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[quote=Rivertowntalk;43837549]So, the light is on, as mentioned in your original post, but you did not mention if the van is actually is running poorly. Does it actually have symptoms of a misfire, or is the light just on? What were the results of the compression test? Is it for certain losing compression in cylinder number 4? Has it overheated recently? If it happened to be a bad head gasket, I would fix it. If there is damage to the cylinder, I would want to know more about what that and why there is damage.[
She does not run poorly. During the summer months we do a lot of driving in it , and never has she failed us. The only time we had a problem with her was when the fuel pump gave up and the van wouldn't turn on , but once we replaced it she was back up and running.
According to the mechanic the piston is filling with oil and that is what is causing a misfire. I am sorry if that's that not enough information but that is what I understood.
Years ago in the boating industry I learned about doing a leak down test .
this is a regulated pressure applied to a cylinder that in the compression stroke stationary.
The rate of leak and listening to where the leak is coming from, tells you exactly where the failure is .
Compression tests are inconclusive and poor by comparison.
Find some one that actually knows how to do the leak don test .
Excessive air coming from the breather the rings and cylinder are damaged .
Air coming from the tail pipe the exhaust valve is leaking.
air coming from the carb /intake ,the intake valve is leaking .
air coming through the radiator(cap off) blown head gasket.
This test requires a leak down test tool and a real air compressor 4 CFM or better@100 PSI .
20% leak down is not bad , actually some what normal.
30% normal wear.
40% some serious issues generating.
50% or better the damage is extensive .
Something was mentioned about oil in the cylinder( unless some one put oil in the cylinder to try and increase the compression on that test) , it's possible that the valve seals are leaking after the engine shuts down.
But if there no smoking at acceleration from deceleration it's not the valve seals necessarily.
You might also find dealer mechanic and ask if there are some typical problems that engine had .
Sell it at one of those Tiny House auctions. If it's a conversion van you should be able to stand up in it. That's more than I can say about those 'Capsule Hotels" of which there was a thread on yesterday....
But seriously, I would do some more engine investigation, if it is running well it would be worth fixing (and if it had a true misfire, you would know as the van would bounce around under load - you would be able to hear it straining).
You've taken it to 2 different independent mechanics that both gave you the same opinion. The KBB value for a 7-8 passenger express van (not a conversion) for sale to a private party is about $4500, yours is a conversion van so it could be worth a little more, depending on condition. (and gas prices). So it's worth putting an engine in it, considering you got the van free. If the body and interior is in good condition, GM used to sell "target" engines, which were NEW replacement engines, if that's what you're quoted for the $3000, considering the low mileage, I'd get it done if it were mine.
3K sounds high. I think I could put a rebuilt engine in it for less than that. I KNOW I could in my vehicle in my area. Check with a local engine rebuilder.
So if you fix the engine will you get your money back? In other words, will it sell for less than 3K or more than 3K?
The answer to that question is the answer to your question.
The axiom, "Don't put more money into it than it is worth", only applies some of the time.
A car that doesn't run is worth zero. If it takes 500$ to make the car serviceable, and then the car is worth $1500, then it makes sense to fix it.
If the $3000 hit is the only non-routine money (routine being oil, brakes, tires, muffler, etc.) that you know it needs now and you want a conversion van, seems like an easy call to make for something that was free.
Get it thoroughly checked to make sure the transmission is fine, the steering rack is good, etc. You just put struts in.
As is, you can junk it or fix it. So to me, the real questions are:
"Do I want a conversion van?"
followed by,
"If yes, do I want *this* one; if no, do I need to replace it and at what cost?"
15 year old van needing motor? i'd say the vehicle has the potential to be a money pit even if you do put in the $3K repairs, hows the tires,transmission,cooling system,exhaust system,all the electrics?
If at the moment the only indicator of a problem is a check engine light i'd just put a piece of tape over that light and forget about it and drive the vehicle till it gives up the ghost..
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