Chrysler Repair: 1992 Lebaron 4 Cyl. TBI no Turbo: head gasket r&r, head gasket, spray pattern


Question
QUESTION: 1st let me thank you Roland for all your help in the past. I have been using your old answers for over 3 years keeping my 3 Lebaron's running! This is my 1st posted question as I cant find a resolution in previous posts. 153k miles driving 142 Highway miles 6 days a week. Last week made a stop and a turn and all of a sudden it gust seemed to loose power and run like crap. would get up to 70 but not as fast or normal as usual. at idle shakes and seems to drown in gas when given a quick acceleration. A slow elceleration seems fine. Only codes are 12&55. I Replaced fuel filter and O2 sensor. Checked all vacume lines,(there aren't that many) removed plugs 1 at a time and notice huge difference every time. I was thinking EGR? BUT! I'll be damned if I can find one! Even the Vacume diagram on the inside of the hood doesn't show one. Anyway, I'm stuck on this one. Thanking you in advance for your time and efforts, Sincerely, Brian N

ANSWER: Hi Brian,
You are welcome! I looked at the '92 manual and find that the egr on the 2.2/2.5 may or may not be present depending upon the vehicle and the state where it was first sold. Because it is not spelled out in detail the best way to find out is to look for it. If you have one it would be hehind the engine at the passenger-end so look from that side of the hood opening. It sits above the exhaust manifold, actually on a bracket/fitting that is part of the intake manifold that is on the front corner of the than manifold. So either there is something or there isn't.
If you don't have an egr then my first thought would be to check the spray pattern of the injector in the throttle body. When it is idling the spray should be very fine and symettrical with no drips, and when the engine is shut off it shouldn't drip either. There is a possibility that the injector has started to fail and if you haven't has to replace the original then it is a good possibility that the injector is the problem.
Let me know if you have an egr and I can tell you how to check it. Otherwise it is a moot point.
Roland

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QUESTION: OK, I have confirmed that there is no EGR. The spray out the injector is not noticeable, that meaning that it is fine. Because I let it warm up I did notice that it is flippin smoking!
I don't have a compression tester but I suspect it's the flippin head gasket. Can you provide links for me to get the "correct" info on replacing it? IE, the tork specks and the like.  and again Roland, You have provided me with many answers in the past just searching your posts. I AM TRULY appreciative of all you have "UNKNOWINGLY" done for me and I would assume(i hate that word) others as well!!!

Answer
Hi Brian,
I used a write-up at www.allpar.com called "replacing your head gasket" by John Mastriano with good success (www.allpar.com/eek/headgasket.html). Also at the same site www.allpar.com/timingbelt.html  Also see message #10764 at the Yahoo Autos group called TheChryslerLebaronClub. And you are welcome.
Roland