A friend of mine just flew to LA to pick up a 240D (early 80's) and ran into some major trouble I suspect. Can anyone make sense of the following data and offer some diagnostic help?

1. The temperature gauge and oil pressure gauge were not working when he started it up and headed for home (MI).
2. His daughter was chilly, so she tried the heat and that worked.
3. Within a mile or two the car stalled, restarted and stalled again
4. Battery would no longer crank sufficiently, so he called a tow truck
5. Tow truck didn't have enough power to jump it.
6. Towed him to a parts place where he noticed that the oil dip-stick was an inch too high, changed oil and filter and bought new battery.
7. Car started and drove another 2 miles or so where it stalled again at an entrance to the expressway.
8. The car will no longer crank very well. It has a very low umph when trying to crank yet the battery is new

Upon calling the seller, they are having a mechanic look at it, but I'd appreciate any wisdom you guys could offer. Do you think the engine is seized? He said that he never smelled anything hot.

Thanks

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed