1996 Dodge 1500 4x4 with 101,000 miles. I was thinking of buying for $5,500. I will be looking at it tomorrow. The owner said the air does not work. I don't know yet if it blows air or if it is dead. Can anyone tell me the cost of replacing or what it takes to fix. Also, the owner did not take it in for recall in 1998 vapor canister/purge. Does this only involve emissions or could it clog up the engine in the long run?
I will be checking this truck out tomorrow. What shoule I look for when driving and inspecting. Please help..
2007-08-12 12:17:55 · 4 answers · asked by skycat 5 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Dodge
Thank you silencetheevil8.
2007-08-12 13:18:55 · update #1
fire45 - it is a regular cab and long bed. I am leary based off these answers but will check this one and a 97 Silverado Ext 4x4 120,000 miles and same price. It seems trucks are all priced too high for these earlier years but still fall below those NADA prices.
2007-08-13 03:10:20 · update #2
45cal - thank you. You are right about the 4 x 4 costs. Wish I didn't need that part in winter.
2007-08-13 03:13:22 · update #3
No one can tell you the cost of repairing the AC until it is known what is wrong. As was said, it can be cheap to very expensive. It will have to be diagnosed and an estimate given.
As for the recall, charcoal from the canister could travel from the evaporative canister into the purge solenoid and ultimately into the engine. With as many miles as it already has, it is doubtful it has. If the Purge Solenoid isn't functioning properly it will set a check engine light.
If you buy it, take it to a dealer and have the recall done. There is no expiration date on factory recalls. At worst, they may have to order the needed kit, a new purge solenoid and vapor canister. It can be done in less than a half hour, once it is started on.
Look in the radiator for signs of rusty coolant. Look underneath for any leaks from the rear of the engine, transmission, transfer case and differentials. Of course, look through the front wheels for condition of the brake pads. While there, look at the front U-Joints in axles. If they appear rusty they may need replaced.
Pull the dipsticks from both the engine and transmission. Do either smell burnt? Does the fluid appear fairly clean?
When driving, does the transmission shift smoothy? Does it pull or drift in either direction when driving or stopping?
If $5,500 is the asking price, it should be in real good condition. Good luck on it.
2007-08-12 13:36:41 · answer #1 · answered by Lew W 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A/C can range from very cheap and easy to very time consuming and expensive and this all depends on the reason it doesnt work. If the blower has stopped workign you are going to want to fix it because it also blow hot air when running heat. thats fairly cheap and easy. O-rings are cheap but sometimes they are very labor intensive depending on the locatrion of the A/C compressor (dodge somtimes puts this on the bottom of yoru serpentine system) sometimes the unit has been run properly and needs to be recharged this is extremely cheap and you can generally do this yourself if you are careful as long as it isn't R-12 which is about 80$ per pound and almost impossible to find even if this is the case there are cheap conversion kits avaiable to convert to r-134a, if you have a vacuum leak and the doors wont shift from heat to air you have a much bigger problem because you will likely have to take apart the dash (this can be detected as a hissing sound when starting your engine or when changing between heat and A/C. The best way to start is to go to autozone and get a leakage detection kit this will at the very least give you an idea wether or not you have a leak or not so you can make an informed decision.
2007-08-12 19:32:50 · answer #2 · answered by silencetheevil8 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do not say if it is an extended or regular cab truck, or the trim level, but that price seems VERY high!!!!
The AC can be a costly repair. I would have the truck checked by your own mechanic prior to purchase, and would not pay that price unless the truck has several gold bars under the seat!
2007-08-12 20:27:43 · answer #3 · answered by fire4511 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With that mileage best to have it checked out as if the 4x4 or trans needs repair it can cost a lot more. Why didn't he fix the a/c before selling??? Might be major a/c work$$$
2007-08-12 23:37:37 · answer #4 · answered by 45 auto 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