"Viggen" (viggen37)
08/10/2014 at 15:05 • Filed to: None
0
4|
"Viggen" (viggen37)
08/10/2014 at 15:05 • Filed to: None | 0
| 4 |
Thinking about picking up a '99 for a winter beater and road trip car. Anyone here have one? I know about the head gaskets, but what else is there to look out for?
desertdog5051
> Viggen
08/10/2014 at 16:00 |
|
I have a 98. Never had a problem with the head gaskets. Had to replace cam oil seals once. Never really leaked much, though. The biggest thing, to me, is to replace the tensioners on the cam drive belts when you do a service for that at about 100k. I paid a shop to replace the belts and they said the tensioner pulleys were OK. 10k later one went and cost me an engine. Otherwise, great car. Just replaced the steering rack yesterday and sway bar links 2 days ago. Thanks to a great YT video the rack went very smoothly.
NWAForester
> Viggen
08/10/2014 at 18:19 |
|
Head Gaskets are no big deal, it just leaks a little coolant out to the atmosphere, keep you coolant topped off, and its gravy. Wheel bearings are the other weak point, but its a few hours labor to do it yourself. I spent more time trying to not have to cut the lateral link bolt, than it took me to just cut it and go buy a new one, lol.
When doing the timing belt, a new tensioner is a must. But check your torque on that bolt too, mine sheared off a year later, all be it in a -22f blizzard with over two feet of snow on the ground, and trashed the heads. That happened on a friday, that saturday it hit 72f.....90 degree temp swing!! I cleared my driveway sat, and was on the motorcycle on sunday, with still a foot of snow on the ground!!!
But I digress..... Headgaskets and wheel bearings are the only major typical repairs, everything else is pretty much gravy.
|
Viggen
> desertdog5051
08/10/2014 at 21:08 |
|
Just called the owner, he's had the car for about two months. Previous owner didn't say mention anything to him about the head gaskets or tensioners. Not sure where to go from here. I'd still like to get the car.
|
desertdog5051
> Viggen
08/11/2014 at 00:13 |
|
I would look at it based on mileage. Over 100K, do belts and tensioners just to be safe. Head gaskets, dunno, I had excellent luck with them. If previous owners can't tell you if it has been done, it probably has not. BTW mine now is approaching 200k miles Good luck.