I know I know abandon it 1990 LX

[my2cents]

hey all. Well, I recently bought a 1990 lx with some 70K on it. Now pushing 88K. 5 sp 1.9. As the title says, I know I should just abandon it...but... How's about a brief (lol) list of issues I am having. It has always surged when idling. There is a click under the dash just at is surges, or drops off. Next is a brutal loss of power. No real formula as to when. Cold or hot. Speaking of hot...very hot running. The fan does kick in(most of the time) I am pouring at least a quart of oil a week 4-500 miles. LOL why change the oil (-: The big issue at this point is the loss of power. That is a week old problem. Filter changed( and was clean) Checked the hoses and lines. Besides the fuel pump what could be the cause of that? Truth is that a new pump will set me back more than half of what I paid for the car. Thanks for reading!

[bigrod118]

how about a simple tune up, plugs and wires, and rotor. now you said filter was changed, was that the air or fuel filter. as far as the oil, do you have oil spots where the car sits, as if it were leaking, or is it burning it. and you could do a coolant flush and mkae sure its the right mis of water and antifreeze.

[92EscrtPmp]

Sounds like a blown head gasket. If it's the SEFI 1.9, then I know how to replace it, if you got a torque wrench, a impact wrench, and about $80 for the Intake gasket, the cylinder head gasket, the Exhast manifold gasket, the valve cover gasket, and the Cylinder head bolts. Then check to see if the water pump is any good, (probably not, if your hearing sqeeling noises when the belt is tight) and go on ahead and while you have the Cylinder head off, replace the Timing belt, and the power steering belt. And while your that far, it's always a good idea to replace the Thermostat. And, as far as the surge in power, I got that too, but mine is a `92 SEFI 1.9 with over 300 K Miles on it, and I'm thinking the spark plug wires and coil pack need changed. Last but not least, check the alternator to see if it is puting out the right charge.
Oh, and what he said is one way to see if the head gasket is blown. Check the coolant and see if you see oil in it, or check the oil and see if there is water (coolant) in it. The oil will look like a rust color and will be thick if the head gasket is blown. Also, when you run it just above idle, the smoke coming out the tail-pipe will be white, and very thick. If none of that helps, then I'm sorry. The whole thing will cost just about $500 for everything.

[wilfie27]

If you did blow a head gasket there is a good chance you warped your head. You can't just mill it flat, you have to have it straightend first. The camshaft rides inside the head so if your head is warped your cam journals will be warped too.