So, I've ventured out of AG and need to ask a quick question;
An 02 plate 4.4 V8 Vouge. It's being advertised as 'Overheating' and they are asking £2990
67k on the clock, looks tidy.
My gut feeling is it's worth about £2.50 as the repair bill is likely to be quite large - head gasket?
Gentleman, your views please...
It may not be the basket case it first looks, depending on whether or not it's been properly kettled. If the car has "run hot", and then been switched off, refilled with water/coolant and run again, the HGs may be intact.
If the car has been run without coolant for an extended period, then it's screwed.
The reason I say it might not be the basket case it first looks is that the BMW-derived cooling system on the 4.4 V8 is known to be a weak point, especially on older vehicles (the plastic and rubber parts degrade over time). Replacing these parts isn't hugely expensive, but it's only worth doing on an engine that hasn't been boiled dry.
If I were in the mood for taking a punt, I'd offer the seller £1,500, identify and fix the cooling system problem, refill it with coolant, run the car at idle for as long as it takes to be satisfied that the temp gauge isn't going to shoot into the red, then drive and enjoy it!
Solid L322s start at about £3,800(ish) these days, so £3k for one with an overheating problem is a bit rich, in my opinion.
