Im looking at picking up a 2000 Dakota ext cab 4.7L V8 60K miles for $5,500 The guy is fixing an overheating problem, I told him if he fixed it I would buy it.

Are there any things to look for that may show some signs of future problems? I know the ball joints are pretty weak but what else should I check?

Thanks for any info

 

Test drive it make sure it runs a 100%, honestly if it has a problem already is it worth it? As what the problem was too. For all you know he did something to it and made somehting go, sounds pretty cheap.

 

It does sound cheap, but go through it with a fine tooth comb. For that price take it to a shop and have them check it over, whats another couple hundred that may save you thousands later! ANd make sure that the overheating problem is fixed not just "fixed" if you get what i'm sayin.

 

Yea... I agree...

Anything that overheat's is always going to over heat unless the head or the full engine block is replaced.

just an opinion tho..

 

Not always might be a stuck valve or something along the way, or tstat etc... I would ask for specific what was wrong. and tell us here and we can help you judge a bit better.

 

I guess I should say the owner is a good friend of mine. he's selling it for $5,500 cause he just wants to get rid of it.

He said it ran fine until a couple days ago when he noticed it started overheating. He's already replaced the T-stat and it is still overheating. Gonna replace the radiator this weekend, if it still overheats, he's gonna try the water pump. If THAT doesnt work, where would the next step be? How can I test the block to make sure it doesnt have a blown head gasket or something?

 

You can check compression on the pistons, or check for oil in coolant or vise versa.

 

might be bad head gasket, had one come in the shop today that did the same thing, and it had a bad head gasket

 

Could always do a coolant system flush. Might have a clog somewhere.