buying a 2.4

[JsyQball]

Hi there - newbie alert!


I'm about to buy a surf (got 2 in mind). One is a 2.4 1992 SSRX from a garage and i've checked all standard things. Looks quite tidy but problem is they've cleaned the engine bay so it's hard to look for the problems that i've read about. There seems to be a far amount of oil/grunk covering the bottom end of the engine - would this be anything to worry about (i couldn't see any liquids dripping when running it for 10 mins or so). Anything else i should look out for?
The other is a 3.0 1992 SSRG. I prefer this one as it's better spec-ed and i know that the 3.0 is easier to live with (no problem with the head cracking). Again, any tips or info you guys can let me know to look out for?

Cheers for any help

Qball

[stormforce]

Hi there - newbie alert!


I'm about to buy a surf (got 2 in mind). One is a 2.4 1992 SSRX from a garage and i've checked all standard things. Looks quite tidy but problem is they've cleaned the engine bay so it's hard to look for the problems that i've read about. There seems to be a far amount of oil/grunk covering the bottom end of the engine - would this be anything to worry about (i couldn't see any liquids dripping when running it for 10 mins or so). Anything else i should look out for?
The other is a 3.0 1992 SSRG. I prefer this one as it's better spec-ed and i know that the 3.0 is easier to live with (no problem with the head cracking). Again, any tips or info you guys can let me know to look out for?

Cheers for any help

Qball

if you can afford it go for the 3l or have a look in the surf for sale threads there are some good and reasonably priced ones there too

Welcome to surfdom

[Sancho]

yeah, go for the 3.0 if you can afford one. Read this thread too:

http://www.hiluxsurf.co.uk/forums/sh...ad.php?t=22581

[JsyQball]

It seems the second Surf is a 2.4 and not a 3.0 as stated. Although it has had a lot of things done to it - the radiator upgrade when it was imported (1995) and new exhaust and tyres just being a few things.

I'll probably end up going for this although i've noticed a squeak coming from sounds like the crankshaft. Is this normal or something to be worried about?


-Q

[Sancho]

Well, if it's a kind of chirpy squeak it could be the crankshaft pulley. Especially if it dies down when you give it a few revs. Mine went and it cracked the head. It's sort of normal but definitely not good.

I don't know what sort of prices you're talking but you'd normally be looking at about 2,000-2,500 for a decent 2.4 and 3,500 for a decent 3.0 of that era. Maybe a little less if you're lucky.

There are normally some decent ones on here.

[JsyQball]

It's a 1992, 2.4 SSRG, dark blue with wide arch kit. Done 133587Km and seems decent. The seller wants 2900 for it - a few scratches but no dents or noticable rust.


Good deal?

-Q

[JsyQball]

Squeak seems to be coming from directly under the middle of that car - not from the engine bay.

[andrewlee31]

i'd definatly be looking for a 3.0l and in burgundy too, its a damm sight faster than any other colour..

[Pauleds]

Have either of the heads on these 2 vehicles been replaced with modified ones?
That is a consideration too.
Get some sort of decent warranty if buying from a garage too.Gives a bit of peace of mind.

[JsyQball]

Would the head need to have been modified even if the radiator/overheating problem was sorted when it first arrived?
I'd prefer a 3.0 but it's being imported into Jersey and we have to pay registration duty based on engine size (yeah, i know! sucks big ones) so it's a fee of 500 for the 2.4 and 1000 for 3.0.
So it's probably worth going for a 2.4 if i can find one without any of these 'head' probelms


-Q

[Panrixx]

Would the head need to have been modified even if the radiator/overheating problem was sorted when it first arrived?
I'd prefer a 3.0 but it's being imported into Jersey and we have to pay registration duty based on engine size (yeah, i know! sucks big ones) so it's a fee of 500 for the 2.4 and 1000 for 3.0.
So it's probably worth going for a 2.4 if i can find one without any of these 'head' probelms


-Q

If you go for a 2.4 and do get a head problem the cost of fixing it would be a lot more than the £500 you saved in duty, probably double that and a bit.

Personally, I would want to know that the head work had already been done (i.e. changed). If not, I'd go for the extra expense of the 3.0L and not have to be checking the temp gauge every 5 mins.

[MattF]

Firstly, getting a 3.0L isn't a guarantee that you won't suffer head problems. Some
of them do go. Secondly, whether you get a 2.4 or a 3.0, servicing the cooling
system will probably prevent a lot of potential problems, including the head
cracking. Personally, I don't worry about mine anymore. No idea if it's ever been
replaced, and nor do I really care. At the end of the day, it's repairable. Also, the
fact that the vehicle has already done 180K kms+ isn't exactly wimpy if it's still the
original head. Simply put, go for whichever you like, service the cooling system
completely straight away, and then worry about other things if or when they
happen.

[The Lovely Boyo]

So it's probably worth going for a 2.4 if i can find one without any of these 'head' probelms

Yes - I had the head done on mine 110,000kms (3years) ago and no trouble since.

I should have had the 3.0 because I tow and lug a lot of stuff about.

2.4 should be OK - how many miles can you do in Jersey anyway?

[Sancho]

I hadn't thought of that. If you break down, just get out and walk back home.

[stormforce]

there's not enough road over there to even get the engine warmed up is there