What to look for - and how to check??

Level 4 User Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 81

Ok people, it looks like im off to look at my new R19 16v tomorro, being a newbie to R19 ownership, i was just wondering weather any of you guys could give me any tips on what to look out for, when looking over the car, ie gearbox, head gasket etc and quick checks to make sure everything is good. My girlfriends dad is probably coming with me, and between us we have a pretty good knowledge of cars, but any more suggestions would be very welcome.

PS. just in case it makes any difference it a phase 1 hatch...

Cheers
Jim

Level 7 User Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 243

Rust! Most obvious place round the rear arches, open the boot and check in the corners by the rear lights, round the bonnet vent, front lip of the bonnet. Check the sun roof goes all the way back. Open the bonnet and have a quick nosey and makesure both top mount aint cracked.

Forum Moderator Joined: 18 Feb 2004 Posts: 7432

yep, rust is the main thing.

Arches are obvious to see, but what you can't see is what's under the skirts, the sills go at the rear. You can get an idea by feeling/looking under the car just in front of the rear wheels to see round the back of the skirts.

Usual stuff. Oil in the water, water in the oil etc etc

Go get it Wink

Retroholic Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Posts: 3315

take a bag of tools and check everything over fully

get the sills off if the seller moans whats he hiding..? take it down the road and give it some beans check all gears work as they should, also at the same time check for slipping clutch, check for oil in the water, dont worry about the bottle as it stains anyway, and also check when the cambelt was last done, the listen for knock or rattles from the engine, basically chek everything as it as a sports car that people mistreat and neglect it will have faults but hopefully not to many to not lok past and see the bigger picture

FCS Event Manager Joined: 04 Jan 2005 Posts: 3680

check all the electrics work, rear wash/wiper. rear fog lights, boot lock etc etc

Make sure you get the car started and warmed up, check the exhaust smoke, is it throwing out large amounts of white exhaust (possible head gasket issue) or large amounts of black smoke
Once its warmed up gently take the rpm up to around 4500 rpm, can you hear any deep knocking noises, if yes its prolly the big ends on thier way out.

Check for mayo on the oil filler cap, look for oil in the expansion tank, look for any extra switches/wires that dont look as if they belong and ask about them if they are there.

Pull the carpet out of the boot and check the floor, is there a big hole in it or a flap, if so it means someone has replaced the fuel pump at some time by cutting a hole in the floor instead of dropping the fuel tank.

if you get a test drive of the car, check for play in the steering, if there is too much play its a steering column change out, any noises from the suspension when you go over bumps, does she rev freely or feel sluggish, whats the clutch movement like? is it a stiff change or a smooth change, a stiff change could indicate the clutch cable is worn.
When driving it, boot it at least once, do the rpm shoot right up but the car does not respond so well, that will be the clutch slipping.
Make sure the speedo works and other instruments work properly

I know its a lot to check but could save you a lot of time in the future having to replace / fix things on it

Level 4 User Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 81

One more question, for when i finally find a 16v..

Where should the oil pressure gauge ideally sit, i ask because with my last R19, the engine seized without warning(ran out of oil) but the oil gauge seened fine.

Cheers lads

Site Subscriber Joined: 11 Feb 2005 Posts: 2929

check the oil level in by using the dipstick. if its ok then it will be fine.

your pressure should be quite high when you initialy start to drive but once it has warmed up the sensor can give the impression of low oil pressure. this is infact because the oil thins when warmed up so dont worry.