1986 Oldsmobile 88 problems
The Oldsmobile 88 (marketed from 1989 on as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was sold and produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 until 1974, the 88 was the division's most profitable line, particularly the entry level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88. The 88 series was also an image leader for Oldsmobile, particularly in the early years (1949–51), when it was one of the best performing automobiles, thanks to its relatively small size, light weight, and advanced overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine. This engine, originally designed for the larger C-bodied and more luxurious 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high performance V8, the Oldsmobile 88 is considered by some to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed.
Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910s for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. Starting after the war, Oldsmobile changed their designations and standardized them so that the first number signified the chassis platform, while the second number signified how many cylinders. A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run — Super, Golden Rocket, Dynamic, Jetstar, Delta, Delmont, Starfire, Holiday, LS, LSS, Celebrity, and Royale were used at various times with the 88 badge, and Fiesta appeared on some station wagons in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was more commonly shown as numerals in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989.
First generation (1949–1953)
Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. The new car used the same new A-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the new 303 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8 engine producing 135 horsepower (101 kW). This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became the one to beat on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) circuits.
It won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, 20 of 41 in 1952, and was eventually eclipsed by the low-slung, powerful Hudson Hornet, but it was still the first real "King of NASCAR." This led to increased sales to the public. There was a pent up demand for new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy, and the 88 appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had operated powerful military equipment.
The 88 enjoyed great success, inspiring a popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record. Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 1990s, almost until the end of Oldsmobile itself.
The 1949 model was equipped with an ignition key and a starter push-button to engage the starter. Pushing the starter button would engage the starter, but if the ignition key was not inserted, unlocking the ignition, the car would not start. The car was equipped with an oil bath air cleaner. At the bottom edge of the front fender directly behind the front wheel was a badge that said "Futuramic" which identified an Oldsmobile approach to simplified driving, and the presence of an automatic transmission. V8 Oldsmobiles were automatic-only in 1949 as Oldsmobile lacked a manual gearbox that could handle the torque of the new engine.1948 Oldsmobile Futuramic introduction In 1950, Oldsmobile offered a modified Cadillac manual gearbox for V8 models. The 88 now outsold the six-cylinder 76 lineup, which was dropped entirely after the 1950 model year. It had a 40 ft. turning circle. Hershel McGriff and Ray Elliot with the 1950 model won the 1950 Carrera Panamericana.
For 1951, the 88 became the entry-level Olds with the discontinuation of the six-cylinder 76 line, which meant that all Oldsmobiles were powered by Rocket V8s. An in-house manual transmission replaced the modified Cadillac gearbox, but as the 1950s progressed, manual shift became increasingly rare in Oldsmobiles and normally could only be obtained by special order. New this year was the more upscale Super 88 line on the new GM B-body which included restyled rear body panels, a more luxurious interior, and a slightly longer 120 in (3,048 mm) wheelbase as opposed to the 119.5 in (3,035 mm) wheelbase which had been standard since the 88's introduction. The station wagon was discontinued and would not reappear until the 1957 model year. New was an I-beam frame. Hydraulic power windows and seats were optional.
In 1952, the base 88 shared the Super 88's rear body panels and wheelbase, and came with a Rocket V8 and two-barrel carburetor while Super 88s came with a new four-barrel carburetor upping the output to 160 hp (119 kW). Other mechanical features were unchanged with styling changes amounting to new grilles, taillights, and interior revisions. New was the optional automatic headlight control.
For 1953, the base 88 was renamed the DeLuxe 88 for only this one year while the Super 88 continued as a more upscale version. Engines and transmission offerings were the same as 1952. Late in the 1953 model year, a fire destroyed GM's Hydra-Matic plant in Livonia, Michigan, which was then the only source for Hydra-Matic transmissions. The temporary loss of Hydra-Matic production led Oldsmobile to build thousands of its 1953 models with Buick's two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmissions until GM pressed its Willow Run Transmission plant into service to resume Hydra-Matic production. New options this year included Frigidaire air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.
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Common 1986 Oldsmobile 88 problems
The Oldsmobile Delta 88, particularly the 1986 model, is known to have several common problems based on complaints from owners. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues:
- Engine issues: The Delta 88 Royale was known to have engine issues, including oil leaks and overheating due to a malfunctioning cooling system.
- Suspension issues: The Delta 88 Royale was known to have suspension issues, including worn out shocks and struts, which could cause a bouncy ride and lead to uneven tire wear.
- Transmission issues: The transmission in the Delta 88 Royale could experience problems with slipping gears, delayed shifting, and difficulty shifting into reverse.
- Fuel system issues: The Delta 88 LS, a luxury trim level of the Delta 88 model line, was known to have fuel system problems, including issues with the fuel pump, fuel injectors, or fuel pressure regulator.
- Suspension issues: The Delta 88 LS was also known to have suspension problems, including issues with the car's shocks, struts, or ball joints.
- Cooling system issues: Cooling system problems, including leaks, overheating, or a malfunctioning radiator, were also common in the Delta 88 LS.
Regular maintenance and prompt attention to any issues that arise can help ensure the vehicle remains safe and reliable on the road.
Was the Delta 88 a good car?
And in the flesh, it was decently and cleanly styled, with the coupe being the best looking of the lot. As Car And Driver said, trouble started as a 'personality crisis' appeared under driving: the Delta '88 had a good chassis that offered respectable performance, but controls and sensations that felt oddly isolated.
How much horsepower does a 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 have?
Specifications for Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Sedan 5.0 V8 Hydra-Matic, 142hp, 1985.
