Saved the car from being scrapped. My daughters first car. New mann oil filter and new shell helix ultra 5w-40w. The car was neglected due to leaking power steering, standing outside over two years. I have changed the belts, tensioner and water pump etc . car is running well but worried about lack of oil change. What do you do when you buy a car with no service history? Justin
no service history, what would you do? vw polo 98
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I usually pop the valve cover to get a better idea of what i am dealing with, providing its not a major PITA.
Check the brakes and e brake cables, flush the brake and change the tranny fluid and coolant.
G12 in this one only! Don't use G05 or green. You can get it a AA for $15 1.5 ltr full strength, 2 bottles and distilled water with change it with some left over.
I usually do the plugs, wires, air filter and check the electric fan (high and low) and air pump operation on older VW/Audi cars.
Check the cat converter with a mallet, if it rattles its done, also common on this vintage VW.
Check the brakes and e brake cables, flush the brake and change the tranny fluid and coolant.
G12 in this one only! Don't use G05 or green. You can get it a AA for $15 1.5 ltr full strength, 2 bottles and distilled water with change it with some left over.
I usually do the plugs, wires, air filter and check the electric fan (high and low) and air pump operation on older VW/Audi cars.
Check the cat converter with a mallet, if it rattles its done, also common on this vintage VW.
As other mantioned before me,plus i advise you strongly to change flexible brake hoses and rear wheel brake cylinders.Hoses could burst in worst situation and cylinder will start to leak.
I would replace all fluids, spark plugs, wires, belts, filters. Check brakes, hoses, wires, tires. Lube everything that requires it. Then just monitor while driving. Hopefully thesuspension is ok. U can always do another oil change after a 1000 miles or so to flush out whatever was in there
The time to worry about oil services is before you buy, not after.
So, at this point, all you can do is drive it and see how it works out.
Hopefully you don't have much money in it.
So just be ready to sell or trade if the car becomes a money pit.
If it drives out okay over the next 30-45 days, I would then look at the other recommendations in this thread to make your ownership in the future more enjoyable.
So, at this point, all you can do is drive it and see how it works out.
Hopefully you don't have much money in it.
So just be ready to sell or trade if the car becomes a money pit.
If it drives out okay over the next 30-45 days, I would then look at the other recommendations in this thread to make your ownership in the future more enjoyable.
Thanks for your ideas and help.
The biggest cost of car ownership is depreciation (new car) This VW was $180, so I don't mind spending money $360 and time on it. Okay it is a gamble, my daughter is a student so has a low budget for the car. Hopefully the mile costs will be cheap. Buying second hand the owner knows more about the car than the buyer. In this case he didn't bother fixing a leak in the power steering and was going to scrap it. Thanks Justin
The biggest cost of car ownership is depreciation (new car) This VW was $180, so I don't mind spending money $360 and time on it. Okay it is a gamble, my daughter is a student so has a low budget for the car. Hopefully the mile costs will be cheap. Buying second hand the owner knows more about the car than the buyer. In this case he didn't bother fixing a leak in the power steering and was going to scrap it. Thanks Justin
You can easily know if the engine was ignored when you remove the valve cover.
It isn't rare to see an older car that needs power steering repairs, but is in otherwise good shape. I frequently work with Nissan Maximas, and their engines and transmissions last for a long time, but when those cars are 12 years old, or older, sometimes they are worth so little, that the owner can't justify the expense of a new power steering rack and other suspension parts in need of replacement. A mechanic will often buy that car cheaply and drive it for many years, or quickly sell it for a nice profit.
If you really want to know if the engine was well-maintained or not, removing the valve cover usually helps. Having some varnish is okay, but beware of sludge or coke.
It isn't rare to see an older car that needs power steering repairs, but is in otherwise good shape. I frequently work with Nissan Maximas, and their engines and transmissions last for a long time, but when those cars are 12 years old, or older, sometimes they are worth so little, that the owner can't justify the expense of a new power steering rack and other suspension parts in need of replacement. A mechanic will often buy that car cheaply and drive it for many years, or quickly sell it for a nice profit.
If you really want to know if the engine was well-maintained or not, removing the valve cover usually helps. Having some varnish is okay, but beware of sludge or coke.
Originally Posted By: artificialist
You can easily know if the engine was ignored when you remove the valve cover.
It isn't rare to see an older car that needs power steering repairs, but is in otherwise good shape. I frequently work with Nissan Maximas, and their engines and transmissions last for a long time, but when those cars are 12 years old, or older, sometimes they are worth so little, that the owner can't justify the expense of a new power steering rack and other suspension parts in need of replacement. A mechanic will often buy that car cheaply and drive it for many years, or quickly sell it for a nice profit.
If you really want to know if the engine was well-maintained or not, removing the valve cover usually helps. Having some varnish is okay, but beware of sludge or coke.
Great idea about removing the valve cover. Hope the new oil and filter deal with any dirt in there.
You can easily know if the engine was ignored when you remove the valve cover.
It isn't rare to see an older car that needs power steering repairs, but is in otherwise good shape. I frequently work with Nissan Maximas, and their engines and transmissions last for a long time, but when those cars are 12 years old, or older, sometimes they are worth so little, that the owner can't justify the expense of a new power steering rack and other suspension parts in need of replacement. A mechanic will often buy that car cheaply and drive it for many years, or quickly sell it for a nice profit.
If you really want to know if the engine was well-maintained or not, removing the valve cover usually helps. Having some varnish is okay, but beware of sludge or coke.
Great idea about removing the valve cover. Hope the new oil and filter deal with any dirt in there.
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