I think I have found the one!

[DreadHeadDrifter]

UPDATE:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/cto/5144664643.html

So I went today to check out this van, and I really liked it. The guy said he would go as low as $2,000 for it, asking price was $2,250. I test drove it, the alignment was a little off and when I was breaking it seemed a little bumpy but nothing major. Is this something to be worried about? Besides this the only things I could find wrong were that the a/c didn't work, and the belt made a slight noise when the vehicle was on. Maybe some lube could fix that? Also it needs new tires. Now considering these things I am trying to find a fair price to negotiate with him.

Does anyone know about these ford e-150 vans? Any advice or suggestions? The rear seat folds into a bed, I would plan on taking all the seats out and pretty much gutting it to insulate it, putting some of the interior back in and doing a complete remodel of it. I decided a conversion over a cargo because I want windows, I plan on staying in many scenic places and figure I can cut out reflect and put it in the windows if needed. 

I would love any advice or suggestions on this van, because I plan on calling him tomorrow to negotiate a solid price and pick it up otherwise. Just have to do some research on tires and stuff. Thanks and any advice is appreciated. This could be the one!

 

[ramblingvanman]

I know these vans pretty well. What do you mean by "bumpy"? The "bumpy" brakes could be indicative of warped rotors. Not a major issue. It could also be the ABS triggering. Are you sure the noise was the belt and not power steering whine? PS whine is very common on those vans and many other Fords for that matter. There are many possible reasons for the AC to be inop.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

I know these vans pretty well. What do you mean by "bumpy"? The "bumpy" brakes could be indicative of warped rotors. Not a major issue. It could also be the ABS triggering. Are you sure the noise was the belt and not power steering whine? PS whine is very common on those vans and many other Fords for that matter. There are many possible reasons for the AC to be inop.

Brakes: Just kind of felt like if you were to put something very thin around only one part of your tire, and you can feel each time it passes through when the wheel rotates around in a circle. If that makes any sense lol I am not very good at describing things like that. Is there a way for me to tell if it is the ABS or the rotors?? I brought my diagnostic tool but I could not find a place to plug it in since it is a 93.

The noise: Came from under the hood, sounded like it was from a belt. He said it only makes that sound in the summer when its really hot out. Is there a way for me to tell if it is power steering whine or the belt? It drove fine, I whipped a u turn and it was like putting a warm knife through butter. I was surprised at how smooth it drove. 

A/C: I am not very worried about since I will not be using it much, but I can always tinker around with it, could just need freon? I do not know much about vehicle A/C.

I appreciate your effort to help and any advice would be greatly appreciated, I am handy but not a mechanic and plan on seeing the van again tomorrow and negotiating to buy it. So if there is a way for me to check those things out before hand that would be awesome. I will have a couple hundred left for repairs if needed so as long as it isn't a thousand dollar problem I should be okay!

 

[ramblingvanman]

Brakes, sounds like it could be warped rotors. My best guess without actually checking it myself.

Noise, Was it a squeal or a mechanical whine? How does the belt look? Is it brownish? Glazed? Cracked? Loose? Is it too tight?

A/C It could just be low on freon, sure. That would be my first check. There are a dozen or more things that could cause the AC to not work. Does the compressor come on at all, even for a second?

I am assuming it has the 4.6, if it has a 302 or 351(highly doubtful on an E150) let me know.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Brakes, sounds like it could be warped rotors. My best guess without actually checking it myself.

Noise, Was it a squeal or a mechanical whine? How does the belt look? Is it brownish? Glazed? Cracked? Loose? Is it too tight?

A/C It could just be low on freon, sure. That would be my first check. There are a dozen or more things that could cause the AC to not work. Does the compressor come on at all, even for a second?

I am assuming it has the 4.6, if it has a 302 or 351(highly doubtful on an E150) let me know.

What would warped rotors run me? I remember him saying he did a brake job on them a few thousand miles ago, I will have to look into it more. Ill look into how I check myself for warped rotors cause that could help with the price. What would you offer rom the information given?

The noise, it was a squeal, the belt looked almost new did not notice cracks, I will check tomorrow and give it a good tug and see if it is loose or too tight. It did not sound like a mechanical whine. It is not that loud, and makes a steady sounds as the engine is in idle.

It is a 5.0 v8 I believe that is a 302? 

Thanks again!

 

[LeeRevell]

The ad does say it's an eight cylinder.  Good looking van.  The plug in diagnostics came in 1996.  Hopefully the AC is just needing refridgerant.  AC repair is spendy.

 

[Rugster]

The thing is if a vehicle just needs freon, then there is a problem. The AC system is a closed system, so if freon is leaking out, then something in the system needs repair. Of course, if it's a tiny leak, it may hold a charge for several months but it will leak out again.

