Need a Diagnosis(a little long)

[Stangowner4life]

Im currently looking to buy a mustang. I drove a 94 GT 5-speed with 115,000 Sunday. I was pretty impressed with the car look wise and they way it drove. I sent my dad over monday to take it for one last spin before i made an offer, but it was a totally different machine for him. He claims he drove it a total of 10 miles and during those few miles it died 4 times when he pushed the clutch in. When it was on the express way it was running 2300 rpm at 70 miles an hour.(my 88 GT ran 1900 rpm at 70mph). Also the check engine light was on (were thinking thats a result of the two rear exhaust sensors being taken off when a flowmaster system was put on). We both realized that the car wasnt very spunky and you had to work hard burn a little rubber. As far as the dying and the check engine light I had no problems during my test drive Sunday. Any help is always greatly appreciated.

 

[CManT1914]

Im currently looking to buy a mustang. I drove a 94 GT 5-speed with 115,000 Sunday. I was pretty impressed with the car look wise and they way it drove. I sent my dad over monday to take it for one last spin before i made an offer, but it was a totally different machine for him. He claims he drove it a total of 10 miles and during those few miles it died 4 times when he pushed the clutch in. When it was on the express way it was running 2300 rpm at 70 miles an hour.(my 88 GT ran 1900 rpm at 70mph). Also the check engine light was on (were thinking thats a result of the two rear exhaust sensors being taken off when a flowmaster system was put on). We both realized that the car wasnt very spunky and you had to work hard burn a little rubber. As far as the dying and the check engine light I had no problems during my test drive Sunday. Any help is always greatly appreciated.

Test drive it again, and during the test drive, take it to Autozone and have them pull the codes for you. It could be something as simple as dirty/worn out sensors (like the O2's, or the MAF, or the ECT etc..). 2300 rpms sounds like it has some 3.73's out back. No doubt it has been driven "aggressively" before. Make sure you know what you're getting before dropping some cash for it. Oh, and getting the codes pulled is free. Just make sure the morons know it's OBDI (NOT OBDII). Good luck.
-Chris

 

[HISSIN50]

Or take a paperclip with you and do it yourself (AZ here wont pull codes for OBD-I, which is why I mentioned that. If they do where you live, have them do it).

The guy should soften the price given what happened with your dad. Needing missing O2's is 100 bucks off right there.

We only have two O2's right?
So it might be running around in OL.

Good luck with it.

 

[94-302-vert]

Look at the plugs and wires too...

My car was the same way (exept for the RPM)... It had 123,655 miles on it, it had the original 1994 plugs, wires, cap/rotor, air filter, etc... It ran like butt...

I spent $100 on oxygen senors, $100 on the tune up, I still have a CE light but it runs 100 times better.

 

[CManT1914]

Or take a paperclip with you and do it yourself (AZ here wont pull codes for OBD-I, which is why I mentioned that. If they do where you live, have them do it).

The guy should soften the price given what happened with your dad. Needing missing O2's is 100 bucks off right there.

We only have two O2's right?
So it might be running around in OL.

Good luck with it.

They won't pull codes for you in Arizona? Hmmm..... That sucks. The last time I went to autozone here, the guy told me they wouldn't pull codes on OBDI cars. (Lie: They've done it for me before) So I asked him if he would sell me one of the hand-held scanners, he said they don't sell those. (Another lie: I've seen them there) So I said screw it and bought one off the internet.

Stangowner, I must have missed that part of your post. Are you saying it has no O2 sensors at all? (There are only 2, just like you said JT) If so, ask the guy why they didn't put them back in. Any aftermarket exhaust has the bungs for them already on the pipes, there's no reason for him to leave them off.

 

[1slow95]

Sounds like a problem with the 02 sensors, or possibly the MAF. Definitely pull the codes on it.

 

[HISSIN50]

They won't pull codes for you in Arizona? Hmmm..... That sucks. The last time I went to autozone here, the guy told me they wouldn't pull codes on OBDI cars. (Lie: They've done it for me before)

LOL, I know what you mean Chris. BTW, I meant to type that they wont pull OBD-I codes here [ instead of it seemingly like they dont pull them anywhere]. My bad.

