is it worth it?

[04lss]

So ive been looking for another play toy. i had to give my 97 to my Father. I was looking at face book and stumbled across this
http://richmond.craigslist.org/ctd/5214153504.html

seems like a decent deal. New head gasket (120 for a kit on ebay) (worst case a $300 junkyard motor)
and some minor fixes.

thoughts? its either this or tune my my 15 jetta

[JamesIvey24]

check the rockers and rear strut towers for cancer

[Slick2500]

What makes you think it needs a head gasket?
Just as a fyi the odds of blowing a head gasket on a stock 3800 are very very very very very slim. I am willing to bet it just needs intake gaskets, valve cover gaskets, and oil pan gasket.

[04lss]

leaking coolant, i guess my mind went to into the oil, maybe it needs a radiator hose and thats it.

what are the rockers?

[Slick2500]

leaking coolant, i guess my mind went to into the oil, maybe it needs a radiator hose and thats it.

what are the rockers?

Rocker panels, look under the car and if you see this walk away.

[04lss]

Thanks man, if it doesnt have any cancer is it a decent deal? i figure i could have it running and driving for about 800 including the price of the car.

[Scottydoggs]

looks like the coolant elbow blew out, see all the rust on the alt and the lim, i had to zoom in 500% to see it good.

id go check it for rust, if none is found whats a few hundred more on top of the 500 asking price for new parts to get it road worthy?

[Slick2500]

Yeah $800 sounds pretty close including the price of the car. Then figure in another $300-500 for tie rods, hub bearings, tires, brakes, side markers and other things it will probably need.

[04lss]

Yeah $800 sounds pretty close including the price of the car. Then figure in another $300-500 for tie rods, hub bearings, tires, brakes, side markers and other things it will probably need.

its probably the better option over modding my Jetta, Modd my play car and not my DD,
Some AR Rockers, headers and a pulley and im faster than the jetta could hope to be anyway.

[Slick2500]

its probably the better option over modding my Jetta, Modd my play car and not my DD,
A Cam, headers and a pulley and im faster than the jetta could hope to be anyway.

Fixed.

[EHB]

pull the carpet up in the trunk and look around the tire area.

and don't forget the towing cost.

[04lss]

So i went and looked at the car today, no rust i could find, windows and sunroof worked (surprising honestly) except for the RR window. Has the onstar mirror with auto darkening. Started it up, ran fine. moved it around the lot to make sure the trans worked, parking brake works. offered 450, and got it towed for free via my roadside assistance through my insurance.
450 in the yard
found bearings on ebay 50 for the pair, tie rod ends 20$ , $10 for the new coolant elbows. $200 tires (all around) $50 rear brakes via rock auto running drivable car for >1000
if it turns out it has some major issues the junkyard will pay about 350 in scrap weight so... im not gonna take too much of a loss here.
pictures to follow.

[Scottydoggs]

nice deal. tip tho, cheap hubs are cheap hubs, they dont last long, and no warranty.

[04lss]

nice deal. tip tho, cheap hubs are cheap hubs, they dont last long, and no warranty.

yeah i expect 5-10k out of them. I really want to have a second car on the road so im willing to replace them later.

[Scottydoggs]

as long as you know.

[Slick2500]

Just make sure you torque the axle nut down to the proper spec that should help them last longer.

[04lss]

Fooled around with it. honestly im surprised by whats working on it. i bought a battery for it (not going for a used will is start or not battery again) and checked out the electrical. All the lights work, interior and exterior (im not sure what the add was talking about with the needing lights) the stock radio works, as do the steering wheel controls. Got the one stuck window working so now all 4 work. the HUD works, and best and most surprising of all, THE AC WORKS!! ive ordered everything to fix it, except the tires.
I stuck a hose in the radiator to see where it was leaking and immediately water started spraying from the coolant elbows. Oil is clean idles right so no head gasket issue.
all in all not as bad as i was expecting.

[Scottydoggs]

awesome find!!!!

[EHB]

$50 for 2 front hubs ? yikes

[Slick2500]

Fooled around with it. honestly im surprised by whats working on it. i bought a battery for it (not going for a used will is start or not battery again) and checked out the electrical. All the lights work, interior and exterior (im not sure what the add was talking about with the needing lights) the stock radio works, as do the steering wheel controls. Got the one stuck window working so now all 4 work. the HUD works, and best and most surprising of all, THE AC WORKS!! ive ordered everything to fix it, except the tires.
I stuck a hose in the radiator to see where it was leaking and immediately water started spraying from the coolant elbows. Oil is clean idles right so no head gasket issue.
all in all not as bad as i was expecting.

Of course no head gasket issue, this is a buick 3800 v6 not a Honda engine. We already went over that.

Sent from A Galaxy Far Far Away