Going to check out a 2g need tips on what to check for !!!

[czech09]

Ok, I'm going to check out a 2g awd later today or tomorrow and need to know what I should check for when I'm there...I already know I should check for shaft play, and take a nice long ride in it...what else ? Thanks in advance...

P.S. How can I check for crank walk ?

 

[Daem0n]

There isn't a specific guideline of problems to look for on a DSM as opposed to any other car. Check the body for premature rust, check the rotors, and be sure to look under the hood when the car is off to check for any fluid leaks. Turn the ignition on then listen for any sounds. Don't be afraid to scrutinize and rub it in on the owner for every ding and dent in the car. It makes him feel bad and gives you leverage to lower the price.

How many miles are on the car? Some figures are thrown around here that crankwalk is over-rated and affects around 10% of the 2g's. And even then, it doesn't become a threat until it get's long in the tooth, around 80,000 miles +. You really can't check for crankwalk without pulling the engine and removing the crankshaft and checking for signs of shaft play. However, if the engine has developed 'the walk' and has been that way for some time, you can check for several sounds. Anything that doesn't sound right, you should bring up with the owner. If he doesn't give you a straight answer, walk away. You don't want to buy a gorgeous car and have it die on you on the ride back.

Good luck, and enjoy.

 

[czech09]

Thanks - it has 80xxx miles on it...so idk...what other stuff should I check for ?

 

[ckozlgod]

Well when he test drives it you may be able to tell if it's walked or walking right?. If clutch sticks to floor on (left?) turns then it could possibly be an indicator.


Just check anything that you may deem as important. When I goto buy a car I am VERY thorough. Don't feel like your taking too long or anything like that either.

Goodluck

 

[czech09]

thanks - don't worry I'll probably be taking like an hour to test drive it...it will probably annoy the owner but I really need to know how it performs - especially in the way I'll be driving it - highway, stop and go in the city etc.

Anyone else have anything to add that would be specific to check on for 2g dsms ?

 

[czech09]

This is what I was told to look for when I posted in a different forum about check out a 2g dsm:

Crankwalk and compression of the engine, the shape the tranny, transfer case (if AWD) and axles are in, cracks in the front strut towers, rust on the inner bottom edge of the trunk lid, condition of the turbo, play in the ball-joints and tie-rod ends, etc. There's a whole bunch of things one should check.


I kinda know how to check for crank walk (just check if the clutch sticks on left turns right ?)

The tranny is supposed to be freshly rebuilt - I guess just drive the car to figure that out

I am checking out an AWD so how would I check out the transfer case and axels - what exactly should I look for with those ?

the front strut towers are in the engine bay correct ?

rust on the inner bottom edge of the trunk lid - got that covered

and I know how to check the turbo for shaft play

how can I check for play in the ball joints and tie-rod ends ? Where exactly are these located?

Thanks in advance for help...if you have other points I should check out let me know...

 

[czech09]

anyone have an answer to the last one ? I found those tips on dsm talk but don't know how to check for some of the stuff...

 

[ckozlgod]

If there is a problem with the joints or tie-rods you will feel it when you drive. Those are minor problems that I wouldn't let get in the way if I found a pretty good 2G. Just take it to a local tire store and they can look at it for ya.

If I had a decent pick I can show ya where they are at...need a pic of a front with it's tire off though.

 

[czech09]

anyone have any other tips for me how could I check for cracks in the transfer case - the owner said he just completely rebuilt the tranny about 1k miles ago should I worry about that ? or trust him ?

 

[97spydagst]

Hey buddy im gonnna let u know somethign i got a 97 spyder gst off ebay with 145k miles on it they said it was a good car nice running contion jsut had a few problems anyways i drive it home 300 miles and the next day the motors gone it walked the hole clutch sticking down is a very good way to look for crankwalking mine did it and i thot maybe the clutch jsut need to be bleed(hahah i wish) but it didnt i need a new motor so jsut be very careful alot of ppl are out to get you and ask him if he will warrenty his trani work like for a month or 2 if anythign is going to happen to the trani i would be in 20k miles down

 

[czech09]

Hey buddy im gonnna let u know somethign i got a 97 spyder gst off ebay with 145k miles on it they said it was a good car nice running contion jsut had a few problems anyways i drive it home 300 miles and the next day the motors gone it walked the hole clutch sticking down is a very good way to look for crankwalking mine did it and i thot maybe the clutch jsut need to be bleed(hahah i wish) but it didnt i need a new motor so jsut be very careful alot of ppl are out to get you and ask him if he will warrenty his trani work like for a month or 2 if anythign is going to happen to the trani i would be in 20k miles down

ok cool - that's good to know that the clutch sticking actually happens to almost everyone who has experienced cw...a 97 with 145kmiles holy shit I would never buy that...and btw why would you buy a car off of ebay ? (did you @ least have a chance to check it out before you paid ?) thanks for the help

 

[97spydagst]

ok cool - that's good to know that the clutch sticking actually happens to almost everyone who has experienced cw...a 97 with 145kmiles holy shit I would never buy that...and btw why would you buy a car off of ebay ? (did you @ least have a chance to check it out before you paid ?) thanks for the help

Nope couldnt it was about 1500 miles away but i paid 4,500 for it id say after the new engine paint job and the little things it had wrong with it i will be in the 7,000 so i dunno it books at 9,000 so im still up anyways i really hope u buy a dsm i havnt had much luck with mine but when i had it gosh did i love driving that badboy cant wait to get it running!

 

[czech09]

Nope couldnt it was about 1500 miles away but i paid 4,500 for it id say after the new engine paint job and the little things it had wrong with it i will be in the 7,000 so i dunno it books at 9,000 so im still up anyways i really hope u buy a dsm i havnt had much luck with mine but when i had it gosh did i love driving that badboy cant wait to get it running!

True thanks for your help...

 

[dave99gst]

verify the check engine light comes on when you turn the key on.
and it goes off after a few sec's.
If it NEVER comes on -- he may have pulled the bulb out to hide a CEL

 

[czech09]

verify the check engine light comes on when you turn the key on.
and it goes off after a few sec's.
If it NEVER comes on -- he may have pulled the bulb out to hide a CEL

ok that's very helpful thank you.

 

[czech09]

anything other than the stuff mentioned above ?

 

[ckozlgod]

I think all that is more than enough...goodluck

 

[blMuskrat]

anyone have any other tips for me how could I check for cracks in the transfer case - the owner said he just completely rebuilt the tranny about 1k miles ago should I worry about that ? or trust him ?

Ask for recipts. If he did it himself, ask for parts recipts.

 

[czech09]

Ya I think this is enough as well, and if you guys have any more tips, feel free to post them but thanks for all of the tips you've provided so far. Thanks again.