What to look for - Buying a gem

This Forum is here for FAQ’s that are regularly asked throughout the forum. It’s here mainly for the new comers to read over before posting questions.
If someone wishes to add information to a specific topic here, please PM’s a Mod or Admin member to have it viewed and added (if thought to be relevant).

Germinator
Long Term Member
Posts: 5903
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:13 pm
Location: Albury/Wodonga
Contact:

Post by Germinator »

OZGEMINI FORUMS - MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION AGREEMENT

IMPORTANT! The email address you register will be used for account activation. Therefore make sure you use a valid email address or you will not be able to access your account

A note to potential spammers: Ozgemini has been modified with many anti-spam measures. As such it is impossible for you to post spam links or gain search engine standings using ozgemini. Please save our time and yours by not registering.

Forum Disclaimer: While the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to remove or edit any generally objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message. Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to these forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.

All technical data and/or advice is that of the author and not the administrators, moderators or webmaster (except for posts by these people) and is provided as is and is not verified. Therefore you acknowledge that all technical data and/or advice is provided as a guide only and you agree any action taken or omitted to be taken in reliance on it is your own responsibility and not that of the author, administrators, moderators or webmaster.

You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned (and your service provider being informed). The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. You agree that the webmaster, administrator and moderators of this forum have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic at any time should they see fit. As a user you agree to any information you have entered above being stored in a database. While this information will not be disclosed to any third party without your consent the webmaster, administrator and moderators cannot be held responsible for any hacking attempt that may lead to the data being compromised.

This forum system uses cookies to store information on your local computer. These cookies do not contain any of the information you have entered above; they serve only to improve your viewing pleasure. The e-mail address is used only for confirming your registration details and password (and for sending new passwords should you forget your current one).

Additional rules and guidelines are located at the top of the tech and non-tech forums and can be accessed in a new window now by clicking here. By clicking Register below you agree to be bound by these conditions.




FORUM RULES

This is a private forum and membership is at the absolute discretion of the Forum Owner / Administrator.

Users are permitted to register one username only.

Freedom of speech is a fallacy.

Posts that are rude, offensive, insulting, or slanderous are forbidden and will be deleted.

If you are moderated and you wish to discuss it, email the moderators or the administrator. Their email addresses are clearly visible.

If you have concerns with a post made in the forum by any member, email the moderators or the administrator. Their email addresses are clearly visible.

Stirring trouble in the forums will result in a cancelled membership in this, & affiliated forums.

No Political, Racist or Religious comments or threads.

No calling people out. eg starting a thread to ask something of someone, you have Private Messaging for that.

Likewise, no personal conversations back and forth between 2 members, MSN is perfect for that.

Forum Owner / Administrator reserves the right to modify forum rules as and when deemed necessary. Such rules will be binding for all members.

Your email will be visible to everyone.

No post whoring

Do Not Post porn



NOTE: a 3 strike your out system will be used for offenders.

3 warnings on ANY of the above matters will get you a week’s ban. Repeat offence will me 1 month, repeat offence after this will get your account banned. Un-bannings will be possible through explanations, bribes and/or donations to the site (each containing there merits and how much we like you)
Last edited by Germinator on Sun Apr 29, 2012 8:58 pm, edited 1 time in total.
.

I do not give permission for anyone to reproduce content from my posts.
Reposting any of my forum posts (or substantial parts thereof) breaches the copyright act.
geminiv6turboute
Long Term Member
Posts: 823
Joined: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:44 pm
Location: Brisbane North Side

Post by geminiv6turboute »

Bugle wrote:Rust down the bottom of the front a pillars. If there's any bubbling in the paint on the corner it's going to be rusted through, and will probably be completely rusted away at the hidden bit behind the guard. Pretty structurally important piece.
If the bottoms of the front guards are rusted out then all the stuff behind it probably is rusted as well.

If the car has aircon it hides the firewall underneath the big box, if leaves and stuff get there it's hard to see and clean and it causes rust so look under the dash inside the car to see if there's any rust holes there.

Window mounting spots can be checked for rust holes by feeling along them from the engine bay and boot. Not possible to check some of the front one though because of the blower and aircon if it has it.

Where the rear beaver meets the rear guards above the tail lights there's a big gap and if it isn't sealed and painted properly it rusts.

Under brake master cylinder if it's been leaking there will be rust on the chassis rail.. Should be able to see it with a torch.

