MrMeatLoaf

I'm considering purchasing a '92 jdm fd with 90,000km on it. Here in Canada once a car hits 15yrs old, it can be imported. The car I'm looking at is at a dealership that seems to specialize in importing cars.

I'm finding out this site is an awesome resource of info and I've learned a lot about the car over the last few days. But there doesn't seem to be much info on this model year, at least non that I can find.

I was just wondering if there was anything special I should be looking out for or be concerned with that may not appear in the faq thread?

rossc

A 92 JDM is equivalent to a 93 USDM.

Get a compression test done, by a source that you trust, and that preferably has a rotary compression tester. Don't let them take it to a place of their choice.

MrMeatLoaf

Exactly what I wanted to know, thanks.

Only problem with that is, the car is 3hrs away (in toronto). I don't know the area at all, so there is no where I can take it that I trust.

rossc

More important is that you don't take it to a dealer/mechanic who is "friends" with the dealer selling it. Fudging the numbers is just too easy, and since compression is such an important part of rotaries you want to make sure you have accurate results.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Not to mention, that an engine with bad coolant seals can still make decent compression. So I wouldn't buy one at market price unless it's been compression tested and the coolant seals checked out by a reputable rotary shop of *my* choosing. If not, I'd never pay more than the value of a roller with blown motor. Because from what I've read, many of these FDs imported into Canada have bad coolant seals and stuff.

Dave

dhays

iTrader: (1)

Another stupid question, but how does a mechanic check the coolant seals?

Hitokiri_Gensai

iTrader: (2)

well, i heard that coolant in the overflow tank is usually a sign of bad coolant seals. The compression of the engine pushes some combustion gases through the break in the seal and causes the coolant to flush out of the radiator into the overfill tank.

I know my seals were gone and if itd sit for a day or two when id start it itd burn white for a while.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

They start the engine and watch for the symptoms. It's much more subjective than compression, but still you can use the champagne bubble test, a cooling system pressure tester, combustion gas detector, etc.

All of these methods look for combustion gases pushing into the coolant.

Dave

MrMeatLoaf

Out of curiosity, what would the value of one of those be so I can get a rough idea.

I've been finding out info about the dealer and I can pretty much expect this.

poorboy

You should talk with a local rotary shop for more info, and definitely have them go through the car before purchase. Most of them by now, have seen JDM FD's for the last year or so. If you're in Vancouver, Staff's Auto, Forcefed, Eunos would be some of the shops (amongst others) to try. These shops will be quite helpful, but I think you will find that their experience with JDM FD's have been mixed, at best.