1993 CHRYSLER LEBARON

Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Harsh 1-2 shift or slipping between gears, Delayed engagement when shifting to Drive or Reverse, Whining noise from torque converter, Transmission fluid appears burnt or has metallic particles

Fix: These 3-speed and 4-speed Ultradrive automatics are notorious for valve body wear, clutch pack failure, and torque converter issues. Rebuild requires 12-16 hours labor. Many shops recommend replacement with a remanufactured unit due to internal wear patterns. Transmission oil cooler should always be replaced simultaneously as debris circulation causes repeat failures.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust on cold start, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating under load, Oil appears milky or coolant in overflow tank bubbles excessively, Misfires on specific cylinders

Fix: The 2.5L turbo commonly blows head gaskets between cylinders 2-3 due to inadequate clamping force and casting porosity. The 3.0L Mitsubishi V6 blows between cylinders and coolant passages. Both heads should be pressure-tested and resurfaced. Expect 8-10 hours labor for I4, 10-14 hours for V6 if heads are serviceable. Often discover cracked heads requiring replacement.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,400

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: Heavy clunk when shifting from Park to Drive, Severe engine rocking during acceleration, Vibration through steering wheel at idle, Visible engine movement when revving in Park

Fix: The hydraulic engine mounts and transmission mounts fail predictably, causing the powertrain to shift excessively and stress the CV axles and shift linkage. Upper and lower engine mounts plus transmission mount should all be replaced together. 3-4 hours labor for complete mount replacement. Neglecting this damages CV joints and exhaust hangers.

Estimated cost: $400-700

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke puff on cold start that clears after 30 seconds, Oil consumption of 1 quart per 800-1,200 miles, Fouled spark plugs on one or more cylinders, Oil residue in intake manifold

Fix: Valve stem seals harden and crack on the 2.2L and 2.5L turbo engines, allowing oil to seep down guides during shutdown. Requires cylinder head removal for proper seal replacement, typically 7-9 hours labor. Can be done without full head gasket replacement if caught early, but most mechanics recommend doing gaskets while head is off given the age.

Estimated cost: $800-1,400

Typical onset: 110,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking noise from lower engine that increases with RPM, Low oil pressure at idle when engine is hot, Metallic debris in oil filter, Sudden catastrophic failure with connecting rod through block

Fix: The 2.5L turbo was marginal on bottom-end oiling, especially if oil changes were neglected. Rod bearing wear starts as knock on startup and progresses to spun bearings. Repair requires complete engine teardown with crank grinding, 18-24 hours labor if salvageable. Most engines at this stage get a used replacement or long block due to additional piston ring wear and cylinder scoring.

Estimated cost: $2,500-4,200

Symptoms: Hard starting after sitting overnight, Stalling during deceleration or at idle, Hesitation during acceleration, Rough idle that smooths out under load

Fix: These cars used early fuel injection with single-point throttle body systems prone to injector varnishing. Combined with in-tank fuel pumps that shed debris and frequently clogged fuel filters. Fuel filter replacement is 0.5 hours, throttle body injector cleaning another 1.5 hours. Preventive filter changes every 20,000 miles prevent pump damage.

Estimated cost: $150-350