The 1990 Plymouth Laser with the 2.0L turbo 4G63 engine is a DSM (Diamond Star Motors) platform shared with Eagle Talon and Mitsubishi Eclipse. Known for tuner potential but plagued by crankshaft walk, head gasket failures, and transmission oil cooler leaks that destroy transmissions if ignored.
Crankshaft Walk (Endplay Failure)
Common · high severityTypical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Grinding or scraping noise from front of engine, especially when cold, Metal shavings in oil, oil pressure fluctuations, Clutch engagement problems or slipping (flywheel contact), Engine suddenly seizes or loses compression
Fix: Complete engine teardown required. Replace thrust bearings, main bearings, crank if worn, and machine block face if scored. Upgraded aftermarket thrust bearings recommended. 18-25 hours labor for proper rebuild.
Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500
Head Gasket Failure Between Cylinders 3-4
Common · high severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating under boost or highway driving, Rough idle, misfires on cylinders 3 or 4, Milky oil or bubbles in coolant reservoir
Fix: Head removal, resurfacing, and gasket replacement. ARP head studs mandatory for turbo cars. Also replace timing belt, water pump, and cam/crank seals while apart. 12-16 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,800-2,800
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · high severityTypical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leaking near radiator or under front bumper, Pink/red fluid in coolant or coolant in transmission pan, Transmission slipping, harsh shifts, or complete failure, Milky transmission fluid on dipstick
Fix: Replace steel cooler lines (they rust through) and external transmission cooler. If coolant contaminated transmission, full flush or rebuild required. Lines alone: 2-3 hours. Transmission rebuild adds 10-14 hours.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (lines only), $2,200-3,500 (if trans rebuild needed)
Turbo Oil Feed and Return Line Failures
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Blue smoke on startup or under boost, Turbo whine or rattling noises, Loss of boost pressure or slow spool, Oil leaks around turbo mounting area
Fix: Oil return line collapses internally or feed line banjo bolt screens clog, starving turbo. Replace both lines, clean screens, check turbo shaft play. If turbo damaged, replacement needed. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200 (lines/turbo service), $1,400-2,200 (turbo replacement)
Transfer Case Output Seal Leaks (AWD Models)
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 75,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Gear oil dripping from rear of transmission or front driveshaft area, Grinding or humming from transfer case when turning, AWD system not engaging or working intermittently, Low transfer case fluid level
Fix: Drop front driveshaft, replace output seal and drain/refill transfer case with proper 75W-90. Check for worn splines on driveshaft. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $250-450
Fuel Pump Failure and Wiring Issues
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 100,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition or stalling at operating temperature, Fuel pump not priming when key turned on, Intermittent stalling under load or boost, Burnt smell near fuel tank or under rear seat
Fix: Fuel pump itself or corroded wiring harness connector at tank. Drop tank, replace pump and sock filter, repair or replace connector with solder/heat shrink. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Motor Mount and Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Severe engine movement or clunking when accelerating/braking, Shifter vibration or difficult gear engagement, Driveline vibration at highway speeds, Visible sagging of engine or transmission
Fix: Front, rear, and transmission mounts all fail from oil contamination and age. Replace all three plus torque strut for proper engine control. Upgraded polyurethane mounts recommended for turbo cars. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Only buy if you're mechanically inclined and can verify crankshaft endplay, compression test results, and full service history — budget $2,000-3,000 for deferred maintenance on any example.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.