Enjoi577
Proven Member
- 78
- 0
- Jan 15, 2014
-
Peoria,
Illinois
Hi guys, very new to this site and forums in general (just found maybe a week or two ago), but am motivated by the responsiveness and willingness/eager to help newbs
. This is probably going to be a rather long post, so read at your own will!
Iv done as much research as I can on what to look for when buying a used GSX, but I have a few questions.
I'm buying a 1998 GSX with 95,XXX miles. Owner says it hasn't been beat on (after several conversations/questions, I believe him), and I'm going to check out the car for the first time tomorrow. This is my first car, my first big project, my first anything really.
I don't know anything about cars besides changing the oil, spark plugs, and audio, but I have a crazy obsession with working on cars. I'm trying to find someone in my area that would agree to do work on my car and show me how and what hes doing so that I can learn without fear of taking my car apart on my own and having it not start because I cant put it back together again. All in all, I WANT this to be a learning experience for me, I WANT to baby this car like its made of gold. I want to learn everything about this car, I plan on having this car for a long time, so I want to start with the very basics and general tuning and work my way up. I'm prepared for a long run.
Timing belt has been replaced within the last 10,000 miles, so that's good. No colored exhaust coming out upon startup and rev-up, so that's good as well. What else am I missing that's just totally obvious to everyone besides me?
Here's my questions and either I'm totally missing big pieces of info, or haven't done enough research:
1. Does anyone know of a video showing how to take off some pipe (a part to the turbo so I can check for shaft-play, just cant think of the name of it) to check to the turbo? Iv seen diagrams and everything, but no videos and that something Id like to be able to check before purchase.
2. Should I be specifically checking around the suspension for rust? Are there covers I need to take off?
3. Cracked, old, leaking, gaskets- What do these looks like and where are they? Do I need to remove the valve cover to get to these?
4. Is it worth it to buy/build a compression tester and test the cylinders BEFORE I buy, or is something I'm going to want to deal with a little later on regardless? (I plan on buying within two days of this post- 1/17)
5. What is this lifter tick I hear about? Is this something that could be detrimental later on?
So, this is what I know to look for:
1. Shift through all gears -make sure it will reverse!
2. Check ground for leaks
3. Look for exhaust color
4. Check oil for color
5. Pay attention to gauge for boost leak (is this possible without a test?)
6. Pay attention to gauge to see if over boost is apparent
7. Check for rust
8. Check for cracks on engine/exhaust (how long are they on the exhaust?)
9. Check for crank walk (turn wheel all the way to the left and shift? problems=crankwalk, no problems= A ok?)
10. Make sure car handles well at high RPM, no side to side obvious shaking
11. Report back to everyone on DSMTuners that took the time to help!!
ANY and ALL links will be read entirely, like I said I think I did my research, I read through the most of the stickies in DSM FAQ, the entire VFAQ, DSM maintenance article and stage 1 upgrade path (and free upgrades), and tons of articles/posts on many different sites. **Id like videos explaining any/everything, if anyone knows of some**
Will report back once car is(if) purchased. Thank you so much for reading this long ass post!!!
. This is probably going to be a rather long post, so read at your own will!Iv done as much research as I can on what to look for when buying a used GSX, but I have a few questions.
I'm buying a 1998 GSX with 95,XXX miles. Owner says it hasn't been beat on (after several conversations/questions, I believe him), and I'm going to check out the car for the first time tomorrow. This is my first car, my first big project, my first anything really.
I don't know anything about cars besides changing the oil, spark plugs, and audio, but I have a crazy obsession with working on cars. I'm trying to find someone in my area that would agree to do work on my car and show me how and what hes doing so that I can learn without fear of taking my car apart on my own and having it not start because I cant put it back together again. All in all, I WANT this to be a learning experience for me, I WANT to baby this car like its made of gold. I want to learn everything about this car, I plan on having this car for a long time, so I want to start with the very basics and general tuning and work my way up. I'm prepared for a long run.
Timing belt has been replaced within the last 10,000 miles, so that's good. No colored exhaust coming out upon startup and rev-up, so that's good as well. What else am I missing that's just totally obvious to everyone besides me?
Here's my questions and either I'm totally missing big pieces of info, or haven't done enough research:
1. Does anyone know of a video showing how to take off some pipe (a part to the turbo so I can check for shaft-play, just cant think of the name of it) to check to the turbo? Iv seen diagrams and everything, but no videos and that something Id like to be able to check before purchase.
2. Should I be specifically checking around the suspension for rust? Are there covers I need to take off?
3. Cracked, old, leaking, gaskets- What do these looks like and where are they? Do I need to remove the valve cover to get to these?
4. Is it worth it to buy/build a compression tester and test the cylinders BEFORE I buy, or is something I'm going to want to deal with a little later on regardless? (I plan on buying within two days of this post- 1/17)
5. What is this lifter tick I hear about? Is this something that could be detrimental later on?
So, this is what I know to look for:
1. Shift through all gears -make sure it will reverse!
2. Check ground for leaks
3. Look for exhaust color
4. Check oil for color
5. Pay attention to gauge for boost leak (is this possible without a test?)
6. Pay attention to gauge to see if over boost is apparent
7. Check for rust
8. Check for cracks on engine/exhaust (how long are they on the exhaust?)
9. Check for crank walk (turn wheel all the way to the left and shift? problems=crankwalk, no problems= A ok?)
10. Make sure car handles well at high RPM, no side to side obvious shaking
11. Report back to everyone on DSMTuners that took the time to help!!
ANY and ALL links will be read entirely, like I said I think I did my research, I read through the most of the stickies in DSM FAQ, the entire VFAQ, DSM maintenance article and stage 1 upgrade path (and free upgrades), and tons of articles/posts on many different sites. **Id like videos explaining any/everything, if anyone knows of some**
Will report back once car is(if) purchased. Thank you so much for reading this long ass post!!!
