Question on a 98 for sale

[SPORTEXP]

My brother located a nice 98 sport model but the hitch is it cranks but no start. The current owner says he took it to a mechanic and they say it's a timing chain issue. Any suggestions on weather it's worth 600$ ?
My experiance is only on the first generation models.

Thanks Don

 

[joker1457]

Which engine is it? If its the 4.0 SOHC good buy but around 1500.00 for timing chains there 4 on the SOHC. if its the OHV 4.0 I think theres only two or one lot less money. I say good buy if your willing to spend a little money

 

[rileyrs]

if you can do the work yourself, then ya great buy.
but you could spend around 2 grand fixing the timing chains on the sohc, and then you have a car that may or may not have more problems that you didnt know about before.

 

[SPORTEXP]

Thanks for the reply

I believe it's the overhead cam 4.0. It's not the overhead valve. But if an overhead valve can be put into it I got two of them laying around here.

 

[SPORTEXP]

if you can do the work yourself, then ya great buy.
but you could spend around 2 grand fixing the timing chains on the sohc, and then you have a car that may or may not have more problems that you didnt know about before.

I see what you mean, I just got through a search on the subject and found the fix. Looks like about 300$ if you fix it yourself and your 2 grand for someone else to do the job. But I guess the next question wold be if the valves are ok or would the piston bend them if the chain broke?

 

[rileyrs]

not sure on that one, need to find someone who knows the internals of the sohc well to find details like that out.

can anyone here comment on this?

 

[renegadepig]

It may or may not have caused damage depending on which tensioner gave way andhow theengine was being runatthat particular time. Also, the 4.0 ohv will not swap into the shoc, body wiring to the computer is different. Dave

 

[SPORTEXP]

Thanks for all the input, he sounds like he wants to go for it.

 

[jremington59]

I sure wouldn't do it.

Not only do you not know that you may be putting another motor in it, but what if the tranny, front end or other things have problems?

Why didn't the owner fix it and make a better buck instead of selling it this way?

From my past experience I would tell you to stay away from it or at the least make the guy put in writing there are no other major issues. I bet he won't.

 

[marragtop]

NEVER trust what a seller says when they say 'the mechanic said....'. Walk away from it unless you are willing to put an engine in it. And, how's the trans, which you don't know since it's not running??

 

[SPORTEXP]

We took the risk and drug it home. He's working on pulling the motor this weekend. He already located another motor at the junk yard for 400 bucks, but I was thinking that it would also suffer from the same demise if the timing chains haven't been gone through as well. So I think we'll try working with what we have. It is a well kept and clean car, still looking at the bright side.

 

[SPORTEXP]

NEVER trust what a seller says when they say 'the mechanic said....'. Walk away from it unless you are willing to put an engine in it. And, how's the trans, which you don't know since it's not running??

Should we take bets on the tranny :biggthump

 

[svt4cam]

Yep, After just finishing putting in a trans in a 2000 I bought for my daughter from one of those "honest" sellers I can't understand where your concern comes from. lol

 

[SPORTEXP]

Just reviving an old tread, and saying IT'S ALIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I went through the motor. Pulled the heads to assess the damage and seen that the valves tapped the tops of the pistons on the left bank. Had one questionable exhaust valve. All the others held air pressure just fine. This one leaked. Tonight was the maiden voyage, and she drove well. Other issues involve front passenger sway bar bracket stripped out, and mild heater core leakage (found a bunch of paper towels stuffed behind the glove box ha ha)