97 SR5 4wd 78K...should I get it?

[sirach38]

Hi All!

I need advice regarding a used 4runner that a local BMW dealer has for sale. I've never owned a truck before much less an SUV. I have a 96 honda civic hatch which i bought brand new and has been very reliable and I'll be keeping it.

The SUV's exterior paint is red and looks shiny and newly polished. The cloth seats look clean as well as the engine compartment. All the doors have the same VIN number. The undersides looked good. No real traces of extreme or rough driving. I checked out the VIN history and two things came out, a rental fleet history and it was subject to auction. It was first purchased in late 96 and used for a 18 months and 26K and ended up in auction in 98. It wasn't sold until a year later (+3k miles) and the previous owner traded it in for a BMW recently after using it for 3 years.

There is no history of odometer tampering or salvage titling. The only other item of note is I hear a constant and faint squeeking sound inside the hood, in the front of the engine. The squeaking sound is constant and does not change even if I rev the engine. Even at idle, it sounds the same. Could it be a water pump? I don't know much about cars but I've read in the forum that you need to replace it every 60K. Is that the same with the timing belt. I asked the salesperson if she could get info from the previous owner regarding service history and she says she won't be able to. She also said that the scheduled belt change is 90K.

I already have a verbal agreement to get the car for $11250 from it's sticker price of $11950. I'll be picking the car up tomorrow. I drove the car around it was fine. It felt quite responsive and the ride was pretty comfortable. The power steering was fine.

Let me know if this is a good deal. I've always wanted to own one and this might be the one.

Thanks!

 

[dancojgl]

The insurance company just totalled my '96 SR5 4Runner with 79,000 miles for a "fair market price" of $11,215. (Needed $8000 in repair due to getting rear-ended.)

So, sounds like you're getting a fair (not great, but not bad) deal, assuming the squeek you mention isn't anything major...

 

[hamster_13]

My '98 has a squeak like that, it's probably the same problem. If you find out what it is let me know please.

 

[clin9383]

usually people change out the water pump and the timing belt at the same time.. i dont believe either one is covered in the 90k mile "tune up".

 

[sirach38]

I'm taking the car to a mechanic tomorrow. If it's a minor issue, water pump, belt, etc., I'm buying the car. Anything more, I'll ask the mechanic. The dealer provides a 30-day warranty for "lubricated" components like the engine and transmission.

I also furnished them a copy of the NHSTA recall report regarding the 96-98 recall. Did any of you get the job done? The notice was sent Feb, 2002. I hope I can still avail of the service.

Thanks!

 

[sirach38]

hamster_13,

I took it to the mechanic and he said it could be 2 things, the waterpump or the tensioner bolt. I brought it back to the dealer and asked them to fix the squeaking sound. They did fix it by replacing all three of the engine belts. The dealer also said that they will schedule the truck for service to comply with the recall.

Today, I brought home my "new" 97 SR5. So far, it drives really well. Tomorrow, I'm heading north to Chicago to meet with some friends.

clin9383....thanks for the info...the local toyota dealer will charge $220 for a timing belt replacement. That seems reasonable. I may schedule it on my 90K service.

BTW, any opinion on synthetic oil vs regular oil. I'm thinking of converting to Mobile 1.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[khaug]

One other thing you should check: 3rd gen 4Runners are prone to have the rear axle grease seals fail as mileage approaches the 70K mark. This allows the differential lube to pass by the seals and contaminate the rear brakes. For a quick check, look at the inside of the rear wheels for lube that's leaked and spattered. Repairs are fairly expensive and some people have complained of the failure reoccuring soon after it's repaired.

The rear suspension recall involved relocating the bump stops inside the coil springs. New parts include the new bump stops and new coil springs. Early 3rd gen 4Runners had very little rear suspension travel. The recall fixes this.

Our '98 4Runner had only Mobil One lubricants during the five years I had it, including engine, ATF and gear lube. It was mechanically like new when we traded it in at 75K miles, including 25K miles of towing a 4,000# trailer. I'm a big fan of Mobil One products and Toyota. Our '98 needed only one oxygen sensor during this time, which I changed myself for ~$100. It was otherwise completely reliable.

 

[sirach38]

Thanks for the additional info Karl!

For a quick check, look at the inside of the rear wheels for lube that's leaked and spattered.

I'm guessing that you I will need to remove both wheels and check the drum brakes? I'm not used to the mechanical lingo yet and I'll be surfing this site a lot to learn as much as I can. Should I just go ahead and schedule a tranny inspection and service?

I did read the threads on synthetic products and it was very helpful. I'm convinced it's worth investing the few extra dollars.

Cheers!

 

[khaug]

Rear Axle Seals

I'm guessing that you I will need to remove both wheels and check the drum brakes? I'm not used to the mechanical lingo yet and I'll be surfing this site a lot to learn as much as I can. Should I just go ahead and schedule a tranny inspection and service?

Pulling the rear wheels and brake drums would be the most thorough way of looking for a problem. However, if there is a problem and it's gotten bad, rear-end lube may have leaked into the brake drums, been centrifuged out onto the inside of the rear wheels and be visible just by looking through the wheels while they're mounted on the car.

This problem has nothing to do with the transmission - it involves the rear axle. Scheduling a tranny inspection and service won't be of any help.