I have sent my sis down to AZ to get codes pulled (OBD-I Ford) and they do it for her. They would not do codes for me though. Hmmmm, well you posted a picture of me - do you think that has something to do with it?

 

[CManT1914]

LOL, I know what you mean Chris. BTW, I meant to type that they wont pull OBD-I codes here [ instead of it seemingly like they dont pull them anywhere]. My bad.

I have sent my sis down to AZ to get codes pulled (OBD-I Ford) and they do it for her. They would not do codes for me though. Hmmmm, well you posted a picture of me - do you think that has something to do with it?

Well if someone looked like that, would YOU really want them hanging around anymore than they had to?

 

[HISSIN50]

Well if someone looked like that, would YOU really want them hanging around anymore than they had to?

I have an idea. Ill send a normal lookin friend in to the parts store for an alternator or something. He will then go to the parking lot to install it and bring in the core. Then I (looking like I do above) will come running back into the store holding the alternator and say that it shorted out and my whole body is tingling. I will say I dont feel to good and ask if I look any different than I did a few minutes ago when I bought the alternator.

 

[NIN]

If that flowmaster system was a catback there are not sensors on the catback. just the mid-pipe or headers if there longtubes. If it were me and your dad was telling the truth I would wait for a another mustang. Are there a lot mods on the car or just exhaust?

 

[CManT1914]

I have an idea. Ill send a normal lookin friend in to the parts store for an alternator or something. He will then go to the parking lot to install it and bring in the core. Then I (looking like I do above) will come running back into the store holding the alternator and say that it shorted out and my whole body is tingling. I will say I dont feel to good and ask if I look any different than I did a few minutes ago when I bought the alternator.

Be sure to rub some soot or something black on your face, lol.

 

[super302]

at JT

back on topic, lol: how much is the guy asking

 

[94-302-vert]

Yeah price is key... ANY car is worth something... if you don't overpay for what it needs you are in good shape...

But keep in mind that it is all relative to $$ and time... do you have the $$ and time to be working on this car all the time... For me I bought mine in august and so far out of the last 9 months it has been basically parked for 3-4 months while I have been working on it a couple hours a day in my driveway...

 

[Stangowner4life]

besides the exhaust there is only a short throw shifter, no engine mods. It is a White 94 GT 5-speed coupe with 115,000 and hes asking 5800. Im gonna have my uncle pull the codes just out of curosity. The thing is my Grand Prix GTP burnt to the ground 3 weeks ago and i need a new car. I am willing to drive quite a distance to get a my new car but this one is the only car that has interested between here and California (im from MI).My uncle is going to Poenix, AZ with his semi and offered to pick up a car there for me, but i cant find one there that i like either. I guess im a little too picky. Thanks for the help guys Im gonna pass it this one after i check the codes just outta curiosity.

 

[94-302-vert]

Seems like way too much.. On my car they were asking $6300 and I got it for $4800, prob could have done even better, and that was for a vert with a new top, top motor, and one of the cylinders replaced....

I would say make him move on the price or keep looking.. It sounds like my car where it is going to run you some $$.

 

[super302]

IMO-$5800 is too much for that car

 

[1slow95]

IMO-$5800 is too much for that car

With the problems you described, I would give maybe $3500-$4000 if everything else is in good condition.

 

[HISSIN50]

That would be a fair asking price out here.

 

[18mustangs]

Are you sure there aren't any after market rear ring and pinion gears in the car? That might accont for the 2300 RPM at 70 MPH. Lets also not forget that if it's a factory tac there is room for error on the RPMs.
Tim

 

[CManT1914]

Seems like way too much.. On my car they were asking $6300 and I got it for $4800, prob could have done even better, and that was for a vert with a new top, top motor, and one of the cylinders replaced....

They replaced a cylinder?

$5800 is way to much. I paid $6000 for mine (vert) bone stock, with 80k miles, brand new top, and hardly a scratch on it. I think I might have been able to talk the guy down, but I didn't want to chance it, as I was fully willing to pay 6.