Help buying EF fairmont wagon..

G0lg0tha · 10-04-2006, 01:39 PM

Hi people,
Im looking at an EF fairmont wagon with duel fuel under the car.

How many Kilometres is a reasonable amount for a car that is 11 years old?

This particular one has 165 000. Is this high?

What needs replacing at this age?

Can anyone give me some tips what to look for interms of problems/areas to note?

Cheers

Fairlane · 10-04-2006, 05:53 PM

165k seems fine to me, thats probably a bit below average for the age. The motor should have plenty of life left in it.

Bigger issues should be

LPG conversion (is it in decent nick and when was the tank last complianced)

Rust around the tailgate (to be honest i wouldnt touch any e-series with rust; and an EF should definately not have any rust)

Headgasket (they go whenever they wont too, pretty much- expect $400 bill - Cooland changes help)

Gearbox (im asuming its a 4speeder- could go anytime really, a dodgy one could go at 180klms or a well maintained one could do 300klms)

Shokies and other basic consumable stuff, exhaust should have done by that mileage however.

Oh yeh, make sure the Aircon works and the vacuum controls are working probably (Vacuum leaks seem to be a big EF/EL problem - Costs about $400 to fix as its a bastard of a job - wouldnt stop me buying a car, but factor it in when bargaining.

G0lg0tha · 11-04-2006, 08:55 AM

Hey mate, I really appreciate your comments,
Ill take them on board

...
Would climate control work via vacuum lines or is it electronic? (or both?)
Cheers

Aaron_EF8 · 11-04-2006, 12:17 PM

The climate control uses vacuum to control the vents, the blend door, which changes from hot to cold air is electric and is known to play up. If there's a vacuum leak, the vents will blow air out the windscreen.

Have a look at this doco if you want to do a test on the CC before you buy - http://www.fordmods.com/forums/documents.php?doc=9

GUTLES · 12-04-2006, 07:02 PM

GOlgOtha: I brought an ef gli wagon about a month ago with 275kms on it & it still goes well, needs new injectors but runs fine on lpg, its hard to find one under 200kms these days..

BABOSS · 13-04-2006, 02:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G0lg0tha

Hi people,
Im looking at an EF fairmont wagon with duel fuel under the car.

How many Kilometres is a reasonable amount for a car that is 11 years old?

This particular one has 165 000. Is this high?

What needs replacing at this age?

Can anyone give me some tips what to look for interms of problems/areas to note?

Cheers

Shocks, maybe bushes if worn, spark plugs and leads, LPG pressure leak test and tune (around $90@local LPG tuner), check rotors, transy service, oil and filter, air filter, coolant flush, maybe change diff oil, check brake pads. That should be all.