Car sits for 6 mo after head gasket blown is it OK?

[kert]

I'm looking at buying a GS-T that is for sale with a blown head gasket. The owner says that the car has been sitting for roughly 6mo since the gasket blew. If there is coolant in the oil when I go look at this, would the engine still be ok? I'm somewhat worried that the coolant in the oil would start to cause corrosion in the bearings, so it would need a lot more work than just replacing the head gasket, timing belt ect. The car is a 95 with only 87K on it.

 

[dsmpat95]

depending on how much the car is, it should be ok, the only way to know, is to replace the head gasket and have the head checked, and the replace the timing belt. still this car should be cheap., and for corrison, it may need a couple of oil changes in shorter intervals, thats what i would do

 

[Superbeast406]

The materials bearings are made of generally don't rust that easy, but it depends on how long and how bad the head gasket was blown before they stopped driving it. I would be more worried about the cylinder walls and rings. I've seen cars with blown head gaskets sit and have no problems with bearings, but then the water sitting in the cylinders killed the ring seal.

 

[kert]

So, it sounds like I really don't know what I'm getting into until the head is off and I can have a look at the cylinders?

I know it really depends on area, but what would be a decent price to buy this? It has 87k manual trans, and the body/interior is in great shape.

 

[dsmpat95]

$2000 or less. some may say more.

 

[bitter friction]

Yeah, I agree with DSMPat. $2000 or less...

Just tell him that since the car has been sitting with a bad headgasket for a while that there's a good chance that it needs a new engine. And just offer him something around $1500 if he seems like the guy that just wants to get rid of it.

If he seems like he knows how much it's worth than $2000 would still be a good deal for you, especially since it has good mileage...

Let us know how it goes.