But, if ac isn't a huge deal for you, use it as a negotiating point, most people will want ac Good luck!

 

[Canine]

Van looks good.If it drives good,I'm thinking go for it.Rotors are cheap.Maybe 25.00 each.Or may only need turning.8.00 or so each.More than 90% of the time AC problems are a loss of refrigerant.No big deal to charge it up.Usually the leak is around the compressor clutch seal due to drying out from not being used.Good Luck.

 

[SoulRaven]

By your description I would say it's a $1500 van right now, and you'll be in it in the vicinity of $2500 when everything is fixed.

Other than moving out the seats, I wouldn't mess with the floor/walls/ceiling. Insulation is way over rated. I have none, and spend a lot of time in weather extremes.

Some of the best advice I ever got was to treat my van like a tent. Just move your stuff in.

 

[BC Guy]

When I had the a/c fixed on a 1990 E350 it cost me $1000. That was the lower quote. Just putting in freon did nothing. That was around 10 years ago.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

Great advice everyone, I will try and negotiate, if I can get it for $1800 I will be a happy camper. I called him and he took the tires off then called me back about an hour later. The front left rotor is a little warped, he said it is nothing major and from his mechanical experience he would leave it how it is and that it will probably last another 50,000 miles? I don't know how accurate that is.This van has 2 owners, the first one was an older couple, the woman husband died that owner the van, She held on to it for awhile for sentimental reasons. He purchased the van back in 2006 and has had it since then. He is selling it because he just purchased a truck for his stump grinding company and has no need for another vehicle. The title is clean, clean carfax report. Drives very well and starts right up, besides the slight rotor feeling when breaking.

 

[Gary68]

rockauto has a rotor for around $50 but you should be able to get one locally easy enough

 

[SoulRaven]

I wouldn't trust anybody that told me a warped rotor was good for 50k miles... Are you sure this guy isn't a flipper?

 

[offroad]

If you don't buy it I am going to. Lol. Five hour drive away but cheaper than anything around here.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

You're looking at a van that absolutely, positively, needs to be checked out by an independent mechanic BEFORE you buy it.  Get written estimates of what it would cost to fix whatever problems he finds. If the seller won't allow that, walk away.

Regards
John

 

[ramblingvanman]

Great advice everyone, I will try and negotiate, if I can get it for $1800 I will be a happy camper. I called him and he took the tires off then called me back about an hour later. The front left rotor is a little warped, he said  it is nothing major and from his mechanical experience he would leave it how it is and that it will probably last another 50,000 miles? I don't know how accurate that is.This van has 2 owners, the first one was an older couple, the woman husband died that owner the van, She held on to it for awhile for sentimental reasons. He purchased the van back in 2006 and has had it since then. He is selling it because he just purchased a truck for his stump grinding company and has no need for another vehicle. The title is clean, clean carfax report. Drives very well and starts right up, besides the slight rotor feeling when breaking.

You know, I have been fixing cars since 1992. I can almost never look at a rotor and know that it is warped just from looking at it. I have serious doubts about the veracity of his statement.

You're looking at a van that absolutely, positively, needs to be checked out by an independent mechanic BEFORE you buy it.  Get written estimates of what it would cost to fix whatever problems he finds. If the seller won't allow that, walk away.

Regards
John

Seconded. Get it checked out. Tell the mechanic nothing except that you want a pre-purchase inspection.
ETA: Ask the seller what shop he would recommend and then go somewhere else.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

I guess that is a good idea, I will have to see if there is a place nearby him that is open. I wonder how much that will cost. I know he is not a flipper because he has had it since 2006. I am confused on what to do now :/ my gut says to go for it but if y'all say take it to mechanic first then maybe thats whats best. I would rather spend one or two hundred on an inspection than a few thousand on a lemon.

 

[offroad]

Just be quick about taking it to a mechanic. You may need to take the morning off work to do that. Any good deal does not last. Find it funny when folks say to take it to a mechanic. Then it gets sold before that can happen. Maybe but a deposit on it, and say if it checks out with less than $500 in significant repairs, you will buy it. That should get the owner to wait on you.

 

[DreadHeadDrifter]

He called me about 15 minutes after I said I wanted to take it to a mechanic tomorrow and said he has someone that wants to come buy it today. Not sure if that is a sales tactic to keep me from taking it to the shop an buy now or if he is serious. I wish there was some way to tell, cause no shops are open on a Sunday. :/

 

[ramblingvanman]

IMO, I would let it pass. Let's be honest, you have little automotive skill or knowledge and imo the guy has already lied when he told you a visibly warped rotor would last for 50k miles. Just my opinion. YMMV