1987 CADILLAC CIMARRON

Typical onset: 60,000-90,000 mi

Symptoms: Excessive engine movement during acceleration, Clunking when shifting from park to drive, Vibration at idle that dampens when in neutral, Transmission feels like it's dropping or sagging

Fix: The rubber isolators in the transmission mount deteriorate from heat and oil exposure. Replacement requires supporting the transmission, removing the through-bolt, and installing new mount. 1.5-2 hours labor. Often find engine mounts are also worn when this fails.

Estimated cost: $200-400

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle near radiator, Low transmission fluid warnings or delayed engagement, Pink or red fluid visible at radiator connections, Transmission overheating especially in summer

Fix: Steel cooler lines rust through where they route along the subframe and connect to the radiator. Lines must be replaced as assemblies, not patched. Sometimes the internal radiator cooler also fails, mixing coolant and ATF. 2-3 hours for lines only, 4-5 if radiator is also compromised. Flush transmission after repair.

Estimated cost: $350-800

Symptoms: Hard starting especially when engine is hot, Stumbling or hesitation during acceleration, Stalling at idle after warm-up, Loss of power at highway speeds

Fix: The TBI fuel injection system is sensitive to debris, and the inline fuel filter clogs faster than expected if tank has sediment. Should be changed every 20,000-30,000 miles, not the 50,000 in the manual. Located along frame rail, 0.5-1 hour labor. Often reveals weak fuel pump when changed on neglected examples.

Estimated cost: $80-150

Typical onset: 100,000-150,000 mi

Symptoms: Knocking noise on cold start that quiets as engine warms, Heavy blue smoke on deceleration, Low oil pressure at idle when hot, Metallic rattling that increases with RPM

Fix: The 2.8L develops rod bearing knock and piston ring wear when oil changes were extended or wrong viscosity used. Requires engine removal, full disassembly, crank polishing or replacement, new bearings, rings, and gaskets. 18-24 hours labor for proper rebuild. Many shops recommend sourcing a low-mileage junkyard replacement instead due to labor costs exceeding vehicle value.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Symptoms: Rough idle and stalling in cold, humid weather, Surging at steady cruise, Black carbon buildup visible around throttle plates, High idle that won't come down

Fix: Early 2.0L engines had Rochester carburetors that ice in cold weather; later TBI systems accumulate varnish on throttle body and idle air control valve. Carb models need heat riser verification and sometimes richer mixture adjustment. TBI needs throttle body cleaning and IAC replacement. 1-2 hours labor depending on system.

Estimated cost: $150-350

Typical onset: 90,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Overheating in traffic or on hills, White exhaust smoke and sweet smell, Bubbling in coolant reservoir, Oil that looks milky or has coolant mixed in

Fix: Original coolant hoses and radiators fail from age, causing overheating that warps heads and blows gaskets. The 2.8L V6 is particularly prone to warped heads. Requires head removal, resurfacing, new gaskets, and often new radiator and hoses simultaneously. 8-12 hours labor. If caught early with just hoses and radiator, only 3-4 hours.

Estimated cost: $800-2,200