1982 PLYMOUTH ARROW

Typical onset: 60,000-80,000 mi intervals

Symptoms: Engine suddenly stops running with no warning, Bent valves causing no-start condition, Catastrophic internal engine damage if belt snaps

Fix: This is an interference engine—if the belt goes, valves kiss pistons. Replace timing belt, tensioner, balance shaft belt, water pump, and front seals as a kit every 60k miles. Takes 4-5 hours for experienced techs due to cramped engine bay and balance shaft complexity.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Oil weeping from front timing cover, Rattling noise from front of engine at startup, Low oil pressure warning at idle when hot, Progressive vibration increase

Fix: The balance shaft (silent shaft) system develops oil leaks from front seals and rear housing gaskets. Bearings wear if oil changes were neglected. Requires timing cover removal, seal replacement, and sometimes balance shaft bearing service. 5-7 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $500-1,000

Symptoms: Hard starting when cold or hot, Rough idle and stalling at stop lights, Black smoke and fuel smell from exhaust, Poor fuel economy (sub-20 mpg)

Fix: Mikuni or Hitachi two-barrel carbs get gummed up, develop vacuum leaks at base gaskets, and have worn throttle shafts. Full rebuild kit with proper adjustment takes 3-4 hours. Finding someone who still knows carbs is the bigger challenge.

Estimated cost: $350-700

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Grinding or humming noise from rear that increases with speed, Wheel wobble or excessive play when jacked up, Hot wheel hub after driving, In severe cases, wheel can seize or come loose

Fix: Rear bearings on the solid axle setup are pressed into the axle housing and commonly fail from lack of lubrication or water intrusion through worn seals. Requires axle removal, bearing press-out/press-in, and new seals. 2-3 hours per side.

Estimated cost: $300-600

Symptoms: Bubbling paint along rear wheel arches and rocker panels, Soft or crumbling metal in floor pans and trunk, Visible rust-through behind rear bumper mounts, Sagging doors or misalignment from structural rot

Fix: These cars rust aggressively in salt-belt states. Rear quarters, rockers, and floor pans rot from inside out. Proper repair requires cutting out rot, welding in patch panels or sections, and repainting. Varies wildly—minor patch is 4-6 hours, major structural work is 20+ hours.

Estimated cost: $800-5,000+

Typical onset: any age

Symptoms: Intermittent no-start or slow crank, Gauges that read erratically or not at all, Dim headlights at idle that brighten with RPM, Battery repeatedly dies despite testing good

Fix: Old Mitsubishi wiring harnesses get brittle, and ground straps corrode. Voltage regulator in the alternator fails. Common fixes: new alternator ($200-400 part), cleaning all chassis grounds, and replacing corroded connectors. Diagnosis takes 1-2 hours, fixes vary.

Estimated cost: $200-800

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Clutch pedal feels spongy or has excessive free play, Difficulty shifting into first or reverse, Clutch engages very high or very low in pedal travel, Cable fraying visible at firewall or transmission end

Fix: Cable-actuated clutch stretches and frays over time. Adjustments help temporarily, but eventually cable replacement is needed. Simple job—1 hour labor. OE-style replacements are getting scarce, may need universal cable adaptation.

Estimated cost: $150-300