Donnie
12-13-2008, 12:19 AM
For starters, hello all. This is obviously my first post here, so please. Take it easy on me.
Now, for the main topic of discussion.
My friend has a 1988 N/A Supra, Five Speed W58, Targa Top. The car has somewhere around 160k on the Odometer, and 5k on a mildly rebuilt engine -Rings, Bearings. Gaskets.- (work done by a friend, and former Co-worker at the Toy/Scion dealer). Although I have a fair amount of Technical exp, with Toyota and other Brands, but absolutely none with older Toyota's. And anything else, with the exception of GM products. I figure due to this, and the soon to be mentioned reasons, I should ask around for opinions, and the like.
The MKIII in question, recently started having issues. Namely, it initially "died" shortly after changing ownership from my friend, the Tech, to another friend. For simplicity's sake, to be referred to as "A" and "B", Respectively.
B stated that while cruising, at roughly 45mph, the Supra was performing fine. Going from 45mph, to a downshift and light application of the brakes (for a stop sign/right hand turn) the vehicle "backfired". B continued his deceleration, at which point "The brake pedal got extremely soft, going all the way to the floor, with nearly no braking. Then, when released and re-applied, became 'rock hard'." Shortly thereafter, the car "lost all power, and 'died'."
After stopping, B said he found the power steering cap, "blown" to the other side of the engine bay, near the fuse block. There was no charge in the battery, and it was later confirmed that the battery had died, and there was a blown coolant hose. Both of which were replaced.
according to B, the car ran fine after replacement of the battery and Hose, braking operation perfect, although no P/S.
"A", before moving back home, several states away, said he had no idea why/what happened. And indeed, it made no sense. Especially mentioning the care that was shown to the Supra while in A's possession. Not to mention, his skills with Toyota's.
B Contacts me today, and asks if I want the Supra. I make an offer for trade, that from my standpoint, would be 100% profit for me, if a deal was made. B says it is acceptable, so I head to his place, to check out the Supra.
Upon B's attempt to start it, it becomes apparent that the car has been sitting for quite some time. 3" of snow on it, and no power from the new battery, what-so-ever. No lights, no cranking, no nothing.
I pop the hood, and test the battery with a Multimeter. Results: Completely dead. I continue to poke around. The Battery does indeed appear to be in new condition. There is evidence of P/S fluid around the Engine Bay. Upon inspection of the Oil Dipstick, it shows to be bone dry (which caused a sigh of relief from me, at it not being started). By hand, the engine still turns, so it does not appear to of been seized. Looking at the oil-pan, and frame, there appears to be large amounts of some sort of fluid. It was 17* out, and dark. And the car is lowered, so I did not check what this fluid was, nor did I look into it any further.
(Added info: B has absolutely no knowledge of cars, nor had he performed any maintenance on the Supra.)
What I am wondering, is if anyone has any suggestions of things to look into? And from what you have heard, does this sound like anything in particular to anyone? Should I bother getting it off of him? I would research into it further myself, if not for the lack of information at my disposal. (The only Supra Manuals to be found at work, are for 2j Supras.)
Thanks in advance.
-Donnie.
P.S. Body & Interior in near pristine condition.
Several months ago:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn19/donnie8919/sat1/tehsecks-2.jpg
Now, for the main topic of discussion.
My friend has a 1988 N/A Supra, Five Speed W58, Targa Top. The car has somewhere around 160k on the Odometer, and 5k on a mildly rebuilt engine -Rings, Bearings. Gaskets.- (work done by a friend, and former Co-worker at the Toy/Scion dealer). Although I have a fair amount of Technical exp, with Toyota and other Brands, but absolutely none with older Toyota's. And anything else, with the exception of GM products. I figure due to this, and the soon to be mentioned reasons, I should ask around for opinions, and the like.
The MKIII in question, recently started having issues. Namely, it initially "died" shortly after changing ownership from my friend, the Tech, to another friend. For simplicity's sake, to be referred to as "A" and "B", Respectively.
B stated that while cruising, at roughly 45mph, the Supra was performing fine. Going from 45mph, to a downshift and light application of the brakes (for a stop sign/right hand turn) the vehicle "backfired". B continued his deceleration, at which point "The brake pedal got extremely soft, going all the way to the floor, with nearly no braking. Then, when released and re-applied, became 'rock hard'." Shortly thereafter, the car "lost all power, and 'died'."
After stopping, B said he found the power steering cap, "blown" to the other side of the engine bay, near the fuse block. There was no charge in the battery, and it was later confirmed that the battery had died, and there was a blown coolant hose. Both of which were replaced.
according to B, the car ran fine after replacement of the battery and Hose, braking operation perfect, although no P/S.
"A", before moving back home, several states away, said he had no idea why/what happened. And indeed, it made no sense. Especially mentioning the care that was shown to the Supra while in A's possession. Not to mention, his skills with Toyota's.
B Contacts me today, and asks if I want the Supra. I make an offer for trade, that from my standpoint, would be 100% profit for me, if a deal was made. B says it is acceptable, so I head to his place, to check out the Supra.
Upon B's attempt to start it, it becomes apparent that the car has been sitting for quite some time. 3" of snow on it, and no power from the new battery, what-so-ever. No lights, no cranking, no nothing.
I pop the hood, and test the battery with a Multimeter. Results: Completely dead. I continue to poke around. The Battery does indeed appear to be in new condition. There is evidence of P/S fluid around the Engine Bay. Upon inspection of the Oil Dipstick, it shows to be bone dry (which caused a sigh of relief from me, at it not being started). By hand, the engine still turns, so it does not appear to of been seized. Looking at the oil-pan, and frame, there appears to be large amounts of some sort of fluid. It was 17* out, and dark. And the car is lowered, so I did not check what this fluid was, nor did I look into it any further.
(Added info: B has absolutely no knowledge of cars, nor had he performed any maintenance on the Supra.)
What I am wondering, is if anyone has any suggestions of things to look into? And from what you have heard, does this sound like anything in particular to anyone? Should I bother getting it off of him? I would research into it further myself, if not for the lack of information at my disposal. (The only Supra Manuals to be found at work, are for 2j Supras.)
Thanks in advance.
-Donnie.
P.S. Body & Interior in near pristine condition.
Several months ago:
http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn19/donnie8919/sat1/tehsecks-2.jpg