Pre-Purchase Checklist

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ali3404994
Posts: 10
Joined: 27 Dec 2012 11:54 pm

Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by ali3404994 » 28 Dec 2012 12:11 am

Right, my first post here and hopefully of many. I've done a brief search of the site already before posting this so apologies if I've missed what I'm asking for. Basically, I'm not far off potentially buying a 1990 1.4 gl 340 and I was wondering if their are any characteristic problems to look for on 340s, more so than other cars of the same age. Obviously cars this old will have their standard niggles but I've not managed to find any particular things to look out for on 340s (bar being ragged about sideways)
Please go easy on me, I'm new here :wink:
Thanks in advance for any help sm4

Ride_on
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Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by Ride_on » 28 Dec 2012 03:48 am

Not much that I can think of, they certainly last better than most cars of their age;

broken/cracked driver door handles
Driveshaft sensitive to poor re-assembly and rubber engine/gearbox mounts.
Front suspension struts, rusted spring cups
1.4s don't do big milage in my limited experience, if the engine is suffering and >130k miles it will need a rebuild/replacement.
Leaky diff (minor problem unless its severe)

All fixable of course, rust is the only real enemy, and incorrect maintenance/repairs.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

ali3404994
Posts: 10
Joined: 27 Dec 2012 11:54 pm

Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by ali3404994 » 28 Dec 2012 04:05 am

Thank you for the reply. It's somewhat reassuring knowing that they're not too prone to anything really dramatic. The example I'm looking at has a claimed 61k miles on it so hopefully things will be in order. With any luck I'll be posting here with good news a week on Saturday. Fingers crossed...

classicswede
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Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by classicswede » 28 Dec 2012 11:44 am

Rust is the big problem. The worst place to repair is the rear spring hanger, if the chassis has rusted out there it can be an expensive and complex repair.
The front strut spring seat is a co
mm on problem but the repair part is available.

There are some mechanical parts that are nla such as strut tops but gradualy these parts are being re manufactured so the spares situation is improving
Dai

Please email me directly on dai@classicswede.co.uk

http://www.classicswede.com

phone/text 07824887160

Web shop http://www.classicswede.co.uk/

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bogbasic
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Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by bogbasic » 28 Dec 2012 05:38 pm

Mine's on 217 k miles after 3 clutches and a new cylinder head gasket. If you look after them they go on forever but most owners ended up wishing they... (as the old adage goes). The 1.4 is a light engine so the front suspension stands a better chance. I would look out for heavy steering and difficulty getting second gear.... but don't be surprised if you find both - they are not terminal problems which can be lived-with or even put right.... it'll stop the missus driving it.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

samburgess
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Joined: 13 Dec 2012 07:47 pm

Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by samburgess » 28 Dec 2012 06:06 pm

check the rear jacking points ive had 2 go there

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SteveP
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Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by SteveP » 31 Dec 2012 01:33 pm

Rust.

Wouldn't worry about the rest!
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

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smchris
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Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by smchris » 03 Jan 2013 01:42 pm

Just rust, in my expierience! my old one had lots of little niggles (because its old) but it would always get me to work and started better than my mums corsa or my dads jag on a freezing winter morning (I've always suspected this is because of the manual choke) I gotta be honest, I want my 1.4 back now after all the problems I've had with my Valver!! lol
1989 Volvo 340dl...F7p :)
1989 Volvo 340dl-welded and lowww :P - Sold :(

http://www.carsandcoolstuff.com- a poky little motoring site about performance cars, drifting, track days, gadgets and software... ooo yea and my little volvo drifter too :)

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Chris_C
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Re: Pre-Purchase Checklist

Post by Chris_C » 03 Jan 2013 02:35 pm

smchris wrote:I gotta be honest, I want my 1.4 back now after all the problems I've had with my Valver!! lol
If I had a penny for each time I've thought this... I could buy a proper rally car ;)
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

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