Qballfc Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 Hello! Just joined. I’ve been looking for a Chinook or Sunrader for a while now and one has just popped up. 1978 Sunrader going for $5k. I’m going to look at it in a few hours, and since I’m not a mechanically inclined person, was just wondering what were the most important tips to look at to make sure RV is with the money. I do apologize if this should be in a different section of this forum. Thank you for your help. Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted November 3, 2018 Share Posted November 3, 2018 2 hours ago, Qballfc said: Hello! Just joined. I’ve been looking for a Chinook or Sunrader for a while now and one has just popped up. 1978 Sunrader going for $5k. I’m going to look at it in a few hours, and since I’m not a mechanically inclined person, was just wondering what were the most important tips to look at to make sure RV is with the money. I do apologize if this should be in a different section of this forum. Thank you for your help. Mike. Count the number of lug nuts on the rear axle. If you have duel tires and 5 lug nuts, the axle is unsafe and will cost lots of $$$ to replace. Tire age is also a biggy. They may look good but could be too old to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrbus Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 There are countless things to be checked and most with time and money are fixable. Tire age age is a biggy, tires that look good ready to explode on the way home! Google how to read DOT codes and check for dry rot. I would replace tires of unknown history at 6 years old. The absolute worst problem I have seen over the years is overheating problems. People have bought Toys and they start with a thermostat, then a water pump, new radiator, new fan clutch, change to electric fan, then a fancy multi core radiator on and on throwing good money after bad. Overheating can be difficult to diagnose and may be a simple fix or a nightmare! It is often head gasket sealer or magic radiator fix that has plugged the cooling cores in the motor. This is rare, I have seen 4 in the last 3 years, but for me personally if I saw any signs of overheating I would walk away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gulfstream Greg Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 7 hours ago, jjrbus said: There are countless things to be checked and most with time and money are fixable. Tire age age is a biggy, tires that look good ready to explode on the way home! Google how to read DOT codes and check for dry rot. I would replace tires of unknown history at 6 years old. The absolute worst problem I have seen over the years is overheating problems. People have bought Toys and they start with a thermostat, then a water pump, new radiator, new fan clutch, change to electric fan, then a fancy multi core radiator on and on throwing good money after bad. Overheating can be difficult to diagnose and may be a simple fix or a nightmare! It is often head gasket sealer or magic radiator fix that has plugged the cooling cores in the motor. This is rare, I have seen 4 in the last 3 years, but for me personally if I saw any signs of overheating I would walk away. I like that picture. A common mistake done. Keep renewing the sealant instead of fixing the problem. Gasket sealing also has another similar effect. The thought is it will never leak when I am done. You only need a thin coat of sealant for gaskets, make it thin enough to see through on both sides of the gasket. I knew a guy who bought a long block hot rodded engine. He used so much extra sealant for gaskets it got into the oil and pan. It blew up within a few miles after first start. And not all gaskets need sealant. Engine builder would not warrantee it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjrbus Posted November 4, 2018 Share Posted November 4, 2018 If one can of snake oil does not fix it 5 should do the trick! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted November 5, 2018 Share Posted November 5, 2018 (edited) some of that leaking can be caused by total cooling system neglet .a guy I new bought a 1980 20 r truck all the antifreeze would go in the oil pan . the bearings where all gone . But the head was so corroded out from from never changing coolent. that no way would it seal. I used the cam and rockers the only savable parts in another 20r that I got out of a junk car the owner of that one never changed oil had to bore it and all reman. the cam and rockers wer e scored too junk. I have seen other aluminum heads totally eaten out by corsion. Edited November 5, 2018 by 5Toyota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted November 9, 2018 Share Posted November 9, 2018 be cautious about low priced toys - they show up all over - put on your best "scam prevention" hat - DO NOT WIRE MONEY - do not but anything sight unseen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maineah Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Many years ago it was Bardahl stop leak if you used more than one can the first thing it did was plug up the heater core then the radiator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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