83 300td 98k

[Whiskeydan]

I just looked at, test drove this car. Seller says he has replaced the rear axles due to the CV joints seizing.
Also, he had to remove the head when he dropped a valve during a recent valve stem seal replacement. Says he got it back together only two weeks ago.
I noticed the ALDA adjustment cap had been breached. Although the car seemed sluggish to me. I saw no fluid leaks. It started ok cold and had a slight intermittant miss when warm. Very slight.

It drove tight and staight, had a small spot of rust (blister) under the drivers side rear most window trim. The transmission shifted ok but I could hear a whine from it when in park(?). CC was intermittant (fan). AC comp made a noise but it could have been a belt.
Interior was a 6 out of 10. Sunroof didn't work.

I prolly would have taken it had he NOT mentioned the head removal. It got me to thinking about the axles, valve seals... seems like alot of problems for only 98K miles. I've seen over 250K on axles with no problems.

It was priced at $3K and he was somewhat firm.

I'm afraid it might be an overpriced fixer. I really didn't like the color either but I guess I can't be that picky with a 20+ yr old TD.

Advice? Guidance?

[kerry]

If it really only has 98k miles, that's a good price. Sunroofs are manual on TD's so what was wrong with it? Couldn't pull it back? Heads are unique on TD's since they have the pump for the rear hydraulic suspension. If the head is damaged, finding another could be difficult or pricey. Perhaps the boots failed causing the CV's to go out. Rubber ages regardless of mileage, so the fact that the axles were replaced may not be a big deal.

[Whiskeydan]

Seller said he had replaced the sunroof seal and had a very difficult time closing it. Says he will never open it again. So, I took it to mean there was some problem(s) with it.

There was a white 85 TD that has been sitting for a few months behind a house a few miles from me. The original owner says it wasn't for sale when I ask about it a month ago. I noticed this morning that its gone.

I would be willing to put money, time into the right car. I just had an uneasy feeling about the 98K '83.

Did I read somewhere the '85 TD had a different ear end ratio? Any other changes?

[Austin85]

FYI; I had trouble putting in a new sunroof seal, and got a tip to lube it lightly with dawn dishsoap liquid, and it went in easy as ....

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

Seller says he has replaced the rear axles due to the CV joints seizing.............

...........he had to remove the head when he dropped a valve during a recent valve stem seal replacement.............

..........the ALDA adjustment cap had been breached.

...........had a slight intermittant miss when warm. Very slight.

...........had a small spot of rust (blister)............

...........I could hear a whine from it when in park(?).

...........CC was intermittant (fan).

........... AC comp made a noise but it could have been a belt.

............Interior was a 6 out of 10.

............Sunroof didn't work.

This list is not from a vehicle with 98K on the odometer. I'm certain that the mileage is not accurate.

The asking price is way too high for a vehicle with this many faults. The only reason he is firm on the price is because some moron will pay it because of the "low mileage".

Don't let that moron be you.

[Whiskeydan]

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

This list is not from a vehicle with 98K on the odometer. I'm certain that the mileage is not accurate.

The asking price is way too high for a vehicle with this many faults. The only reason he is firm on the price is because some moron will pay it because of the "low mileage".

Don't let that moron be you.

Brian,
Thanks for putting me out of my misery.
He spoke of all the work HE had done to it himself and yet I witnessed his difficulty putting the fusebox cover back on. Made me wonder about the head R&R.
Nothing against the seller as I am not the nimble finger, observant mechanic I once was either. But, I suspect he had fixed a broken odometer in the past.

Back to my SD resto project.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

Brian,
Thanks for putting me out of my misery.
He spoke of all the work HE had done to it himself and yet I witnessed his difficulty putting the fusebox cover back on. Made me wonder about the head R&R.
Nothing against the seller as I am not the nimble finger, observant mechanic I once was either. But, I suspect he had fixed a broken odometer in the past.

Back to my SD resto project.

I've learned the hard way on purchasing a vehicle with "low mileage" on the odometer. This SDL has absorbed another $4K for repairs (including some electives such as Euros and an Alpine head unit and some painted wheels) in the last 18 months. It also had "103,000" on the clock.

If it walks like a duck and smells like a duck...........run away fast.