1982 CADILLAC CIMARRON

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Rod knock or main bearing rumble at idle, Low oil pressure warning, Metallic rattling on cold starts, Oil consumption increasing rapidly

Fix: Main and rod bearings fail early due to marginal oiling design and soft bearing material. Requires full short block rebuild or replacement. 12-16 hours labor for R&R and rebuild, plus machine work if crank needs grinding. Many shops just swap in a junkyard engine (6-8 hours).

Estimated cost: $2,200-4,500

Typical onset: 50,000-80,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive clunking on shifts, Vibration through floor and shifter, Transmission sags visibly when viewed from below, Harsh engagement into Drive or Reverse

Fix: The TH125C three-speed automatic's mounts are undersized for the weight and torque. Front mount typically goes first, causing drivetrain misalignment. Replace all mounts as a set. 2-3 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $250-450

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: Blue smoke on deceleration or startup, Burning through a quart every 500-800 miles, Fouled spark plugs (oil-soaked), Loss of compression in one or more cylinders

Fix: Rings were thin and prone to flutter in these undersquare engines. Requires full teardown—pistons, rings, hone, sometimes oversized pistons if cylinder wear is severe. 14-18 hours labor for proper job. Not economical unless you're committed to the car.

Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200

Symptoms: Hard starting when warm, Erratic idle or stalling at stoplights, Hesitation off idle, Black smoke from rich running

Fix: Early TBI systems had problematic injectors, pressure regulators, and IAC valves. Diagnosis takes time; often multiple components need replacement. 2-4 hours labor depending on what's failed, plus expensive OE-style parts that are getting scarce.

Estimated cost: $400-900

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: ATF puddles under car near radiator, Transmission running hot, Low fluid level leading to slipping, Burnt ATF smell

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they route near the subframe and salt collects. Replace both lines and flush cooler. If leak went unnoticed, transmission may have damage from running low. 2-3 hours labor for lines only.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Symptoms: Stumbling under load, Intermittent no-start, Engine cuts out at highway speed, Difficulty maintaining speed uphill

Fix: These cars sit a lot now, and old fuel turns to varnish in the tank and lines. Fuel filter clogs quickly if tank wasn't kept clean. Drop tank, clean or replace, new filter, flush lines. 4-6 hours labor if tank replacement needed.

Estimated cost: $350-750