Question : 89 Oldsmobile, 2.8 (Gen II), won't start

[ahanix1989]

Another one of those "friend of a friend" deals, I'm being presented with a very very beat-up 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a 2.8 V6.

The transmission fluid is fried and causing it to slip horribly, but if I rev the hell out of the engine for a short bit, it seems to run better. I have never seen the car before today, so this is all "as I'm seeing it". They also believed the timing was bad. I do not know why, if the transmission is obviously faulty they believe timing is also an issue.

They drove down to Milwaukee, and now apparently the car won't start. I'm not being told whether or not it'll crank, if they put it in neutral, if it stalled out.... nothing.

So I'll just ask generic questoins for now.
1) How difficult is it to replace the timing chain in these? I'm assuming it's a noninterference engine
2) Are there any common problems to these engines that I should be aware of?
3) What is the most efficient way of getting fresher transmission fluid in?

If it were me, I would just junk the car... but it's not mine.

Thanks for any assistance any of you may be able to give.

-Paul

[ahanix1989]

Nevermind.

I'm not dealing with stoners ever again.
We drive 100 miles to get to his car to see why it won't start.
It's because the previous night he was too stoned to figure out to turn the key forward to start it. He just kept turning it to "On".

Jesus Christ.

[pocket-rocket]

Lol! That made my night. I hope you charged him for 200 miles worth of gas for your inconvenience. I hope he at least checks the oil once in a while when he's sober too.

[ahanix1989]

It's still not worth it. It's a disgrace of a car.

1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass
Driver's door replaced, replacement door bashed
Kickpanel dented in, apparently side-slid into a pole
Both fenders bashed
Driver's quarter panel dented and rusted
All clearcoat flaking off
Driver's window shattered
Windshield cracked
Upholstery stained
No stereo
Hood release broken, just has a loom of wire hanging under the bumper
Bald cracked tires
Transmission fluid is darker than the motor oil

All it needs to fit the stereotypical "beater" car is the muffler dragging on the ground (though to his credit, it looks like a new muffler was installed)

[tkoforpresident]

hahahha

[bszopi]

It almost sounds like its a good thing he couldn't get it started. I'd hate to see someone stoned enough not to figure out how to start a car actually driving a car.

[robertisaar]

Hood release broken, just has a loom of wire hanging under the bumper

a lot of 1st gen Ws have no choice on that one... the original hood releases just suck out load and break.

[walterdude]

My 93 Z34 just has a loop of the original cable stickin out of the grill... I DO have a brand new cable in the box.. MAYBE someday I'll install it!!!
Tom...

[pocket-rocket]

I got lucky and only broke off the popper handle beside the seat. I happen to have a working one in the 91 that is going to get donated to the 92 when part out time comes around.