Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Chambers, Arizona

No kidding, those are only marginally more desirable than a Geo Metro convertible;) In a roundabout sort of way, I was responsible for a friend of mine buying one of those FWD Capri convertibles. Once upon a time, I was a member of the Maryland DeSoto owners club. I became friends with another member who only lived a few miles away, and was one of the few who wasn't three days older than God. Well, he had bought a 1950 DeSoto Custom 4-door sedan. Nice car, and in great shape, but not exactly exciting. Something you'd expect Mr. Cunningham in "Happy Days" to drive. He was a bit envious when I got my '57 Firedome 2-door hardtop. Soon thereafter, he bought a '55 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado...one of the first triple-tone cars ever offered. Much more hip and swinging, but still, a 4-door sedan. Then, I got my '67 Catalina convertible. And that made my friend get the convertible bug. His first dip into the water was an '83 or so LeBaron convertible with the 2.6 "Silent Shaft' Mistubhishi "Hemi" (I shudder to use that word, but technically, it did have a hemispherical combustion chamber). That didn't last long though, and before I knew it, he had one of those FWD Aussie Capris. Honestly, I don't know if the Capri was a good car or not, as he didn't have it long. Last time I saw him, he got rid of the '55 DeSoto and the Capri, and bought a '72 Corvette. That was back around 1996 or so.

Actually the EcoBoost engines have both Direct Injection and turbos. The DI actually gives them good control of fuel delivery to cool the combustion chamber, and allow for 87 octane to be used. Pretty nifty. IMHO DI should become universal, but I'm sure it's not cheap...

That seems like a great deal - may I ask what dealer in MA you worked with? Also, will you have to pay the $395 lease termination fee? I was working with the dealer at Herb Chambers in Boston and it got a little uncomfortable when he was talking about needing to replace all 4 tires before returning and paying $395. Any insight is much appreciated.

There's always Erin Brockovich until proposals like yours turn all the keys over to the Chamber of Commerce. :P

Did you use a 50-50 mixture of coolant and distilled water in the cooling system; or did you use pure coolant? Coolant is designed to be diluted with 30 to 70% water (preferably distilled water) before being used in an engine. Pure coolant, or more than 70% coolant, will make the engine overheat. Did you recheck the coolant level by removing the radiator cap and looking in the radiator, after running the truck following the parts replacement? There usually is a significant amount of trapped air left in the system after it is worked on. This air will initially prevent the radiator from being filled completely. The air will work out of the system in a day or two; so the radiator must then be refilled to replace the volume of air that came out. If the radiator is not refilled; the motor will run hot under loads. How did you determine that the head gasket is not leaking? If the coolant level keeps going down; and no external leak is visible; it probably is being pulled into the combustion chambers through the head gasket. There are 2 different thermostat temperatures available for this model. The stock thermostat is 190 degrees. There is an alternate 180 degree thermostat which is also available. Changing to the cooler thermostat can help this problem. If your engine has been modified, and you are pulling heavy loads at high speeds; it may be necessary to use a radiator with a heavier core than standard. Radiator shops can make up a radiator with a heavier core; and aftermarket suppliers may also offer them. If the radiator cap has a damaged seal, or the cap's pressure spring is weak or the cap is the wrong pressure rating (should be 16psi); it will cause overheating under loads. If this vehicle originally had a fan shroud around the radiator fan; and that shroud was removed; it would cause overheating. If the fuel filter is restricted, or the electric fuel lift pump is defective; or the injection timing is set wrong; this will cause overheating under loads. If your engine has been modified for more power or more economy; the injection timing and fuel delivery rate should be recalibrated to match the modifications. This can be done by a shop that specializes in diesel fuel injection service on big rigs.