83 300D - Buying Advice? ...... Part 2
 

I had a second look at this 83 300d here on PEI - see previous post:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=30089

The car had been plugged in all night as it was -14C here. Glow plug light didn't come on. But motor started okay, minimal blow by, it ran a bit rough (when cold & warm) but this disappeared when rpms increased. There was no oil in air filter compartment - no coolant in oil - but coolant level was down.

The heater fan wouldn't work regardless of position of fan\auto heat. Car was a bit fun to drive as it was icy and the brakes were dragging & the gas pedal was real hard to press.

When I parked the car, I noticed coolant leaking from under the waterpump - maybe weep hole?. I couldn't locate the actual source of the leak. Also I seemed that when shut off there was a lot of pressure in the cooling system.

The car has been sitting for a year so I expect some problems, but am worried that some of the above (heater & cooling system pressure) may cost me big bucks!!

The car also comes with extra rims & used parts such as Ip, ps pump, starter, calipers.

What should I do?? Run the other way real fast or perhaps give the owner a low offer as the amount of MBs here are minimal?

All suggestions & advice are greatly appreciated!!!

Sorry for being so long winded,

Aivars

Looks like for starters your going to need a blower motor, new glow plugs, a water pump and maybe a few calipers. Unless its real cheap, i'd look for a better example.

You said there was a lot of pressure in the coolant system. How long did you run the car? We need that information to decide if the coolant pressure is normal. If it built up very rapidly, take off the cap on the coolant tank and look for a steady stream of bubbles. If so, probably a blown head gasket.

Also, the system may seem to hold a lot of pressure - when really its not so much pressure, but a larger than expected volume of air. So it makes a big whooossshhh but its not under all that much pressure. If you really are getting too high a coolant pressure, its a bad radiator cap.

The brake rotors will clean up with use. It probably needs glow plugs. All new fluids, etc.

It really sounds like its about a $US1500 car.

Ken300D

Thanks for the input! The owners were asking $4500 Can. - which is about $3000 US. I think I'm passing on this one!

Aivars