Repair Archive
Every Fix, Failure, and Educated Guess
The full record — every repair, every diagnosis, every upgrade, every mistake I own up to. Nothing's hidden, including the stuff that didn't work.
New Here?
Just found this mess? Start with these three.
Start Here
The quickest way to get up to speed — the wagon, the work so far, and why any of this is happening.
Current State of the Wagon
What runs, what doesn't, and why the wagon is currently off the road.
Everything I've Done
The full tracker — repairs, failed attempts, and whatever I'm currently stuck on.
Current Engine Problem
Cylinder #1 Had Something to Say
The latest video and test results tie it all together — the symptoms, the spark-plug evidence, the compression numbers, the coolant behavior. The repair itself is on hold while I work out the plan, the help, the tools, and the cost.
Three cylinders had 140 PSI. One had 61.
The #1 spark plug came out with clear liquid on its firing tip. During the compression test, cylinder #1 repeatedly measured 61 psi while cylinders #2, #3, and #4 each measured 140 psi. Coolant also surged from the open radiator neck while the engine was cranking. Put together, that confirms a serious sealing problem in cylinder #1 — a head-gasket or cylinder-head problem is the leading explanation, but the exact leak path is not confirmed yet.
Engine & Drivability
Getting the Engine to Behave
Low-Compression Engine Diagnosis
The full evidence trail behind the 61 PSI reading in cylinder #1 — what it confirms, and what's still unknown.
2.2 Turbo Compression Test
Cylinder #1 measured 61 psi. Twice. The other three cylinders each measured 140 psi.
Spark Plug Inspection
All four plugs came out sooty. Plug #1 came out with something worse: clear liquid on the firing tip.
Head Gasket Diagnosis
A head-gasket or cylinder-head problem now leads the list, but the exact failed part is not confirmed.
Throttle Body Cleaning
Cleaned the throttle body while chasing down rough running and hard starting.
Fuel Smell After Shutdown
The odor shows up after shutdown alongside hard-start and hot no-start symptoms. Its source has not been confirmed.
PCV Valve Refresh
Investigating the crankcase-ventilation system and a small maintenance item that turned into a turbo-sized job.
Boost Leak Treasure Hunt
Searching for lost boost, old hoses, and mystery vacuum leaks.
Vacuum Line Spaghetti
The ongoing adventure of understanding early Chrysler turbo vacuum routing.
Cooling System
Keeping It From Boiling Over
Electrical & Instruments
The Electrons Have Opinions
Dash Lights & LEDs
Picked white LEDs to shine through the original green cluster filters and help the dash glow evenly again.
Dimmer Switch Investigation
Haven't cleaned it, haven't proven it's faulty. Still one possible piece of the unfinished dash-light diagnosis.
Instrument Cluster Adventure
Half the lights worked, the cluster came out, and the speedometer cable became its own side quest.
Power Door Lock Revival
Lubrication and patience brought the forty-year-old power locks back to life.
Trunk Release Button
The button was never broken. The missing troubleshooting step was putting the key in the ignition.
Why I Skipped Keyless Entry
Once the factory power locks worked again, adding more wiring felt like an unnecessary new way to break them.
Interior
Making the Inside Less Sad
Paint & Exterior
Looking Better Than Yesterday
Heating & Air Conditioning
Can the Wagon Be Cold Again?
Suspension & Chassis
Making It Less Boat-Like
Beyond the Repairs
Research Library
Fixing the wagon is only half the project. The other half is figuring out how Chrysler built, marketed, sold, and supported these cars when they were new.
Turbo Mopar Resources
Forums, archives, technical references, and communities dedicated to keeping these cars alive.
Chrysler Brochures & Ads
Original brochures, advertisements, showroom materials, and factory marketing.
Parts Sources
The places that still help keep these old wagons on the road.
Project Resources
Need the Full Story?
Buyer's Guide
What I have learned about rust, cooling, electrical issues, trim, and other old-wagon surprises.
Journey So Far
How the wagon connects to my first car and eventually found its way into the garage.
2.2 Turbo Survival Guide
General troubleshooting information separated from what the tests have confirmed on this wagon.
See Where the Wagon Stands Now