Ready to buy a MU: what to look out for?

[bighorn]

Well, I'm ready to break out the cheque book, but before I do, is there anything specific (beyond the usual used car stuff) I should check on the MU? The MU I'm buying is a '91 5 speed 2.8Td with 90,000kms.

Any problem areas, leaky spots, known issues, or things to inspect very closely?

This MU is a Japanese import - any way to verify no accidents in Japan, and that the mileage on the odometer is really real?

Any help much appreciated: hoping to be out wheeling my new MU this weekend (depending on how my inspection goes!)

Cheers and thanks,
BH

[geeves]

Where are you?
Ignore the mileage and assume its wrong. Very few cars even in Japan do under 6000km a year.
Get the car checked by a competant diesel mechanic He should be able to tell you the true aprox mileage but it doesnt realy matter as if maintained well it will do 400000km.
Things to look at before spending money with the mechanic.
Leaks Any large leaks should be avoided. Any oil around the bell housing needs to be checked as its probably the rear main seal. If the dealer wont fix this knock 600 off the price.
Clutch should work smoothly and not slip
A little dampness around the top of the steering box might be ok but if its wet it could be a pricy fix
It should steer straight and true Any wallowing or wandering would suggest bad suspension. Most is fairly cheap to buy the parts but it all adds up
Rust Any obvious rust suggests a life of neglect or accident. I dont know of any rusty Mus
Engine oil will be black but if its like tar walk away actualy run.
Any strong smell of diesel under the bonnet or wetness around the fuel pump will be bad seals. Some mechanics can do them for $200 ish but others demand $1200+
Timing belt should be done at 100000km so get this done by the dealer and make sure they do it. I know of one Mu that had the belt changed by the dealer then had it snap 2 years later It was not a 2 year old belt

[bighorn]

Hi Geeves - thanks for the useful information.

I'm way up in Canada, and JDMs are a big thing here now. Our govt is about to change the rules to only allow imports over 25 years old, but now it stands at 15 years, so there's a lot of importing going on.

Is it true that the same thing happened in Aus and NZ?

BH

[geeves]

In NZ its still open slather except for the imposition or frontal impact rules that dont apply to 4wds.
There are plans afoot to restrict older imports but not yet
In Aus they have complicated rules designed to protect the local car manufacturers even if they are importing the equivalent car fully built up. This effectively bars all imports of Isuzu 4wds but other brands of similar 4wds are ok
On another 4wd forum I belong to we have a member that is in the business of importing Land cruisers to Canada. Hes been quite vocal about the situation which supposedly revolves around the fact that the imports are right hand drive but thats more likely being driven by local car makers.
Are you haveing a nice winter so far?

[caffa]

How did your inspection go. DId you get the truck ?

[Vineboy]

geeves said:

In Aus they have complicated rules designed to protect the local car manufacturers even if they are importing the equivalent car fully built up. This effectively bars all imports of Isuzu 4wds but other brands of similar 4wds are ok

This sucks because I will probably end up spending just as much as the purchase price again on Holden (Isuzu here) genuine services and aftermarket toys on my MU.