[ibex 276]

You can run it without the radiator for a couple of minutes. Take off the belt to the water pump and fill the engine with water. Listen then do a comp check.

 

[Asm109]

Just low ball your offer by the cost of a complete engine rebuild. Tell the seller to get a radiator in the car if he wants you to up the offer.

 

[kb65]

bring a radiator

ken

 

[ylexot]

Yank the plugs one by one. If you find one or more that looks new (super clean) that could indicate a head gasket leak. Especially if it's two that are side by side. You could also bring a radiator, hook it up and pressurize it with air with a leak tester and see if it leaks down. No need for coolant unless you actually want to run the engine. If it was just a radiator, then it would have been replaced, so it being missing is a bad sign. Just like 'AC, just needs a belt or a charge' which is never the case. What this really comes down to is what is the asking price and overall condition?

 

[kenash]

Not having a radiator could be his way of masking an engine problem. As was mentioned, use the opportunity as a bargaining chip to lower the price.

 

[kpointer25]

I'm thinking an engine problem is probably being hidden as well.

I like the idea of running it with water to get the engine warm and running a comp test. I just didnt want to buy a radiator for a car i might not buy. Thanks for the help!

 

[Boss429Dreamer]

I agree with the others, the seller is most likely hiding something serious. If not, why wouldn't they have a radiator and a running engine as that would be a good selling point. Beware

 

[JustAroundMidnight]

"For a couple of hundred bucks, I could get a LOT more for a running car. However, I'll take my lumps and give someone I don't know a SUPER deal." Unlikely. There are some good tips in this thread. I bring a list of items when I go to look at a car.

 

[vegasloki]

Just low ball your offer by the cost of a complete engine rebuild. Tell the seller to get a radiator in the car if he wants you to up the offer.

^^^^ This. Even if you fired with a wet engine no radiator (and he let you) it won’t give you a full idea relative to what is wrong. You could read the plugs and borescope the cylinders but that still isn’t going to get you that much closer. Unless you can hear it and step on the gas a couple of times to see if it sounds like a canister of Lincoln Logs it’s hard to tell if it’s impending doom.

Did you ask why there is no radiator?

 

[kb65]

I'm thinking an engine problem is probably being hidden as well.

I like the idea of running it with water to get the engine warm and running a comp test. I just didnt want to buy a radiator for a car i might not buy. Thanks for the help!

If you had your location listed maybe another member here could help you out with a loaner.
I have a couple of spares down stairs.

 

[JohnnyK]

Just assume no engine.. Not a big deal to swap out.

 

[74Rallye]

Assume the worst and bargain from that point.

 

[66barnfind]

If you had your location listed maybe another member here could help you out with a loaner.
I have a couple of spares down stairs.

Good point. I’ve got a stock radiator too sitting lonely in my garage. pM if you’re near 93010.

 

[wicked93gs]

Just assume the engine is shot and price accordingly. As the seller its up to him to prove otherwise.