Looking to buy a 1g but it has a strange problem. Advice please!

[DSMphantom]

I'm looking at a 94 Turbo Talon on eBay. It looks very clean with only 82k miles. The problem is, the seller says the engine only has 300 miles on it and it has a loud knock. I know lifter tick is common on DSM's but with low miles I've counted that out. The only thing I can think of is an oil leak that drained most of the oil out of the car but I'd assume the owner would have noticed that OR it had a faulty engine rebuild. He claims the boost was set at 13psi. The price right now is just above $1,700 and it has 2 hours left on the auction. Please help, I need to make a quick descision! Thanks. -Steve

Here's a description of the engine

"Engine was rebuilt bored .20 over with j&e forged pistons with eagle forged rods, balence shafts removed NEW big 16g turbo port and polished,Dave Brode upper intercooler pipe,2G TB elbow, 2G exaust manifold(ported) o2 houseing(ported) manual boost controler,k&n filter, greddy turbo timer, Autometer phantom boost and air ratio gauges. high flow cat with 2.5 piping and a magnflow muffler, Act 2600 clutch, fidanza light weight flywheel."

 

[millhouse]

Its possible for the oil pump to be installed 360 degrees out of time. This will cause all kinds of problems with vibration and noise. On a more dire note, it could be bearings missing or destroyed or it could be a collapsed lifter.

 

[fwdturbobov1996]

If they didnt balance anything something could be slapping..

 

[DSMphantom]

are any of these problems very costly to repair? the car itself is IMMACULATE so if i get it for around $2000 it would be worth spending $1000 to fix it.

 

[project_tsi]

Its possible for the oil pump to be installed 360 degrees out of time. This will cause all kinds of problems with vibration and noise. On a more dire note, it could be bearings missing or destroyed or it could be a collapsed lifter.

If the oil pump were 360 degrees out of time, then it would be in time. I think you mean 180 degrees. But either way, the oil pump would still pump, and the Balance shaft would still turn, it would couse vibration, alot of it, but it shouldn't sound like rod knock because of it.

 

[DSMphantom]

a little update... the guy said the engine knocks at all RPM ranges but it is worse at 2-4k RPMs... and only less than 10 minutes left on the auction. I need to make a quick decision

 

[DSMphantom]

no more help needed... i purchased the car at $2,025. wish me luck!

 

[project_tsi]

Good luck. Its a DSM, your gonna need it.

 

[Defiant]

I'm looking at a 94 Turbo Talon on eBay. It looks very clean with only 82k miles. The problem is, the seller says the engine only has 300 miles on it and it has a loud knock.

Spun rear balance shaft bearing. They're turning at twice the crank RPM, and the rear one feeds the plain bearings through an internal oil galley. I have a theory that when you get that thing spinning at 14K, the oil inside it can't supply the bearing well enough to prevent scuffing. Once damaged, hard stuff doesn't heal, it just gets worse.
Only consider this car if you're not daunted by the prospect of some major engine work.

 

[92awddsm]

Well, everone said balance shafts and that is kind of hard for me to believe considering that they have been removed.

My guess is either a loose flywheel or rod bearing problem.

 

[baf32]

Be weary, make sure you have written proof of what is in the engine. I was told the same story, about a built motor with low miles. When a rod bearings spun and I was forced to disassemble everything I found out the bad news. Half of the supposedly upgraded engine parts were no where to be found.