Hi all,

I'm interested in an '88 240 GL wagon and was curious if the experts here could offer some insight on the car and it's quirks. It's got 110k miles on it and in the last 20k it has had the following replaced: Timing belt, Rear suspension bushings, Front suspension bushings, Ball joints, Tie rod ends, Alternator, Front strut mount, Front strut and Muffler.

Supposedly, the car has a slight power steering fluid leak "maybe .5 quart over 3000 miles" the owner says he thinks it's coming from the hose to the rack or the rack itself. Any insight on where these tend to leak from most?

Also, he says the A/C hasn't worked since he got the car. How likely is it that it just needs a recharge? Is there a specific component that has a tendancy to go out on these A/C systems?

He tells me that he did recentlynoticeslight seepage of fluid from the rear of the transmission, but the fluid level was fine so he wasn't concerned. Should I be concerned?

Anyway, any info on these or other issues that I should be on the lookout for would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Darius

P.S. Is there a preferred repair manual for the 240's?

 

The PS leak could be from anywhere but the stated loss is not bad-you could live with that for a while... With 110k miles the rack should not have to be replaced yet and the leak may be "just a clamp or a hose"...

The A/C is probably shot, even though everybody says "it probably just needs a charge". Nonuse dries out the system and all the seals. And that's makes the freon escape. Bottom line, it won't be easy or cheap to get it fixed, and this car has FREON system unless it had been converted. It would say so on a label if it has, or ask the owner. If you do need to fix the A/C, this would be the time to convert it to the R134 which is much cheaper.