anyway, I bought a 1982 240 DL at the beginning of last semester: August 2004. It looked so cherry - in fact, it had been painted cherry red- clean, nice seat covers, new rack n pinion, golden oil, clean engine, new radiator, etc, etc. I took it on a short road trip, 45 miles out of town it dies, after making some terrible noises. I pay 125.00 to get it towed 10 miles to a motel in Gallup, New Mexico. My new boyfriend and I spent the entire weekend with some sandpaper and a set of tools from AutoZone sanding down the #1 cam. So the oil wasn't clean, it was just remarkably fresh.

OK. here we go. I overtightened the bolt holding the timing chain cover (oops) but we think it will hold (with some rigging). We finally get it started (after 3 days of sweat and tears) and drive away. Five miles out of town, I smell burning rubber, all the lights come on the dash -- I cut the engine quick as lightning and roll it over to the shoulder: the wire harness had got caught in the fan belt and shredded. (oops). We repaired it and drove home. All was well, until it started acting real funny...

After that, she will start, but once warm, poops out and won't start again. We were jumping the coil, being that it was my (and our) only car at the time, replacing every electrical part I could afford, and it was doing the same durn thing.

I spent a little over 400 on a brand spanking new wiring harness. Didn't fix the problem. We've replaced computers, checked the fuel injection, intake, have taken the plenum on and off fifteen million times!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It hasn't run for over six months. Finally, I took it to the Volvo dealership here in town. For $120 (we knew the guy, sort of) I got a diagnosis. Jimmy said it was the WARMUP REGULATOR. So I replaced it.....

i give up. it won't run. it starts when cold, and sometimes needs starter juice sprayed into the intake... but once it's warmed up, it

won't hold idle
won't start again
is breaking my heart
and my pocketbook
and I NEED A CAR!!!

please, please please please help me. This has been one a most trying experience. I'm out of money, and out of a car. I've had it since August and driven it only three weeks -- the guy won't take it back, I've tried --I've got over $2000.00 into it, and I'm paying on it still. I don't know what to do.

Freaked out in New Mexico,
and riding my bicycle,

andrea

Oh yeah: it's a 1982 240 DL CIS CALI EMISSIONS with a *CHRYSLER DISTRIBUTOR*