Purchasing a 1996 Miata with an issue
 

Hi all,

I am thinking of purchasing a 1996 Miata (1.8) that in the description of it, it says:

" Blown Head - Coolant hose burst on highway and cooked the head. The car was babied, I just got really unlucky. Still starts and runs, but doesn’t run well and has a major coolant leak. "



I went to see the car, and it seems alright except for this problem. Before I continue with the purchase, I want to know the answers to these questions:

1. Does any of you know to estimate the cost of such a repair? I know I don't have much details to work with, but based on the description, rough estimate.
   
2. And would you purchase such a car knowing it has such a problem?
   
3. How should I check a used car with an engine problem? Taking it to the auto-care can be a problem, would towing it is an option? Should I pay for towing it to the auto-care?
   

Thank you all for your help!

Comment

I'd buy it on the assumption it needs a new engine. If it has been overheated that badly, the head may be cracked and the rings may have lost tension. If you don;t want to deal with finding and installing another engine, let it go.

What are your mechanical abilities? Ever taken a head off or done a timing belt job? Lots of DIY help on here if you search and read. You may be able to have it back on the road for < $500 if the head isn’t too jacked up, you do the labor yourself, have a machine shop resurface it, put on a new timing belt, and then change coolant and oil (you drain them first). My ballpark would be $500 parts/supplies/machining + $750 labor. Also depends on where you are, what network you have and if you choose to replace some more stuff while doing this job.

I don't have much mechanical knowledge, but I am very eager to learn and I love doing stuff myself, I guess I'll be fine with fixing the engine myself. I guess I will go for the purchase, knowing that I will be doing the job myself. The only issue, however, is buying all the tools for the job..

The head is toast, warped. I’ve done this exact fix on a similar “babied” Miata. Low mileage, so the owner thinks it’s a peach, but leaks everywhere and not maintained well. Plan on replacing the head, head gasket, all rubber hoses, timing belt, water pump, and engine seals.

This. Plus also probably wanna do the radiator while the cooling system is empty since its probably the original if it was "babied" and the oem plastic has the structural integrity of a fortune cookie 23 years later.

I see, what is a good place to purchase new head and all the required parts? And how much your estimate is for the cost?

Thanks

Take the old head off and take it to a machine shop and tell them to test it. For a few dollars you might find that it is still usable. Let them know it came off of an overheated engine. They will know what to check.

Doing radiator, hoses, seals, timing belt, and assosiated maintinance things, plan on ~$300-400 in parts. Then any repairs to the head on top of that.

Morters- where are you located? Budget and goals for the project are pertinent to get advice that’s in accordance with them There’s a Miata network in every part of the US (and across the globe). Suggest you consider taking someone with you that will know what they are looking at. The speculation comments about the head, parts and pieces, etc. you have heard so far are not really speculative. These guys have been there, seen it, and done it many, many times. Basic tools from Harbor Freight is all that’s needed for most everything if you have a really tight budget.

Which is still easy as shit and cheap as hell to fix