First Time Considering A Mustang

[Cellfunktion]

Hello Everyone,

I am in school and looking to purchase a car. I was browsing classifieds and I saw this ad:

"I'm selling my 98 mustang v6 3.8L. I believe it has a blown head gasket. Selling as is condition. It does start up. Interior in good condition. Custom rims new cost over $2500. Currently on tailer can possibly deliver for a fee. Great mechanics special. I love this car but don't have the money to fix."

The price he is asking for is reasonable, a steal really, but it also seems suspect. I would like to take a look at it and would like to know what questions I should ask about the possibly blown head gasket and other possible mechanical issues. It looks like the owner doesn't know the level of damage the head gasket has sustained...I'm not even sure if he even had a mechanic look at it... and I know NOTHING about cars concerning this and I want to make sure this is worth pursuing. I look forward to hearing from anyone who can give me the best course of action pursuing this.

 

[RaggedGT]

First thing- Welcone to Stangnet..

As far as your questions-and this is just my opinion(s)-
Assume it needs a motor..
Treat it as it needs a motor...
Mileage will be an important part of this,followed by condition and how well maintained it has been.
Then the issue of why it overheated.. How long has it been overheating.. and how hurt it is from overheating.
A set of heads,gaskets and a run through the cooling system may be all it needs,but I'd assume the worst and hope for the best lol

 

[Davedacarpainter]

The Essex V6 is prone to blowing head gaskets. The fault layed in the design of the original head gasket itself. When caught early enough, it's just a head gasket swap. Fairly easy peasy.

If the previous owner didn't find out about it till late in the game, you knew that need a new engine. The head gasket would slowly degrade between oil and coolant galleys allowing coolant into it's oil.

If it was run a while like this there are a number of problems with things that need lubrication. Bearings most notably, and thereby the parts the bearings are located on.

Even if the motor is trashed though, and you feel like getting greasy, you can get a salvage yard V6 with relatively low miles for under $500.

If you really want the car, tell him you'll give him $2k because of needing the engine swapped out.

It takes work, but it isn't really too difficult.