Buying 87 Wagoneer with engine problems

[ChopperCharles]

I'm buying a 1987 Jeep Grand Wagoneer with some unknown engine problems. It runs, but supposedly the headgasket is bad. The current owner is quite blonde, and has no idea what exactly is wrong with it. She's spent more than $2000 on repairs with her "trusted mechanic" in the last year, and now all she wants to do is get rid of the car. So I'm getting it for $400. The body and interior are PERFECT.

As far as the engine is concerned, is there anything I should look out for and know before I go in and talk to her mechanic? I'll be looking the car over tomorrow, (checking radiator fluid, pulling spark plugs, etc) and I'd like to go in with a little knowledge of what COULD be wrong.

Thanks.

Charles.

[xj2fsj]

If her mechanic is stumped I would probably ignore him altogether. Just buy it and do a little searching yourself. Even if the engine is junk, just swap in a "new" one. If it is the head gasket it should take you about three beers to fix it.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Look for antifreeze in the oil. It will look separated and frothy on the dipstick. If it runs, look for white smoke in the exhaust. If it got real hot, chances are it could've warped a head, and not just blown the gasket. Figure worst case you're going to be pulling the top end of the motor apart, and possibly be replacing the heads. This is of course assuming the rest of the motor is in good shape - rings, valves, lifters, etc etc... Keep that in mind.

[710 Burner]

Also check for a missing cylinder. When you pull the spark plug, it should be green (anti-freeze).
But for 400 bucks, you still would not be hurt if you replaced the whole engine.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

Yeah, I never mentioned, $400 would be a good deal even with NO motor, if everything else is as good as you said.

Too bad you weren't a little closer, I have 2 nice complete 360's looking for good homes..

[imported_horsepuller]

IF the body and interior are PERFECT (or even close to perfect), for goodness sake don't tell the guy you're buying it for $400.

[letank]

If the rest is mint, got for it.....

bad engine.... can be lack or too much gas.... or poor electrical..... like the dizzie of the brain box.....

start with the cheapest part... and move up the $$$ ladder

cheers

Michel

[tuckers89GW]

just buy it. it could be many things. $400 is dirt cheap for one that the interior/exterior is almost perfect.

[GasWag]

BUY!!!!!!! smile.gif

[xj2fsj]

you buy it yet?!?

[Crazy Lucy]

Dear God, Man - Buy it! That is an incredible price - and do not tell the mechanic how much she is foolish enough to sell it for.

[Drivir8]

I say what are you waiting for! It's a no loose situation... If you decide you don't want to mess with it, you can part it out or just sell the whole thing to one of your good friends here for the customery 50% discount!!!!! smile.gif And just to be a bud... put me in line first... smile.gif