Urgent advice needed

Surprisingly a 94 Roadmaster estate wood delete in dark adriatic blie, suddenly is offered for sale
Tomorrow I already have an appointment
Ansmall.list of things to do but owner has replecent oarts with it
So far so good, but he mentioned motor aounds as if it is running on 7 cylinders......!!!!! Alarm!!
Any advice on how to ta kle.this as non educated hobbyist mechanic?
Can I check a spark, or check compression? What to do before I strand in a pile of problems?
Looking forward to your replies!!

If you like it, and it's not rusty, and the interior is in good shape... just buy it. We can help you get it running on 8. Most likely: plug wire shorting out. But most of us have dealt with it all. If you can, look at the engine, running, in a dark garage. Have a close look down around the plugs, you may get lucky and see arcing. You can do it by feel, but be warned, it hurts when you find the bad wire, lol.

hello Jayoldschool,

thanks for the tip!

I will try to have a look at your suggestion indeed today

I can only hope it is something simple, let's see.

Will keep you posted!

Agreed.

One day my wagon was running on 7 cylinders and this was the cause...

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Wire opened up like a bannana and was arcing on the exhaust pipe.

Thank you for your answer.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is the car in question;

I have visited the seller and did walk away from the car…unfortunately…

There was some bodywork, but I know a painter who is perfect, so that was fine.

Interior was great, but smelly; I have a friend with an inoisator, could do the job…

But… the motor would not start, the coolant reservoir was almost empty and the coolant was rusty water.

So I am afraid it was sitting outside the house for 2-3 years and maybe the frost got the water in the block?

Well what can I say? The block had to be pulled out and not only serviced but needs a full revision. That wil be way too expensive looking at the rest of the list with all the small bits to do.

I already have a shortroof 95 Caprice Classic, so that will have to do for the moment.

And today I almost risked my 17 year marriage

It was only € 3.000,- Pity, but worth to look.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] is the immaculate car that I would like to be able to buy, but price went from 15K to 22K and now after 1+ year and 3 traders they start coming down again… Who knows?

What would it cost to buy a car in the US (South) for $4-5K USD and ship it to the Netherlands?

Hi Fred,
I already did that.
We are being punished overhere;
inland transport; $ 500,-
sea transport; $ 2.000,-
10% import duties
25% anti Trump import duties
21% VAT
and another tax on CO2
the last one can be like $ 50K on a $ 50K car like CTS with 6 cyliders
completely crazy
soon we will be like Cuba, tying to keep alive on what is still available
silly environmental politicians!

That really sucks. Especially the 25% anti Trump import duties. The CO2 tax is another one. I thought it was bad here, but that is truly absurd. The Netherlands does not even make cars to compete for taxation differences. Now I am beginning to understand the pricing difference on American cars. A car bought used here for $3,000USD can end up costing $20,000-50,000 USD maybe more by the time you have it on the road there, and shipping is the least of the expenses. It would be nice if a US soldier had one to sell there, or could import it for you. What if it is a gift? Can you find out what the CO2 tax is before you commit to a car?

We are fighting for our economic system here. The radicals want socialism, and it is the bane of the people. Politicians are idiots.

Hello Fred,
Fortunately there is an age discount, calculated over 15 years.
So after 3 years one pays 3/15th less CO2 tax.
But until 10 years old it is about the same as the value of the car.
I saw a beautiful Buick Lacrosse in Germany for +/- € 20K
But CO2 tax was € 24K
Hmm, something wrong here...
We still have politicians that beleive hybrids are made of ....moss?
I imported a 95 Caprice Classic sedan in light gold, base 4,2L V8 200 horse
Has 80K miles on the clock, purchased it from the daughter and son in law of a 80+ gentleman somewhere in Delaware.
I purchased it for $ 3.000,- and paid the same amount for transport and taxes
Stupid? Yes, but I cannot find such a low milage / high quality car overhere
Sometimes one has to do something silly
My wife and friends don;t like it
Good! Nobody wants to loan it, so it is all mine! haha!
Let them talk, but guys get silent if I show them the back fenders have the most beautiful female shape ever made on an automobile; I always rub it! haha!
No one has that much fun!
Love your red Olds lady by the way!
Seems you are still going strong and naughty at 71? ENJOY!

The worst would be replacing the engine, but it cant be that much especially if you have mechanic skills.
It has rusty water, which means the coolant was not changed or it leaked out and owner kept filling it up with water.

sdowney717 wrote:

The worst would be replacing the engine, but it cant be that much especially if you have mechanic skills.
It has rusty water, which means the coolant was not changed or it leaked out and owner kept filling it up with water.

The OP lives in the Netherlands. Getting an engine is almost as bad as buying an American car.

Fred Kiehl wrote:

sdowney717 wrote:

The worst would be replacing the engine, but it cant be that much especially if you have mechanic skills.
It has rusty water, which means the coolant was not changed or it leaked out and owner kept filling it up with water.

The OP lives in the Netherlands. Getting an engine is almost as bad as buying an American car.

Yes, and most likely the seller needs to fix the motor if he even wants to sell it.
If it has not frozen and cracked it is likely a relatively easy fix even over there.