Jukesy007

Hello there everyone.

I am viewing an Impreza Turbo tomorrow in the hope that i will be buying my first Imprezza and was wondering what the major things i should be looking out for when viewing.

If there is a link to another thread which can provide the answer or if someone could post up some pointers, i would be very grateful.

Thanks

silent running

In brief, if they thrash it from cold on the test drive, walk away.

andyseston

make sure he starts it from cold so you can here any knocking noise from cold.

knocking noise means bottom end gone /going

check for smoke underload.


good luck

Jukesy007

thanks for the pointers

jimbo54

Knocking noise when cold could also be piston slap which is common and nothing to worry about. Ask to look at all receipts ask who does the servicing when the car was last serviced when timing belt was changed etc etc etc before you view the car make a note of all the things you need to ask dont take the seller at face value if work has been done there should be some form of proof.

Jam Performance

iTrader: (3)

knocking,tapping,coolant leaks,oil leaks,blue smoke from exhaust, make sure the gears change smoothly and the box dsnt whine, once warmed up fully take it on a dual carriage way and floor it in 3rd or 4th gear and make sure it boosts properly without any hesitation.....

evander

iTrader: (1)

Look for bubbles coming up in the small overflow tank next to the battery indicating a blown head joint, also let the car heat up then let it idle for a while to make sure the heaters dont go cold, a sure sign the thermostat has been removed to cover a head gasket fault. Make sure it pulls smoothly and ildes smoothly, faulty coil packs are expensive so try and suss out if they are ok. Listen for knocks and clunks when driving, a lot I know.

rossyboy

iTrader: (8)

Goes without saying you need to check for accident damage. Uneven panel gaps, lumpy panel filling and overspray....

Piston slap I believe mainly only affects certain years of car, but you haven't stated what sort of age you are looking at?

Is it a uk or import?

You will get white emissions at start up from cold, but this is only condensation like most cars. As said, blue smoke is not good.

Make sure the heaters work, heater matrix is a dash out job.

Look for oil leaks and question a very clean engine bay if the rest of the car doesn't match up to that standard of cleanliness.

Phildodd06

Hi, just bought a V5 Type R it smokes ever so slightly on cold start up, but thn is fine, is this a problem im going to have to worry about?
It is standard appart from a pannel filter and the 3" pipe all the way through with no Cat
Sorry for the thread hijack.

The Rig

iTrader: (13)

could be the valve stem seals if it smokes from instant cold start without driving it.

andyseston

what colour is the smoke

funkyspider

Valve stem oil seals seem to be pretty unusual failure on this engine, more associated with smoke on startup on a conventional non-flat engine as the oil drips down the stems when sat. If it's black smoke then maybe just running a bit too rich - it will of course run richer when started from cold anyway.

Phildodd06

Its ever so slightly bluey white...