I think I bought a lemon

[newbie78]

I bought this 1997 tahoe 2 weeks ago and it needs more work then I thought.

Most of it I new but I found new things that I didnt. Like the codes p0300, p0172 and p0175. And I have a high idle always like 1000 rpms even after idling for like 10+ mins in warm weather.

Now i noticed water dripping out of the tailpipe and in the morning a wet spot on the ground below the muffler the size of a pancake. I see a slight amount of white smoke too coming out of the tailpipe. Is that from a rich running engine? the p0172 and p0175 codes are rich bank1 and bank2

Anyway I paid $1,300 for it and I did a list yesterday of everything it needs to be a great running truck and it was about $1,500+

I don't know what to do I really like the truck though. I've always liked the old body style over the new.

 

[BirchyBoy]

If you like it, do the work and you'll be in the truck for $2,800. Not sure where you're from but that seems like a reasonable price to me.

 

[NathanJax]

well, I think a 18 year old vehicle doesn't really classify as a "lemon". I just think you bought a used vehicle with some issues.

If the $1,500 gets you in to a dependable vehicle for $2,800 total, I don't consider that THAT big of a deal. I'm not sure how many reliable vehicles you will find for $1,300.



Let us know what you need to replace and someone here will be able to help you on finding the best prices and even a DIY to try yourself to save you the most money.

 

[YukonXLPerk]

The water from the pipe should be normal. It is just condensation that built up inside the pipe. All of my vehicles to the same thing.

As for the blue/grey smoke, that could be worn rings. I would expect that from an engine that is 15 years old.

Change all the fluids, and give her a bath. Start with routine maintenance and keep it up and that thing should be a good cheap ride for ya.

 

[newbie78]

The water from the pipe should be normal. It is just condensation that built up inside the pipe. All of my vehicles to the same thing.

As for the blue/grey smoke, that could be worn rings. I would expect that from an engine that is 15 years old.

Change all the fluids, and give her a bath. Start with routine maintenance and keep it up and that thing should be a good cheap ride for ya.

it's white smoke but very faint hard to see. I drained the oil first day I bought it and the drain plug had a load of sludge on it the oil was pure black. I put fresh pennzoil in it and a new Ac delco filter. I'm going to drive it about 1000 miles then change it again and even thinking of dropping the pan if it's not too difficult.

I changed the air filter that thing looked like a shop vac filter how dirty it was. I have no idea how the engine even started with that thing in it could barely breathe.


Yeah it's lots of little things but #1 thing is the radiator first and since I'm going to drain all the coolant I plan on replacing the waterpump, thermostat, all coolant hoses, temp sensor and fan clutch. that's my first chunck of change.

---------- Post added at 06:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 PM ----------

well, I think a 18 year old vehicle doesn't really classify as a "lemon". I just think you bought a used vehicle with some issues.

If the $1,500 gets you in to a dependable vehicle for $2,800 total, I don't consider that THAT big of a deal. I'm not sure how many reliable vehicles you will find for $1,300.



Let us know what you need to replace and someone here will be able to help you on finding the best prices and even a DIY to try yourself to save you the most money.

I just say lemon because of all the work. I can fix anything and your right for under $3k that's nothing for a dependable vehicle. Just alittle more work then I expected.

I have a car the same age I bought for $800 and put a couple grand into it and it still runs very good 7 years later. It's a 4 cylinder I kept it for the good gas mileage.

 

[Gzes]

I bought a del sol and had to build it from ground up and its not a lemmon... Its a project. You paid a great price for your 2dr. Any money you put in only makes it better. A lemmon is a new car that breaks not a 97

 

[MC153]

White smoke? Check the oil cap and see if there is any creamy looking liquid on there. I that's true, then your're probably gonna need a head gasket. Just like yukonxlperk said it is normal for you to have water come out the pipe. but I don't know about the muffler. If it has a weep hole yes it is normal to drip out of the muffler but if it doesn't you got an exhaust leak. Simple weld and your're good. Run some Seafoam through a vacuum line and stick some Marvel Mystery Oil in your tank to get you started out.

 

[newbie78]

I bought a del sol and had to build it from ground up and its not a lemmon... Its a project. You paid a great price for your 2dr. Any money you put in only makes it better. A lemmon is a new car that breaks not a 97

I just bought this truck 2 weeks ago and I can't even drive it on the road until things are repaired that's a lemon no matter what age.

People don't expect a perfect vehicle that is 18 years old but one that at least starts up and can drive.

I new about the radiator but it got worse and the gauge goes up to about 235+ I believe. Whatever the half way mark between 190 and 260 is.

And the rich running engine is going to cause damage is I drive it like that and the high idle 1000 rmps I cant figure out.

I have a new air filter and cleaned the MAF sensor, throttle plate real good and just now took out the IAC and cleaned it.

I bet it's a leaking FPR causing most of these issues.

---------- Post added at 07:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

White smoke? Check the oil cap and see if there is any creamy looking liquid on there. I that's true, then your're probably gonna need a head gasket. Just like yukonxlperk said it is normal for you to have water come out the pipe. but I don't know about the muffler. If it has a weep hole yes it is normal to drip out of the muffler but if it doesn't you got an exhaust leak. Simple weld and your're good. Run some Seafoam through a vacuum line and stick some Marvel Mystery Oil in your tank to get you started out.

nothing wet under the oil cap just some slight burned oil dried up

 

[SunlitComet]

White smoke? Check the oil cap and see if there is any creamy looking liquid on there. I that's true, then your're probably gonna need a head gasket. Just like yukonxlperk said it is normal for you to have water come out the pipe. but I don't know about the muffler. If it has a weep hole yes it is normal to drip out of the muffler but if it doesn't you got an exhaust leak. Simple weld and your're good. Run some Seafoam through a vacuum line and stick some Marvel Mystery Oil in your tank to get you started out.

DAMMIT!!! What the hell did I tell you guys over and over about pouring Seafoam into a vacuum line?

 

[MC153]

DAMMIT!!! What the hell did I tell you guys over and over about pouring Seafoam into a vacuum line?

You've never told me anything about Seafoam through a vacuum line? I just won't use it in the oil..