95 GST question

[Spilph]

Hello! I've been looking to pick up a 2g DSM for a while, asked a few questions a couple weeks ago and that deal ended up not being worth it but I found another in the area. I found a 95 GST, the body is in decent condition, upgraded 16G turbo, interior looks great. The guy said about a week after an oil change he started the car when it was about -10, went inside for a while, came out and it had lost some oil pressure and had a slight knock, he turned it off and has left it parked ever since. There's no battery but he said he'd get one soon and let me hear it so I can get a better idea of whats going on with it, I just wanted to get some input on possible causes and fixes as well as what it might end up costing. Any input would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[Toni Eclipse]

He didn't put in the oil that meets the requirements for cold weather. It was a cold start, the oil had no time to warm up so the valve lifters were dry, thats where the knocking sound came from imo. He probably got scared and shut it off before the oil started circulating well. This is the best scenario. Since you're dealing with someone thats trying to sell the car he might be lying and the engine could have a serious damage, so be extremely careful and bring a mechanic to check the car before you buy it.

 

[Spilph]

That's kind of what I was hoping it would end up being, he's been selling it for a while and I ended up getting him to say he'd take $800. I'm not sure if he thinks the engine is just done so he needs to get what he can for it or if he just doesn't know and wants it gone. Any big indicators when listening to it that I should watch for before deciding to take it or not?

 

[Toni Eclipse]

If its a light knocking sound which gets quiet after a min or two than it should be what we talked about, if its different than that it can be a lot of reasons.. As I said, bring a decent mechanic with you and let him check it. 800bucks is really nothing, I paid 5000€ for my 96 gst which was in terrible condition but then again I live in Croatia where this is the only GST.. anyhow, if you buy that car be ready to put some money in it to get it to a good running condition. Even if there is the knocking sound is what we talked about, you still need to refresh the engine with all the new fluids, new timing belt and everything that goes with it etc. So in a sec you'll go up from 800 to 1800, not to mention that you probably need to change the tires and ofcourse check if the car needs any refreshing of the drivetrain/suspension since it has been sitting there. So if you're serious about it, be ready to spend 2000 bucks on the car after you buy it.

 

[rough]

For 800$ that's a steal, you can part it and make twice that! You end up getting it?

 

[Spilph]

I haven't yet, he pulled the battery so he couldn't start it, he said he'd get it in today so he could start it for me tonight. So as far as best case scenario it seems if I get lucky it's a steal and no real fix at all other than basic maintenence to get everything in proper order. As far as worst case scenario, it's been a long time since I've looked much into any DSM, what would a new engine or decent rebuild run?

 

[Toni Eclipse]

you don't need a new engine, a decent rebuild would be around 2k imo (work included). I'd say it like this, if you have 3000 bucks get it, if you don't have that either don't get it, or get it and start rebuilding what you can with your money and when you have more money finish it. Do not buy it and keep driving it in bad condition cause you will kill it.

 

[Spilph]

I can get the work done for free, just wanting to know what a good rebuild would cost as far as parts go, I found a few kits but would rather get a good idea from experienced people who would know the best replacement for everything. I do own a truck so until I knew it was healthy it wouldn't be driven at all. I have most of the winter to get what I need and I've been looking for a project so I have a few thousand extra for that purpose. Thanks for all the replies and advice!

 

[synthetek]

Like Toni eclipse said be prepared to put about $2000 into in it, If its a rod knock it going to cost you around that much.

 

[bryanwheat]

Like Toni eclipse said be prepared to put about $2000 into in it, If its a rod knock it going to cost you around that much.

If you are paying someone else to do the assembly than of coarse, but you can do it for far less if you do the work yourself.

 

[Toni Eclipse]

Great then, I believe you got yourself a project car

 

[Pwaltz414]

Ask the guy if he changed the oil since the last time he started it (which I doubt he did) and check the oil for metal shavings

 

[synthetek]

If you are paying someone else to do the assembly than of coarse, but you can do it for far less if you do the work yourself.

I am not talking about just fixing the engine , you starting taking apart a 20 year old car and if your going to do it right there are going to be a lot of things that should be replaced , if you cant test drive it the trans could be bad. I am just saying be prepared to spend some money on maintenance even if you do the work yourself. If ends up being a simple fix and the rest of the car is good shape than that's great but I wouldn't get my hopes up that your going to buy a car for $800 and just spend a few hundred to fix some things.

 

[NismoDSM]

Like Toni eclipse said be prepared to put about $2000 into in it, If its a rod knock it going to cost you around that much.

you can find running engines pretty easy for about 400-700

 

[synthetek]

you can find running engines pretty easy for about 400-700

Did you not read my post above? I am not just talking about the engine. Yes you can find a used and engine and throw it in but if your going to do it right you should change the timing belt , water pump , oil, spark plugs , plug wires, thermostat, fluids , just that stuff there turns your $400 engine into $800+ Then there's still other maintenance ,the trans could need service, brakes, hoses, every old dsm I have picked up had a bad CV or 2 , these little things add up.

 

[06legacygt]

I've never purchased a dsm that didn't need some maintenance and repairs done. These cars are getting alot of age on them and a lot of people ignore parts they don't see.

 

[Spilph]

I understand the extras that would need replaced, even if somebody says it was done I don't always trust it or know of it was done right. I figured if I can pick something up around $1000 it would be ready to drive after another 1-2000 so I'm prepared for that part of it.

 

[dsm199994]

Sounds like a steal if the shell is clean I'd just get the car and take your time putting it together. Do it right and and you only have to do it once. I got my gst for a thousand with a shattreed pressure plate and pieces of bellhop sing blown througg my j pipe and radiator thermostat housing. Which there was 400 dollars more on top of what I had already budgeted for. But the moral of the story is I picked up my car cheap took my time and have been having fun for the last 6 months with no problems

 

[T11GGZ]

To remove the water pump, timing belt,pulleys and tensioner is there any specialty tools Ill be needing ? If so what are they same question for installation I could use all the help I can get.

if theres a post already made about this can sumone provide a link? Thank you