Hi guys,

I'm considering buying a Magna in Perth.

Someone I know has a 1999 Magna TH sedan, 3.0l V6. 188,000ks

He only wants a $1000 for it.

He has freely admited that cosmetically its great, but it is pissing oil out of front & rear seals. Also needs new rear brakes.

I've been looking for a cheap runabout for about $2500, so would it be worth buying this one, getting the engine re-built (or exchange engine)?

My theory is for $2500 I'm only going to get a mid 90's Magna with about 200,000k's, so I'd be better off buying this and getting the engine re-built that way I end up with a car that should last another 200,000k's?

What are you thoughts?

Thanks
Rob

honestly at 188,000 just replace the seals. It's likely just rocker covers which is about a $50 fix (including beer :P).

firstly , determine exactly what he means by front and rear seals. is it the crankshaft oil seals or just the rocker cover gaskets? the RC gaskets is a fairly easy and cheap fix .
degrease the engine and find the leak first.

in general , old cars are fine if you can do some repairs yourself. if you cant repair , look for a much later model and spend a lot more money.

that price is great if its only minor repairs.

welcone to the club
you need to check when the timing belt was last replaced as it normanly done ever 100.000 ks its not a cheap job

Unfortunately its definitely the crankshaft seals.

"leaking" crankshaft seals? More likely

(a) Rocker cover gaskets leaking and the oil dribbles downwards.
OR
(b) PCV system clogged, and pressure builds up in the crankcase, pushing oil out the seals.
OR
(c) Someone did a cam belt change recently, replaced the front seal and installed it incorrectly.


Easy fix.

The only big dollar item will be the rear main seal (back of engine where gearbox is) as the gearbox has to come out.
But at 188000 km's i would be surprised if that seal is leaking. More likely to be the rocker cover gaskets, dizzy o-ring and cam cap o-ring which are cheap diy fixes.
I believe it will be a good buy.
Now you need to check the auto transmission...........

Regards
epitrochoid

as above, rear main seals dont go that soon unless the car has been neglected. so you probably dont want it anyway. cranks shaft seal comes with the timing belt kit, so get someone to install a timing belt kit for you and your laughing,

Unfortunately its definitely the crankshaft seals.

I hope you realise some people misdiagnose a problem and make it seem worse that it really is in their own minds, as a (subconscious) excuse to get another car? lol

If it was local, and I needed a car, I'd definitely buy it at that price.

Thanks for your help guys. I ended up going with a 1994 2.6L that only had 75,000k's & logbook servicing.

well that a good buy 4,000k,s a year
any chance off some photo,s
i just picked up this car 89 with 56,000 k,s
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260952974240?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

well that a good buy 4,000k,s a year
any chance off some photo,s
i just picked up this car 89 with 56,000 k,s
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/260952974240?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

That's a good buy for $405 !!!! TP are nice cars, even though the carb model isn't too good on the fuel.
It's probably been unused for many years judging by the Km, you should change coolant, oils, brake fluid as soon as possible and hope there is no damage from it sitting around. Check vacuum and fuel hoses too.

Have a look at the jumble of vacuum hoses at the back of the engine - any splits there will make the car run like a dead dog. Replace any split hoses one at a time, so you don't get confused. Most manuals do not cover those connections accurately.

Some people are saying I shouldn't have bought an 94 Magna with an Astron engine as they are prone to the heads overheating & cracking etc.

Is there anything I can do to make sure the Head & Cooling system in this car last a long time? If there is an issue with the heads is there a mod that needs doing or just use good quality coolant?

Thanks

Good quality coolant, and make sure the thermo fans work and cut in correctly. Gauge temp should never rise above half way. Drive it gently from cold.

That's a good buy for $405 !!!! TP are nice cars, even though the carb model isn't too good on the fuel.
It's probably been unused for many years judging by the Km, you should change coolant, oils, brake fluid as soon as possible and hope there is no damage from it sitting around. Check vacuum and fuel hoses too.

Have a look at the jumble of vacuum hoses at the back of the engine - any splits there will make the car run like a dead dog. Replace any split hoses one at a time, so you don't get confused. Most manuals do not cover those connections accurately.
its an efi the add was wrong
i,ve owned a craby never agian its a granny,s car one owner change the oil coolent before i drove the 200k home
i,ve the owned 2.6 engines for 11 years and have not cracked a head as max siad good coolent works

No carb is a good thing, EFI rules, OK? lol

Astron head problems were pretty much sorted out my the time the second genners were made. Now the same engine in the Sigmas . . . . softening heads with no excuse like overheating, making head bolts pull into the alloy and blowing bubbles out the side of the engine between head and block, valve guides that moved, cracks - you name it! And then there were problems with cracking blocks and welsh plugs popping out, big end bolts that broke, nightmare stuff! (Yet I'm still a Mitsu fan, go figure! lol)

Thats good to hear.

The car has been dealer serviced its entire life with log books & I intend to do the same.