New car?

[Samiam602]

Hello I'm currently looking at a 1994 Sunbird Convertible to buy. Is there anything I should know before looking to buy it? Such as parts of the car that give out or need replacing around a certain milage? Or just any tips about it.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Yes timing belt / water pump on the 2.0 OHC, it will leave you stranded when it breaks , the water pump runs off it and serves as the tensioner for the belt. So since it has to come all apart just to change the belt , you should change the pump at the same time. ( No worry though, non interference motor ) Motor mounts dont last long either, so buy lifetime ones if you have to change any.

The cooling fan is controlled by the computer, which quits sending power to the fan for some reason with age , and causes overheating and engine damage. Most convert to a manual switch or aftermarket fan controler. Watch temp like a hawk if you buy one.

Fuel pump if it has alot miles on it, front wheel hub bearings the same.

Auto trans: I got about 139 k out of the first one, sometimes the lockup solenoid goes bad and will stall the car out on a stop. Passenger side axle seal takes a lot a wear and starts leaking also. As long as the trans has regular filter changes, it will last. First to go is reverse , so a rebuild will be needed if that happens. ( Or like me , just drive it for 7 months with no reverse)

I can't comment on V6 or Standard trans ones , bit I'ved owned many 60* V6 GM products and they ran good with no problems.

Body /Interior : cheap interior plastic so keep it out of the sun and heat if possible , same with the tail lights , they have glass headlights so you are good. Clearcoat fades in the sun easy too, and the body metal is real thin also .

Mine has 154k on it , runs like a sewing machine, but the body is rotted on the floors, A pilar's and front roof. I seen plenty with over 230k on them.

Hopes this helps, I've owned mine almost 11 years and it was my daily driver untill recently now that I'm retired. Was my farm vehicle , also used to pull out damage from buildings from hurricane Maria , farm watering hoses from fields , etc.

Doug in P.R.

 

[Samiam602]

Yes timing belt / water pump on the 2.0 OHC, it will leave you stranded when it breaks , the water pump runs off it and serves as the tensioner for the belt. So since it has to come all apart just to change the belt , you should change the pump at the same time. ( No worry though, non interference motor ) Motor mounts dont last long either, so buy lifetime ones if you have to change any.

The cooling fan is controlled by the computer, which quits sending power to the fan for some reason with age , and causes overheating and engine damage. Most convert to a manual switch or aftermarket fan controler. Watch temp like a hawk if you buy one.

Fuel pump if it has alot miles on it, front wheel hub bearings the same.

Auto trans: I got about 139 k out of the first one, sometimes the lockup solenoid goes bad and will stall the car out on a stop. Passenger side axle seal takes a lot a wear and starts leaking also. As long as the trans has regular filter changes, it will last. First to go is reverse , so a rebuild will be needed if that happens. ( Or like me , just drive it for 7 months with no reverse)

I can't comment on V6 or Standard trans ones , bit I'ved owned many 60* V6 GM products and they ran good with no problems.

Body /Interior : cheap interior plastic so keep it out of the sun and heat if possible , same with the tail lights , they have glass headlights so you are good. Clearcoat fades in the sun easy too, and the body metal is real thin also .

Mine has 154k on it , runs like a sewing machine, but the body is rotted on the floors, A pilar's and front roof. I seen plenty with over 230k on them.

Hopes this helps, I've owned mine almost 11 years and it was my daily driver untill recently now that I'm retired. Was my farm vehicle , also used to pull out damage from buildings from hurricane Maria , farm watering hoses from fields , etc.

Doug in P.R.

Oh thank you so much! I'm currently in the military and I'm doing classes (probably at this base for 2 years) and I just wanted something that would be able to last me until then and possibly afterwards, depending on where I get stationed. The seller says that there is a newly repaired radiator, new alternator, and new serpentine belt. It's an automatic 4 cyl. He also claims it has 53000 miles on it, which seems very low but apparently it was a barn find and he fixed it up. I drove a BMW back at home and getting parts for it on the stateside was pretty much impossible... So one thing I'm looking for is part availability around where I am, and from what I've seen online this one is pretty good.

 

[92 Sunbird LE]

Your welcome, thank you for your service, forgot to mention , some of 1.8 and 2.0 OHC had head porus casting problems, so beware of you starting seeing smoke out the tailpipe, but since the one you mention its a 94 , you should be good, also run at least synethic blend oil in the engine, saves the cam from wear. ( Cams can only be found overseas in Europe) OHC's were designed there and we're first installed in Opel's in the 70's and are still in use today in the new GM cars here in the US. ) It was even used in Izuzus trucks too back in the late 90's /early 2000's. GM 's longest lasting 4 cylinder program!

Timing belt change is like 50 - 60k miles, have to look at my owners manual to be sure.

Doug in P.R

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[92 Sunbird LE]

Yes, 60k on the timing belt change....

Doug in P.R.