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1981

Hello there, many common faults will cause your 1981 Dodge D150 to not start. The most common would be the battery (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-replacement), starter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/starter-replacement), batter cable (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/battery-cable-replacement), fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-pump-replacement), fuel filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-filter-replacement), ignition switch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ignition-switch-replacement) or a wiring harness...

I would recommend checking the oil level. Sometimes when an engine is just slightly low, the oil light may come on at idle simply due to the lack of oil pressure when the motor is not working as hard. Be...

Hi. Replacing parts without diagnosing can get expensive very quickly. The carburetor needs to be adjusted properly before installing (idle screws 3 1/2 turns out, throttle stop barely cracked) and the insulator gasket has to be the correct part. Many...

The firing order for the Chevy 350 is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 as the distributor spins clockwise. As you know, cylinders 2,4,6,8 run along the left side of the motor (assuming you are standing in front of the car facing the engine) and...

Hi there. If the engine continues to burn coolant then you may have a warped block or there are a few other places where coolant can enter the engine. I have seen cracks in the timing cover and in the...

Hi there. Try putting the transmission in drive and reverse back and forth. If the clunk is heard in both directions and the clunk changes in sound pitch, then there is a universal joint that has the bearings burned up...

Hey there. While it has been some time since I worked on one of these early CCC vehicles, the first place I would look is the carburetor itself. If the vehicle idles fine but stalls or hesitates when hitting the...

Hello, this sounds like a problem with the governor, perhaps the governor spring to be specific. If the spring breaks, it will not allow the 1-2 shift. The fluid leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection) is likely not a big deal on its own...

Hello there. Thanks for writing in about your 1981 Chevrolet El Camino. A few common faults could cause this type of squealing. The most likely would be a fan clutch (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fan-clutch-replacement), V-belt (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/serpentine-drive-belt-replacement), alternator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/alternator-replacement), or a water pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/water-pump-replacement)....

Hi. If your oil is dripping onto your exhaust, I suspect that the leak may not be coming from the oil pan, as the oil pan is usually below the exhaust. A certified mechanic can inspect the oil leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/oil-fluid-leak-inspection)...

You may have defective ignition module or distributor pip sensor. I would suggest having a mechanic like one from YourMechanic check the problem for you or you can start by replacing the ignition module and see if it helps? You...

It appears you have performed a lot of work on your Ford F250. However, the information provided is still limited due to not knowing why these parts were replaced. Knowing if the vehicle was running prior to the replacement of...

The mileage is not that high but due to the age, before attempting further diagnostics, you should test cylinder compression and intake vacuum (to check for stuck valves). If you determine that the engine is basically mechanically sound, there are...

The best thing to do is read the code that is being output by the ECM and that is causing the check engine light to come on. In 1981, of course, the number of codes output was very limited but...

Hi there. Check the fuse box for any live circuits with a test light and the ignition switch turned to the off position. Then hook up your exterior lighting system to that port with a fusible link and a toggle...

The cylinder head gasket mating surface must be machined flat to ensure a proper seal and the exhaust manifold mounting surface may be machined if there is an exhaust leak there from the cylinder head warping. A few small pits...

Hey there. This problem of stalls on acceleration (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-shuts-off-when-stepping-on-gas-pedal-inspection) is most likely caused by the carburetor accelerator pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/accelerator-pump-replacement) is not pumping fuel into the engine when the throttle is pressed. This explains the vehicle running great at steady speeds...

You will find it on the passenger side rear of the engine. It's a little tough to get to unless on a vehicle lift.

The ignition module failing after getting hot is the most likely failed part causing the stall. There can also be a problem with the fuel pump or sensors. I recommend seeking a certified mechanic, like one from YourMechanic, to come...

Hello. Most of the time if the starter is new then you have a bad battery or a failing battery cable. If the battery has been tested and is fine then the battery cables need to be checked. A certified...