I am about to buy a 1986 Diesel Tempo with about 200,000 miles on it for $500. A buddy of mine and I went to look at it two days ago and its in beautiful condition. I also understand that 200,000 is nothing to a diesel engine. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get it started. The person selling the car showed us a video of him driving it a month ago before storing it. Hes also put work into it since then including new break lines and glow plugs. However, this will be my first ever diesel; and no worries, its being purchased as a project car, not a daily driver.
Tomorrow I am going to look at it with another buddy of mine who is knowledgeable in diesel engines. He thinks the guy may have just flooded it. When he was attempting to start it he sprayed some starter fluid into the air intake and cranked it about 5 times total. The engine sounded like it was about to start and it was cranking strong, but just wasn't catching. He was pumping the gas as well and he primed it (a primer in a car, the strangest thing I've ever seen) but no luck.
Also, it is going to need a new battery. We had the terminals hooked to a boat battery which was hooked to his van via jumper cables.
So my questions are:
1. What kind of battery do these take, if my research is correct I don't know where to find a battery that massive (the old one is still in the trunk) with that high of a CCA. Would a battery for a more common 1.6 or 2.0 liter diesel VW Golf or Jetta from around the same time work?
2. The engine sounded healthy when it was cranking, and I know diesels have a harder time starting in the cold after sitting for awhile. Could he have just flooded it? Could it be a loss of compression? Any suggestions or steps to take when I go back to it tomorrow?
3. I used to own a 1996 Miata and would order parts from this junkyard in Pennsylvania (Planet-Miata.com Home - Your #1 source for Mazda Miata new and used parts and accessories.) Is there a comparable site like this for diesel Tempos? Or any good specific forums or clubs to join with these as I know they're rare. Really, its just a Tempo overall, but if I ever need engine specific parts I'll need a source.
4. Anything in general I should Just know from other owners of these?
Tomorrow I am going to look at it with another buddy of mine who is knowledgeable in diesel engines. He thinks the guy may have just flooded it. When he was attempting to start it he sprayed some starter fluid into the air intake and cranked it about 5 times total. The engine sounded like it was about to start and it was cranking strong, but just wasn't catching. He was pumping the gas as well and he primed it (a primer in a car, the strangest thing I've ever seen) but no luck.
Also, it is going to need a new battery. We had the terminals hooked to a boat battery which was hooked to his van via jumper cables.
So my questions are:
1. What kind of battery do these take, if my research is correct I don't know where to find a battery that massive (the old one is still in the trunk) with that high of a CCA. Would a battery for a more common 1.6 or 2.0 liter diesel VW Golf or Jetta from around the same time work?
2. The engine sounded healthy when it was cranking, and I know diesels have a harder time starting in the cold after sitting for awhile. Could he have just flooded it? Could it be a loss of compression? Any suggestions or steps to take when I go back to it tomorrow?
3. I used to own a 1996 Miata and would order parts from this junkyard in Pennsylvania (Planet-Miata.com Home - Your #1 source for Mazda Miata new and used parts and accessories.) Is there a comparable site like this for diesel Tempos? Or any good specific forums or clubs to join with these as I know they're rare. Really, its just a Tempo overall, but if I ever need engine specific parts I'll need a source.
4. Anything in general I should Just know from other owners of these?