Syncro mechanic to advise on new purchase

[stocker]

I am looking for a Syncro mechanic to view a new purchase this coming Saturday (1st March) in Ebbsfleet. Obviously I will pay a fee, there are a few bits and pieces needed doing on the van and it would be good to get an informed decision on whether I am making the right purchase and to warn me if there is anything really seriously wrong, or whether it is safe to buy.

many thanks!

[KarlT]

Mate, Its good to get second opinions but syncros are 30 years old. What works fine today, can break next week.
Look for usual rust area, jacking points, seams, lower front panel, door steps, rear arches. If these are good, the rest of it will/should be pretty good.
Check electrical circuits, everything work?
Make sure all 4x4 system is there, check cv's/boots, look at tyre wear.
Take it for a drive, get it warm, listen for noises, feel gear changes.
On loose gravel, try engaging diff-locks, do a tight turning circle, listen for noises, tyre scrubbing, there will be some but does it want to fight it, stall engine.
After that little lot, You will have a pretty damn good idea of what you're buying.
Good luck.

[ermie571]

A MONEY PIT!

That will swallow all your spare cash (and you non-spare cash)

but will deliver

many many many smiles per off-road mile!!

My syncro is battered, bruised, has a leaky cab roof....spent more on tyres than I beleived was possible in a single purchase.

But all diff locks work. The VC seems to be doing its job at the moment, it runs well on LPG and has just killed its engine...

Oh well...second hand 2.1 purchased....its only money...and I am really starting to like baked beans.....

Good luck mate!

Do as Karl suggested

Emxx

[stocker]

Thanks for the advice!

[ermie571]

Stocker...have no idea where you are....but you are welcome to come down and gaze, poke and prod my syncro for comparison purposes. Happy to talk you round the work done since purchase and what it cost...We aren't that far from ebsfleet on the isle of Sheppey....within the hour in a car!!

Good luck with the viewing on Saturday

Em
xx

[HarryMann]

Bit confusing maybe there Karl... don't want doing tight turns on gravel with locks on and not expecting scrub. Scrub will be massive...
Best not to confuse about VC and just always budget for a new one. It's just such a very very grey area testing them... so many end up thinking they're failed tight when just fine. Also can be very diffetent hot & cold.
Personally only would trust fully a Dorfbrunnen refurb... not even a new Steyr one these days.

[KarlT]

Ahhh true, sorry poorly written, yes knock-off diff-locks (they won't work anyway!!!) first.