I found a 86 190 16V for sale and going to check the car out.

Owner claims the car does not want idle very well under 1000 rpm and has run this way every since he has owned it (about 15K miles). The car has 116K miles and supposedly the previous owner had a valve job done by a SoCal Performance shop.

Owner claims the car has easily passed CA SMOG tests several times and I will review the records when I see the car.

I plan to do a compression test to check for bad valves and rings but not sure what is considered reasonable for this car? Recommendations? Anything else I should look for?

Regards,
Scott

The compression check will reveal whether the problem is mechanical or not. If the compression numbers are good and even the problem then is fuel or ignition related, I imagine.

A running difficulty should reduce the price significantly. If it has good compression I would not be too reluctant to buy it for a discounted price.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.