84RX7'nSTi

I am looking to buy a '85 GSL-SE, here are some observations:
the oil cooler is leaking, the voltage gauge moves when the turn signals engage, there is a slight whine from the tranny area, the radio speakers pop whenever you touch the ****, radio has no reception, low idle 200 rpm steady, steering feels loose, pulse through the brake pedal, A/C does not blow cold, and the rear window wiper does not work.

Other items: interior is faded and shows 20 years of wear, exterior paint is faded, needs tires and there is a minimal amount of rust.

What are your opinions on my observations?

Mike

jayroc

Sounds like a car with problems and will require a lot of effort to make right.
It also sounds like you can get a good deal on a car, soon. heh

Kingbob

The oil cooler is MAJOR, although common. Get those cracks welded up or switch to a FC oil cooler.
Everything else except maybe the idle is minor stuff. Fix the cooler and the idle and now and then you can take your time fixing the rest of the problems

84RX7'nSTi

The oil cooler is not dumping oil, but there is a collection of dry and damp oil on the undertray. Would you have any suggestions as to what the problem with the idle might be?

Mike

nick1

yeah doesn't sound bad at all actually. as long as structurally it is fine. pull the storage bins behind the seats, and check for rust. tht is where it first starts to deteriorate

how much is the guy asking? from the top of my head, sounds like maybe a 1000 dollar car

84RX7'nSTi

I looked under the car completely. The only rust i saw underneath was on the exhaust and on one rear suspension component. Can you see the bottom of the storage bins from underneath? If that is the case, they look good. The body is clean with only two very minor dings. There are some rust spots around the edges of the rear window gutter area. There are some minor paint chips that have rust in them as well. There is also some rust on the battery tray and around that area.

Your a couple hundred short.

Mike

mR.dnA

iTrader: (1)

As others have said, it's common with these. If there's a lot of residue on the driver's side of the cooler itself, the cooler's probably leaking. If not, and there's just oil in that general area, it might just be a hose. Bottom line is you'll have to get under there and look for the source.

Could be a number of things - low battery, weak alternator, bad ground, etc.

When? Clutch in/out? In gear, out of gear? Might just be a dry throwout and/or pilot bearing.

Normal for old electronics - oxidation on the contacts. Turn the ***** a buncha times maybe spray some tronic-clean in there, too.

Could just be a bad connection to the antenna? Or if you're in Thousand Oaks maybe only 93.1 comes in out there? Heh.

Could be lots of things, nothing major if you're lucky! I wouldn't call it a dealbreaker if the engine seems to run okay otherwise. (Heck, I wouldn't call it a dealbreaker even if it needed a motor!)

Common - steering box and/or some suspension pieces worn out. Parts can be replaced, box can probably be adjusted. Search - there are threads and write ups floating around.

Warped rotors. Might even just be crap on 'em from sitting.

From sitting. Might just need to recharge it, might need some seals. Worst case would be a bad compressor and/or leaking hoses.

Could be bad switch, bad motor, or wiring. It's California, though - I wouldn't worry TOO much about this.

As others said, check the bins behind the seats (although in CA it's not likely they're rusty.) Also check around the rear hatch glass - there are 2 drains there at the bottom of that opening that if clogged can leave water in that area, or if the hoses come off, you'll get rust in that back area near the lights/spare tire. If you're just talking surface rust, you should be OK, especially if it's always been a California car (which it sounds like from your description of the underbody.)

I think if you've got the patience to deal with all this stuff, sounds like a keeper!

Pics! Pics!

trochoid

iTrader: (6)

Pulling the bins to check for rust is a must. Often there is little or no exterior rust visible, only because it hasn't eaten all the way through yet.

84RX7'nSTi

Wow, thanks for the response!

The clutch was out, while it is whining?

The rust that I saw was only surface rust. Nothing too serious.

93.1

I do have the patience, this will be a work in progress.

My '84 is just about perfect. Though it has a new dent courtesy of someones carelessness in a parking lot.

I will post pics of both!

Mike

84RX7'nSTi

I will check it out! It is a California car, so hopefully it is not too bad?

Mike

mR.dnA

iTrader: (1)

So it's making the noise when in neutral, foot off the pedal? Could be a bad input shaft bearing in the trans (or perhaps just be low oil level.) If it is the input shaft bearing, you should be able to drive it for some time before replacement, if you can deal with the noise.

If it's making the noise only when you press the clutch pedal down, then it's probably just the throwout bearing.

As for the dent - THAT SUCKS! You'd think people out here would be more mindful but they're not. Must be because they're all driving leased cars

84RX7'nSTi

No, my bad. The transmission is making noise while driving. It is not too loud but definately noticable. So, I'm not sure if this will have to be addressed very soon?

Everything is supposed to happen this weekend. So I should be able to get it on the rack for a couple hours on Saturday. Drain/refill all fluids and start taking some things apart and inspecting them.

Yes, the dent sucks! Most likely an SUV because of the height of the dent. Their door completely missed the "rub" strip on my door. So, I have a nice foot long gouge in the driver door, right below the door handle. I love it!

Mike