What year did Oldsmobile make the Delta 88?
Drive flagship the toronado for 1968 the overall. Design was a carryover. The 1969-88 series dropped the delmont.
How many miles per gallon does a 1988 Oldsmobile Delta get?
Compare Side-by-Side
| 1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 | |
|---|---|
| EPA Fuel Economy | Regular Gasoline |
| 20 MPG 17 26 combined city/highway city highway | |
| 5.0 gal/100mi | |
| MPG estimates for 2016 and older vehicles may have been revised Learn more | View Original EPA MPG |
Was the Delta 88 a good car?
And in the flesh, it was decently and cleanly styled, with the coupe being the best looking of the lot. As Car And Driver said, trouble started as a 'personality crisis' appeared under driving: the Delta '88 had a good chassis that offered respectable performance, but controls and sensations that felt oddly isolated.
How much horsepower does a 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 have?
Specifications for Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale Brougham Sedan 5.0 V8 Hydra-Matic, 142hp, 1985.
What year did Oldsmobile make the Delta 88?
Drive flagship the toronado for 1968 the overall. Design was a carryover. The 1969-88 series dropped the delmont.
How many miles per gallon does a 1988 Oldsmobile Delta get?
Compare Side-by-Side
| 1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 | |
|---|---|
| EPA Fuel Economy | Regular Gasoline |
| 20 MPG 17 26 combined city/highway city highway | |
| 5.0 gal/100mi | |
| MPG estimates for 2016 and older vehicles may have been revised Learn more | View Original EPA MPG |
1986 Oldsmobile 88 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile 88 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Steering problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1986 Oldsmobile 88 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1986 Oldsmobile 88
The NHTSA has received 34 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1986 Oldsmobile 88. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1986 Oldsmobile 88 vehicles.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-03-30
- VIN: 1G3HY693XGW
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS ABOUT 3 MINUTES AFTER FIRST START, MOSTLY WHEN MAKING TURNS OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. NLM
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: WHILE TRAVELING WENT INTO EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION WITHOUT INDICATION DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL BEING STUCK. AS A RESULT, CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, AND WAS INJURED. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-02
- VIN: 11G3CX69B6G
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLS/ AND HESITATES. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH THERE IS A LOSS OF POWER. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-11
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN PUT IN REVERSE RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-06-01
- VIN: 1G3HN6936GW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL MECHANISM GETS STUCK OR CANNOT MOVE PROPERLY WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-07-01
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y2G9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS. *AK
WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-04-18
- VIN: 1G3HN6934GW
- Components: WHEELS
- Summary: FRONT WHEEL FELL OFF HITTING OTHER VEHICLE.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3BP35YX69
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: SHORT IN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAUSES BRAKE LIGHT TO COME ON.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3BP35YX69
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE SHOES FAILED.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: ACCUMULATOR FAILED.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-03-25
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: BRAKE SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER BRAKES.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-06-29
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: BRAKE MOTOR FAILED, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKING POWER.
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-09-20
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: VENT SWITCH STUCK DUE TO FAILED CONTROL HEAD.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-06-16
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: THE PUMP MOTOR FAILED.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-21
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-12-21
- VIN: 1G3BP35Y6G9
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: REAR BRAKE SHOES FAILED AND THE DRUMS WERE RESURFACED.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1997-03-01
- VIN: 1G3HN6938G1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE STALLS.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: 1G3BP35YX69
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: ACCUMULATOR FAILED.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-10-10
- VIN: PLEASE FILL
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. EXPLAIN IN MORE DETAILS. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-02-03
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TRANSMISSION REPLACED.(1ST VEHICLE ON 601619)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-06-14
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: VEHICLE REVVED EXTREMELY HIGH WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. DLRS. DIAGNOSIS: IDLE CONTROL MOTOR FAILED. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1993-01-12
- VIN: 1G3HY6930GW
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: FAILUE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINT SUDDENLY IS LOOSE. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AFTER ENGAGING DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE, POPS RIGHT OUT; USE FRONT MIDDLE BELT; PASSENGER SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOESN'T FUNCTION AT ALL,AS THOUGH NOTHING IS THERE
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-05-15
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: AFTER ENGAGING DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE, POPS RIGHT OUT; USE FRONT MIDDLE BELT; PASSENGER SHOULDER RESTRAINT DOESN'T FUNCTION AT ALL,AS THOUGH NOTHING IS THERE
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-11-07
- VIN: 1G3HY3735GW
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: REPLACED POWER WINDOW SWITCH.
1986 Oldsmobile 88 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1986 Oldsmobile 88.
- Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
- Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
- Summary: THE LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD TO KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT MAY HAVE BEEN INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED. CONSEQUENCE OF DEFECT: THIS COULD ALLOW THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD TO LOOSEN AT THE KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT. A LOOSE BALL JOINT STUD COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK AND SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE. SEPARATION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
- Remedy: REPLACE AND TIGHTEN BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT STUD NUTS.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1986 Oldsmobile 88 problems:
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Aug 20, 2009 ... My 1986 Oldsmobile Automatic full equipped, Delta 88, Royal Braugham, V-6,, 3.8 cc has problems as follows: It suddenly - Answered by a ...
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Apr 19, 2011 ... ... Delta 88 and dont know much about the orig 307 engine ... you may have more problems with what is hooked to the engine than the engine itself.
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Aug 28, 2009 ... Hello, the more common problem for this is a dirty throttle body or dirty IAC ( idle control valve). It is noted as IAC in pic below. You ...
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