what to look for in a TJ
my friend is looking at a TJ, she is leaning towards an Auto sports or VRX
she currently has a 03 Lancer, and after driving my magna she fell in love with it, a week later she wants to buy a magna now, is there anything she should be looking out for in terms of common issues with a TJ? she will go full mechanical check, but anything in particular? thanx

The rear window seal can deteriorate causing the rear window to squeak.

Apart from that, anything else should be picked up in a mechanical inspection.

Im sure somebody else here my be able to add more to this list however.

-Check the power windows are working properly. Slow movement and/or groaning noises means it's on the way out.

-Check the seal at the bottom of the windscreen where the wipers are, they seem prone to pealing up.

-Check the PCV valve, due to them being mounted sidways in our cars, they can be prone to getting clogged (although not much an issue, for cheap/easy to clean/replace).

-Check for rust around boot seals

-Handbrake can be a temperamentional, check that it works properly (often just needs the cable tightened).

Off the top of my head, sorry If I've missed something. Other than these known issues just do the usual basic mechanical checks (e.g CVs, fluids, crash damage etc).

wind whistling through the windows.
window rattling if you close the door with the window down.
to name a couple

thanks guys, ill tell her what to look out for

also if she doesnt want a manual, show her a KJ or 2 (depending on budget etc), the Ei or Xi could easily sway her after seeing the others :)

window rattling if you close the door with the window down.


For sure.

If the window does not rattle when the window is down, chances are you are not looking at a TJ, or even a 3rd Gen Magna. They all do it. See Bootlid for appropriate Make/Model information.

Dont let her test drive anything nicer or she will want that too :badgrin:

Ollie

I'm surprised no one has said full service history.....

Fuel sender. If is over 50-60,000kms and hasn't been replaced, it will crap out soon. $100ish to replace yourself. or if you're lazy like me, get a series 2 and use the trip computer instead :D

Rear windshield seals are prone to leaking. easy check, take it over something that will "twist" the chassis ie. one of those large, wide speed bumps at an angle so it twists the car. you can hear the seal creaking if its faulty or on the way out. Also, apparently, the drivers seats bolts sometimes work loose. Apart from that all the niggles with the TJ and TJ11 are pretty minor and easily fixed as far as I'm aware, more annoying than life threating. And there are a few niggles, PM me if you want a list, as I've kept a list of problems and solutions I've had with mine.

Rear window seals.- Actually a garnish, the seal is the special glue between the glass and the body.

On the TJ there are 2 different problems.

Paint peeling - bit obvious really.

Rear window squeak - worse on a cooler day.
I suspect that the original glass was too big, glass is changed and a new self coloured, different section, is then fitted.

If the garnish has a very noticeable channel all the way round it is the later type.
Gerry.

Another problem.

Go to start the engine. It starts then immediately stalls.

Cause is that the battery is on the way out.

A TJ by now should have had a replacement battery fitted.


Auto.
Make sure that the transmission fluid is nice and clean.
If when driving the gear changes are clunky, go and look at another car.

Suspension.
Most cars will be in the 80,000 Kms region.
1) Get the shock absorbers checked.
Original shocks were a bit on the soft side to start with and by this time are really on the way out.

2) Pattering knocking noise from the front suspension, usually on the LHS, on slightly rough road surfaces say in the 40 to 60 Km/H region.

Cause - at the top and bottom of the front springs there is a section of black plastic spiral wrap areound the first 1- 2 turns of the spring.

When this is worn through the first coils patter against each other.

This can be fixed on the car.
Gerry

Gerry.