Hi everybody,

As a brief information, I am an international student from Turkey, currently studying Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology in Brisbane.

A few weeks ago I've bought my friend's 1996 TE Magna with overheating problem. Every time I was searching for information about the car, the AMC forum came up as the top result. Thanks to Leigh now I am a member.

Anyway, the car has a lot of minor and a few major problems. I just wanted to introduce myself and get your suggestions about the car, prices, procedures, wreckers, etc...

1. Needs a radiator. Most probably the radiator fins are blocked. Back-flushing may solve the problem but I'm not sure so I will go with the worst scenario. On E bay, I saw a company in Victoria, selling brand new radiators for $160.

2. Needs an engine pipe assembly. Rusts in peace. Couldn't find prices.

3. Needs a battery. They haven't moved or even started the car for more than 4 months. I guess I can find new batteries around $100.

4. Rear left bearing. Don't have the price for this one too.

These are the things I'm sure about. The head gaskets are OK but the bottom of the engine is covered with oil. I don't know if there is a leak or anybody cared about keeping the car clean since 1996. The teacher whom I was checking the car with said power steering pump and the rocker cover gaskets needs to be changed. There is a creaking sound coming when steering left or right. I don't know the prices for these one's too but if they are not very expensive I can replace them. Unfortunately I'm on a very low budget so if it's gonna cost a lot, I have to find a way to clean the engine and check for the leaks to be sure about the problem.

Sorry about the long first post on the forum. I'll be looking forward for your suggestions even if you suggest me to bury the car..

Cheers

Hi, welcome to the forum
First things, is it a v6 or a 4cyl?
how many kms?
And a couple of questions: why do you think the power steering pump needs to be replaced? they are quite overpowered on this model and unless it is acting really strange, i wouldn't worry about it.

Is the creaking sound happening when moving or standing still? it could be the tie rods being floged out or they could need a bit of grease, another thing to look into would be the strut to bearings, jack the car up and shake the strut to inspect for excess movement in the strut.

For the rest: Engine pipe should be around 50 plus postage of these forums somewhere, you will find one from a wrecked v6 no worries, a 4cyl might be harder to come across

the over heating, i would check the thermostat and radiator if there is no leaking fluid, i would see a radiator specialist and see if they can give you a guarantee on there flush or not. Those radiators will be inferior quality, but will still last for a fair while anyway.

The rear wheel bearing will be around 150-300 dollars depending on where you get it from, need to buy the whole assembly so thats why its expensive
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MITSUBISHI-MAGNA-VERADA-91-05-Sedans-Rear-Wheel-Bearing-/360108225950?cmd=ViewItem&pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53d81f759e

get a 440 cca or something like that battery from supercheap, they are around 80 for an alright cheapy

the tappet cover seals are notorious for leaking so that is most likely where the oil is coming from (should only take about 40 dollars in parts and 2 hrs work at the very most), but i would also check into the cam and crank shaft seal if there is any sign of oil leaking on the ground from the drivers side.
.
what price did you pay for the car, because for about a minimum of 250 on repairs if you do the labor, you can have yourself a great reliable car. to replace everything, you are probably looking at around 450 in parts.

Join the QMD (queensland magna division) because they have working sessions on their cars and some of the more experienced boys get in and help the less experienced in the brisbane area.
http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66451

you've got yourself a good car there and with a bit of tlc she will be puring like a kitten again. Good luck

Thanks bellto

It's a manual 3.0 V6 and close to 250k. I've paid $300 for the car.
It was my teacher who suspected that the oil could be sprayed through the power steering pump. I cant really be sure before cleaning the engine first.
I can't just wash the oil or drive the car to somewhere because there is no rego or RWC. But I haven't seen any leaks on the ground. Not here nor the place where the car was lying down for 4 months.

mine has only leaked from a poorly fitted oil filter and really old rocker cover gaskets. both of which seem really easy to replace mate.

If it was me, I'd compile a list of all the things I needed and go along to a wrecker and ask how much for the lot.....should be no more than $400 max. None of the parts will be new, but then neither is the car you are planning on driving. You can move the car with a permit (about $30). Your description of the steering problem could indicate serious problems (rack,upper bearing,rackends or tierod ends or all of these) so I'd try an locate the source of the problem before spending cash. I'd be worried that the overheating is not caused by the radiator but a headgasket failure. If the engine starts and runs OK it may possibly be just the radiator at fault but I would not simply assume that the problem is the radiator.
I'm sorry for sounding so negative but you really have to be very careful when trying to resurrect an old car. Good Luck.

I drove the car from Gold Coast to Brisbane with a permit and as you said permit was $30 but the CTP insurance was $70.
When I was driving here, I tried to keep it under 2000 RPM. Most of the road the temperature was really high. When I made it to the city I stuck in the traffic but the temperature went back to normal as if there were no problems. Next day I asked for a teacher at the college to check this problem and he said it is the radiator. Also the ex-owner of the car has mentioned fixing the radiator a few times too.
The teacher didn't have enough time to check the steering problem and unfortunately I still don't have the skills to diagnose it alone yet.
I'm hoping that the problem with the steering is not that serious. I know its an old car and the owner didn't care about it but I really like it.
I will try to arrange a detailed inspection and then with the parts list I will see a wrecker.
Hopefully one day I can fix the car and make it to a cruise with the AMC

eBay is your friend I have gotten most of my part's over the years via ebay just make sure they have an excellent rating and have contact details before you purchase.

Good luck and enjoy your new magna te.

I drove the car from Gold Coast to Brisbane with a permit and as you said permit was $30 but the CTP insurance was $70.
When I was driving here, I tried to keep it under 2000 RPM. Most of the road the temperature was really high. When I made it to the city I stuck in the traffic but the temperature went back to normal as if there were no problems. Next day I asked for a teacher at the college to check this problem and he said it is the radiator. Also the ex-owner of the car has mentioned fixing the radiator a few times too.
The teacher didn't have enough time to check the steering problem and unfortunately I still don't have the skills to diagnose it alone yet.
I'm hoping that the problem with the steering is not that serious. I know its an old car and the owner didn't care about it but I really like it.
I will try to arrange a detailed inspection and then with the parts list I will see a wrecker.
Hopefully one day I can fix the car and make it to a cruise with the AMC

That doesn't sound too bad then - I hope it all goes well.

all i had to do was get my radiator serviced it was filled with gunk 80 percent blocked. cost under 150$ good as new