Boot lids rust a bit where the skin meets the inner at the back edge.
also with panel vans and wagons check for rust under the fuel tank(you won't be able to see if its rusted under the actual tank but stick your head under the floor and see if there is any rust coming through). :wink:
jayse
Chatterbox
Posts: 96
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 6:20 pm
Location: Qld

Post by jayse »

rust:
behind the taillights, where there bolted into place
bumper mounts
front of the bonnet (tc)
heater vent (engine bay to cabin)

also take the oil cap off, run ur finger (clean finger) on the inside, check for dirt, metal shavings, odd coloured s*#t (or milky)

look for wet/fresh oil on the block, around the manifolds etc
Jet-PilotTD
Regular
Posts: 105
Joined: Sun Nov 08, 2009 8:12 pm
Location: Capalaba, Brisbane

Post by Jet-PilotTD »

dont forget a BOG tap
Check all common rust places and give them a tap, depending on where u tap u will want a hollow sound for example a door, boot or under the window is hollow if u tap and hear a solid sound or sign of a doggy paint touch up could most probley have bog in it
You And I And Gemini
If it wasn't for bad luck id have no luck at all...
Image
tobytj
Long Term Member
Posts: 1881
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:46 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by tobytj »

Head Damage:

Good original heads are getting rarer as most have had repair work to corroded water gallaries. If your seller is telling you that the head gasket just needs replacing or has just been replaced - factor in that it needs a new head.

If the head has been reconditioned by a reputable workshop it will have a disc glued to one of the welsh plugs -usually the back one. The glue melts if the head is has been cooked so the shop can tell if the failure is a warranty job or not.

If the engine is dripping/seeping coolant from between the block and the head then the head has been cooked and warped.

Front Suspension

jack the front up with two jacks under the wishbones (lower control arms) - not the cross member.

Grab each wheel and shake from side to side. Excess movement will be ball joints or rack ends - failures in both are common but an easy fix. Check the rack boots for tears
Grab the top and bottom of the wheel and shake. Excess movement is normally top of bottom ball joint . Can also be loose wheel bearings so tighten them and retry. Top ball joints are easy but bottom ball joints exceed many owners ability to replace.

Push the wheel (rather than shake ) fore and aft to check for movement in the control arm bushes.

Radiator

Check that the radiator has coolant that is green and not browny-green. Look for rust like stains arounf the tank and core.
Use a thin wire and pass it through the cap opening and down one of the cores. It should be clean when you remove it and not covered in brown gunk.
Poor condition radiators are a good indicator of poor condition engines.

Engine Servicing

Remove the oil filler and run your finger around the underside of the rocker cover. If you get a thick brown milky deposit on your finger it is an old /poorly services engine or has water leakage issues. A small amount amount of gunk is normal for an older engine.

Terminal Rust

Most rust spots in a gemini can be repaired with amig and some time. But if you rust in the front chasis rail (where it curves to meet the sill) - walk away.
tobytj
Long Term Member
Posts: 1881
Joined: Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:46 pm
Location: Brisbane

Post by tobytj »

tobytj wrote:Head Damage:

Excess movement will be ball joints or rack ends - .
Sorry not ball joints - tie rod ends
Germinator
Long Term Member
Posts: 5903
Joined: Sun Jul 09, 2006 6:13 pm
Location: Albury/Wodonga
Contact:

Post by Germinator »

Just mention as well, often what is diagnosed as shot tie rods turns out to be shot rack bush (on the passenger side). Check it by loosening the left side rack boot then turn the steering full left lock. Feel the rack end as you move it by hand fore and aft, up and down. Movement of the rack end in relation to the rack housing indicates a worn rack bush. It's far more common than people realise. Once it's loose, it rapidly wears the tie rods so if you find yours are wearing and need replacing every year or two, check the rack!
.

I do not give permission for anyone to reproduce content from my posts.
Reposting any of my forum posts (or substantial parts thereof) breaches the copyright act.
Buggzy
Long Term Member
Posts: 1401
Joined: Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:58 pm
Location: Ballarat

Post by Buggzy »

always check boot and floor pans for rust... lift up carpet and rubber and check by hitting with a screw driver.... you will be supprised. :wink:
Boostin for lyfe!
Why_gemini
Regular
Posts: 256
Joined: Wed Dec 16, 2009 7:49 pm
Location: Endeavour Hills, Melbourne

Post by Why_gemini »

as someone has previously mentioned??

Open up the boot and have a look at where the wheel arches are on both sides, and check if the panel has separated from the seams, if so than the car has been involved in some sort of accident(not major damage/ passes a roadworthy), and check all doors for any bends (open and close each door to see if they close without having to force them shut) if they do force slightly.... again its been in an accident!

RUST: (sedan)

- Engine bay - top left (on the side of the heater tube)
- top right (same position as left side)

- Window Sills (front/Back screens corner)

- Bottom of doors and door sills

- Boot floor (double check spare wheels wells)

RUST: (wagon/van)

- Engine bay - top left (on the side of the heater tube)
- top right (same position as the left side)

- Window sills (front/back screen corners, also rear side window corners)

- Bottom of doors and door sills

- Boot (around fuel tank/ Shocker mounts/ spare wheel well)

- Rear beaver panel

Cheers
:D
Post Reply