Need Input ASAP

[Deb On the GoGo]

Hey Bob and all,
My husband is FINALLY starting to improve after a year and a half being in the hospital more than out. We're trying to be optimistic, but we're pretty sure our RV isn't going to be habitable, let alone roadworthy, after sitting with plastic covered roof vents and the people contracted to replace them not doing it for over a year. So, we went and looked at a van. It's a 1989 G series Chevy van. Except for the clearcoat peeled off the hood, the body looks to be in fantastic shape, though the running boards seem to be a little "wonky". Two of our grandsons, both backyard mechanics with actual school training for it, went and looked at it. The only thing they could really find wrong is the heat/AC fan won't work. They think it's the motor. Anyone have a ballpark idea how much it would cost to fix???????
Need to let the guy know if we want it or not ASAP.

[font=-apple-system, system-ui, Arial, sans-serif]Seller's Description[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,][font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,]Runs well. 96000 original miles. I am the 2nd owner. New alternator newer tires on it. Great road trip van. reliable.  [/font][/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,][font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,]inspected. Not perfect by any means. But could be great for many things ( band, antique dealer, ) 1500 FIRM!!! [/font]
[/font]

 

[Van-Tramp]

For $1500? That is a great deal.

The blower fan is no big deal. Replace it yourself for under $100 most likely.

Common van with common parts. Cheap to work on and easy to do most jobs yourself with minimal tools.

 

[Deb On the GoGo]

Thanks Van-Tramp. I guess hubby and I are going to sit down and make a decision now.

 

[Van-Tramp]

Baring any major mechanical issues, you should expect to replace those tires (soon at least) and prepare to catch up on general maintenance things as you can not assume the previous guy has done any of it recently.

Tune up - plugs, rotor, air filter, and oil change
Trans service - transmission flush and new filter
Radiator service and flush
Fuel filter change (and possibly fuel hoses)
Brake pads and rotors

You could probably get all that done by the pros for under $500, or do it yourself for under $200. Should be pretty darn reliable with that checklist complete. If he has records of these being completed within the past 12-24 months that is even better. But remember, most of the list above need to be done every year (two years at the longest) so you may be in need to redo soon anyway. Wheel bearings, ball-joints, and suspension bushings are other weak points for a van that age. If he hasn't replaced them in the recent decade, expect them soon.

Good luck!

 

[Deb On the GoGo]

Thanks again... More to think about, and you've actually been a much bigger help than the grandsons. Guess they think because they can work on their own vehicles everyone can... and we can't.

 

[Weight]

Van, when was the last time you paid a shop for work? More like $1500 with a quality shop. Double at a dealer. Could get lucky $1000 shade tree. But their grandchildren should make the van safe. They should know how.

 

[becida]

They think it's the motor. Anyone have a ballpark idea how much it would cost to fix???????
Need to let the guy know if we want it or not ASAP.

[font=-apple-system, system-ui, Arial, sans-serif]Seller's Description[/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,][font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,]Runs well. 96000 original miles. I am the 2nd owner. New alternator newer tires on it. Great road trip van. reliable.  [/font][/font]
[font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,][font=system-ui, -apple-system, system-ui,]inspected. Not perfect by any means. But could be great for many things ( band, antique dealer, ) 1500 FIRM!!! [/font]
[/font]

My library has a auto repair manual on-line, part of that is the "official" labor time to do a job.
0.8 hr to replace the AC blower motor, so it's not too bad a job if you want to do it yourself.

 

[Deb On the GoGo]

Thanks Rob. What is the name of the manual? Perhaps our library has it too.

 

[becida]

Thanks Rob. What is the name of the manual? Perhaps our library has it too.

Chilton manual.

 

[Deb On the GoGo]

Chilton manual.

Thanks

 

[highdesertranger]

it takes about 2 seconds to tell if the fan itself is bad. why the speculation? could be the switch, relay, resistor and/or wiring. other than that not much info. highdesertranger