Looked at a van today, noticed something that concerned me

[NeedAnEscape]

I went to look at a 1992 E250 with the 300ci/4.9l I6 and when the seller cranked it, it sounded like it ran for a quarter second then stalled. It started and idled fine on the second attempt, but sounded like it was idling high for a couple seconds. Is this anything to worry about? I didn't get to drive it because the license plate was missing. I liked everything else about the van, since it is an extended body cargo van in excellent cosmetic condition.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Maybe it just hadn't been started in a while... clearing out the cobwebs so to speak. No, I wouldn't be overly concerned about that.

I assume the missing plate meant that it was not registered. My question would be for how long has it sat unregistered? Sitting unused is very, very bad for any vehicle.

In some states, you will have to pay all that back registration. And it wasn't registered because there is something wrong with the van's ability to pass emissions tests in almost every case.

 

[NeedAnEscape]

It had valid registration, but no plate. The seller said it must have been stolen, and was going to get a replacement, and let me know when he did. 1992 is too old for emission tests here, and there was no CEL lit (it still came on with the key on/engine off so the bulb works) so it would pass my state's "test" if it was required. The pictures on the listing show it in a different location than where it was when I looked at it, with the for sale sign in the window, so I don't think was more than a few days since it was last moved.

I forgot to mention, it was listed at $3,800 and has just under 120,000 miles which is unusually low for a 1992.

 

[NeedAnEscape]

I just ran a carfax, and it shows it has only been driven 800 miles in the last 9 months, but was driven a 2-3 thousand per year before that, and confirmed the registration was valid.

 

[KASibson]

I'm no expert, but that sounds like cause for concern.
I'd say take it to a mechanic, but if you can't drive it (no plates) then I don't see how you'd get it there unless you had it towed.

 

[BobBski]

Not sure how long the "high" idle you mentioned was but automatic chokes make engines idle higher at initial start. Very normal.

 

[jimindenver]

Most vehicals run at a higher idle for a bit when first started. I put manual chokes on both of my 300 in lines, much better.

 

[frater secessus]

Sounds like the automatic choke to me, too.

 

[poncho62]

A 92 would not be carburated......would be some sort of electronic injection.....would have throttle positioning device

 

[Headache]

A 1992 would be the first year of the 4th generation Econoline. Fuel injection on that "Truck 6" began in 1987 and production on the engine was ended in the mid 90s if I remember right because that's when they went into complete v6 production.

 

[DannyB1954]

I like straight 6's. Lots of torque. Usually not great gas mileage though. The engine will act more like a mule than a race horse. As long as there are no knocking noises, I think most everything else is repairable at a reasonable cost, if you're handy with a wrench.

 

[Iggy]

Mine is a 2001 and it had the same symptoms. Turned out to be a bad mass airflow sensor. A $25 fix. Btw, I get about 16 mpg city, and 18 highway with my 6 cylinder. Not great, not not horrible. It is a little gutless climbing in the mountains, though.

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