Date: Tue, 1 May 2001 00:34:27 -0700
Reply-To: Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Ok -- So I went and looked at the van today:
The van was listed as '90 Carat - actually is a '89
Carat. It is at a used handicapped van place - asking
is $6000 - Edmunds has it from $2500-4800 depending on
repairs etc. (this van has a used wheelchair lift in
the side door - probably worth $500-750). Automatic
with air. (A/C no workie - see below)
So after I inspected it for around an hour (thanks to
the list for the form - totally valuable to use:
http://vanagon.com/info/articles/buring/bus-buyers-guide/index.html)
and before I even drove it I told the guy about the
engine (see below) and offered him $2500. He's
getting back to me tomorrow on that figure.
I'd really, really appreciate comments from folks
about the engine issue
Major issues:
a. Now for big news - when I got there it had been
moved across their parking lot. There was dampness in
the tail pipe and a brown spot of rusty water on the
ground. When I started it specks of water flew out of
the exhaust pipe. A mechanic I phoned told me this
means either: bad headgaskets or a cracked head.
Note: after I drove it I checked the exhaust pipe and
it was dry
Any ideas anyone? A mechanic i've visited b4 - Bela
Auto in Burbank, CA said over phone this is probably
at least headgaskets or maybe cracked cylindar heads
(as i figured) and would be around $1500 - 2000.
(b) Engine stumbles sometimes when starting out - and
also when cold - any ideas anyone?
When driving the van has great zip - plenty of pickup
and generally a pleasure to drive. I'm totally hooked
on getting a Vanagon after this drive...just not sure
if this is THE one....
FEEDBACK PLEASE !!!!!!
b. Was hit in right rear, had broken engine
mount/frame problems (fixed per repair records)
General Stuff:
(1)Has wheelchair swing lift - old model - no longer
made - works
(2) Regular radials -not LT tires
(3) Ran VIN# search - sold 1st in Illinois - was there
for 4 years (had 80,000 when came out to calif)
(4) Rust under sliding door track, under step-ups at
front doors, at lower left windshield
(5) No rust found in wheel wheels front or rear (maybe
a new undercoat job???)
(6) Missing: spare and jack
(7) small chip in windshield
(8) Interior in great shape - new headliner; seats not
worn or squishy; carpet ok
(9) gauges worked to spec
(10) ran cool during/after drive
(11) new front rotors/pads - rears unknown
(12) new power steering pump
(13) A/C is down the middle - and doesn't blow cold---
any ideas anyone?
(14) Drove ok - no pulling; brakes worked good - no
pulling or diving to one side/other
(15) no weeping of water/oil/fluids around engine
before test drive or after
(16)Dipstick showed no water beads before/after
driving
(17) Engine oil didn't smell of exhaust excessively
before/after driving
--- Tony Gould <tgerr85@yahoo.com> wrote:
> all,
>
> I am the dad of a 15 yr old wheelchair user -
> interested in purchasing a vanagon w/power lift for
> the chair into the side door. Saw an ad for a '90
> w/150,000 miles -- original engine/auto trans
> w/front
> and center air....$5990 It is located here in So
> Calif....
> - any feedback on reliablity - what to look for (i
> know about the headgaskets, possible incorrect
> water/coolant issues, blow-by on the rings/guides
> etc)....reliablity? other issues/whatch-out-fors?
> Thanks,
>
> Tony
>
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