2.3 4 cyl, sedan, automatic, 194K miles.

When I am sitting at a light or a stop sign there is a rattling noise coming from the front, this noise stops when vehicle is moving. I have taken to putting the vehicle in PARK when sitting at a light or waiting at a railroad crossing, thinking this is a bad thing to do but the noise is minimized this way.

The vehicle needs new tie rod ends on the front ($20 part, the labor is atrocious, though), I was told that was cause of noise. However, I've also thought it might be the flywheel (I shudder to think about the labor on that job since it's between the engine and tranny), or a bad wheel bearing. Some little work on the vehicle I am capable of doing myself except that where I live the property owner isn't crazy about the tenants working on their cars there.

The other thing about the vehicle is that on hot days (85 degrees or over), while the car itself isn't overheating, it has a tendency to start hesitating and idling roughly when, say, sitting at a light. Then when the light turns green and I step on the accelerator, the pedal feels hard and it acts like the engine is going to die. When it's cool outside the engine runs as smooth as glass ... regardless, it's getting a tune up and oil change within the next week or two.

FWIW, I drive it daily but I live a block from where I work, so I usually just walk there. Until some issues are addressed the car is pretty much just a grocery-getter and errand-runner. It has potential otherwise, and bit by bit, piece by piece I want to kind of make something of it -- not a show car or anything, just try to get it in as tip top shape as I can get it. It is unbelieveably fun to drive. The tires are about a year old, I just recently replaced many brake parts (left front caliper was sticking, in general the brakes needed new pads and the rotors turned. Hoses and lines associated with the brake system were also replaced).

One more question: I don't suppose it's worth it to replace the biodegradeable wiring, I take it.

Thanks.

 

I don't know about the noise, but I will say that replacing that wiring by re-wiring it yourself is about your only option... I needed that harness on my 86, and they were $200 out of stock with no new stock in the foreseeable future. Wires go to starter(red?)...engine block by starter(yellow?)...engine block by alternator/oil filter (black for sure)...and can't remember other wire.