So I went ahead and bought the auto-transmission L series as per this thread. Just drove it home, started looking it over, and noticed this:

 

 

As always, the heater core has been bypassed, probably due to leakage (no problem), however the bypass hose has a great big KINK in it. You can see it in the picture. Is this bad?? If I recall correctly, you need the coolant to be flowing freely through an un-kinked bypass hose so the cooling system can do its job...correct?

 

I'm not sure how long the previous owner has been driving it like this....is it likely to have inflicted much damage?

 

Haha holy crap. Just when you think you've seen it all. Wow. I guess if the car doesn't run hot then it's probably fine as the water pump is still pumping coolant through the motor and radiator.

It's gonna warm up quickly for sure.......

 

The heater core is the bypass before the T-stat opens......

 

I would just unkink it.....should be fine....looks like a clean car.

So the cooling system should have still been able to work and not destroy the engine even with the kink?