Here's the deal. I have the opportunity to buy a 97 OBW with 157k on it. I went to look at it today and visually it is a nice car, but it has been sitting for three years. The HG's went and the owner did'nt want to pay for the repair so she let the car sit. When I opened the car door the smell of wet dog hit me like a ton of bricks. It is the limited edition with the full leather package, so I'm wondering if I will be able to get the smell. I also want your opinions as to what other issues I may run into besides the HG's. She wants 800 for the car and I want to know what you all think of a car that has been sitting for this long.

 

Thanks for any input.

 

Mike

obviously besides the headgaskets.....i would def. thoroughly check out the transmission/center diff clutch packs......and the wheel bearings......than again at that mileage and sitting that long it might also need some of the "tune up" items.....so i would say if your looking for a good project pick her up.......the price is def. right.....

Pass it by, getting the dog smell out will most likely require you to replace the interior, carpet, seats....

 

$300 tops

Definitely flush the entire brake system after checking and relubing all of the calipers and pads. I'd be surprised if the rotors all didn't require turning or replacement. You may need calipers as well if any show signs of sticking. As far as the dog smell is concerned, I've had good success with Meguiar's Car Odor Eliminator in the clear yellow pump spray. Follow the directions and you'll be very surprised. It totally removed the cigarette smoke smell from a sports car I purchased years ago. Good Luck!

800 for a OBW with a blown HG is high. If the smell is that bad you may never be able to get it out. Sounds like this is a 300 parts car.

To be honest, the dog smell is going to be the deal breaker. I'm very inclined to buy this one as a parts car and not a fixer. When I spoke with my mechanic last night he brought up many of the same points and said that I'd be putting alot of money on the car. He even mentioned the fuel system and the fact that it will most likely need a new tank and pump and possibly new injectors. I'll float the parts car offer to her and see where it goes. I also have to keep in mine that the car is two hours away and I will have to tow it home with my friends truck. I'm seeing alot of work with this one.

 

Thanks for all of the input, it is helping me to make an informed decision.

 

Mike

Junk yards are giving $400 for subes, offer her that.

the dog smell would be the deal breaker for me as well. maybe it's amplified by being shut up and unused for so long, but who's to tell. foul pet odors typically do not go away.

 

i will say your mechanic is not even close by suggesting the tank, pump, and injectors will probably need to be replaced. i highly doubt that. the sitting for 3 years part wouldn't scare me that much.

The last time I did a sub that sat for several years the pump was all fouled due to the gas varhishing over time and the tank was rusted so bad I couldn't get the car to run for more than a few minutes bafore the pickup clogged. I do agree the the dog smell is the deal breaker though. Such a shame as the leather interior is beautiful.

 

Time to send her an offer and see what she decides.

The cleaning pros use a biocide to remove oders and that may work. I would see if spaying the interior down with something like that will work before purchasing it.

I have to wonder why it smells like that in the first place? Does the car have a sunroof? The drains may be clogged and leaking rain water into the interior.

No sunroof, just a dog that really stank in the rain yesterday. Must have spent alot of time in that car.