Valver Problems

[donsrno1]

Could somebody give me an idea of what the most common problems are with valvers and also when things like the cambelt and clutch etc should be replaced in terms of milage. I might be looking at some valvers soon and just wanted to know what things to look out for and what things should have been changed.

I know there is no sure answer to the things that could go wrong but I would like to have an idea so that I can check if they have been done. What sort of milage can valvers reach and still be prety reliable.

I would love to get one but the reliability is putting me off as I wouldnt be able to afford huge repair bills.

Dave.

 

[Daz]

Cambelt is 72k or 5 years - whichever is sooner. Having tensioners done at same time would be ideal.


Steering column gets worn and play in steering develops
Power steering pump is noisy.. this is normal though unless its silly noisy
Sunroof can leak.. 90% chance it will if it aint been fixed.
Clutch go about 90k normally. If its stupidly stiff, it will need changing else youll go through cables like anything.
There are loads of things to check. Most are pretty much things youd look on any car. Depending how you look at it, you should be able to get a good idea of how its been looked after. Even if it doesnt have SH or many receipts, it can be pretty clear.

Bear in mind it took me about 18months to find my Williams, and buying it is the same as a Valver.. so you can be picky if you want and wait ages.. guessing most people arnt tho, hehe.


If you get one which is problematic mechanically, it will annoy you. They arnt cheap at all.. mainly because anything under the bonnet is a damn long job - quite a few bits which would need doing require the engine to be out.


Best advice is take someone with you. If Mat didnt go with me, Id have probably bought anything. Two people can spot a lot more than just one so its definetly worth it.


You could look at Mats 2.0 16v.

Had a lot of the major stuff done (cambelt, clutch etc..) so good to go. You also get the added bonus of a 58k Williams engine..

http://www.dazjw.eclipse.co.uk/mat/forsale/2lclio/http://www.dazjw.eclipse.co.uk/mat/forsale/2lclio/

 

[DAVE_RSi]

buy my rsi

98k on the clock

but its just had, cambelt changed, head gasket changed

full mot
great tyres all round
new brake pads
coolant changed not long ago
oil and filter change
air filter changed

urs for £1600 and almost keeps up with valvers

+ pro window tints
15" wolfrace alloy wheels,
lowered 35mm

perfect for ya

also sunroof has been fixed so it doesnt leak

 

[Tom_16v]

Just make sure you buy a good one thats been well looked after.

 

[Winston]

buy one with loads of receipts and history.....buy the best you can find

 

[donsrno1]

The problem I have is that I only have about £1300 to play with just now but that could change depending on a few things. I have just phoned a guy about one on Autotrader and tbh it sounds quite good. It doesnt have FSH but he said that it appears to have been well looked after, it had new rear arches welded on last year and a full respray. The clutch, head gasket and timing belt were also replaced last year. The car is currently on 124,000 miles and he says there are no apparent problems with the car.

The thing is that its a garage somwhere in east yorkshire and he normally sells newer cars and he says he just wants rid of it. For all the work mentioned above he says there are no receipts so he cant guarantee it all but that the clutch seems good (no slipping and good bite) and that he was only told about the work after he agreed to take the car as a trade in so the previous owner never had anything to gain from saying that and that thre are no receipts because the work was done cash in hand. The car has about 1 months tax and is getting a new MOT before sale.

He says that the previous owener also claimed that the car is superchipped and that it has had some work done on the cams. The car also has a full S/S exhaust and a K+N filter. TBH it sounds like the car is mint and has been looked after well. If I were located closer to East Yorkshire I would love to go and have a look but as things stand it might be a bit far off as I am based in edinburgh - unless some nice cliosporter wants to go and have a look for me and report back.

The car was advertised as coming with 17" alloys for £1295 but they are no longer with the car (removed to get through the MOT) and it now has phase two standard valver alloys. I dont think the guy realises the potential value of the car and just wants rid of it and by simply asking if the price could be dropped because of the lack of 17" alloys he came down to £1000 I reckon I could get the price lowered even more. He sounded quite shocked to hear someone from scotland phoning about the car.

What do you think of this?

 

[donsrno1]

anyone got any opinion on this car?

 

[Daz]

If you dont mind paint (its had a respray), ...its up to you. It might have been modded so youd have to find to what extent it has.. and who by etc..

Its very difficult to tell without seeing it. Youll never actually know unless you go and view, IMO.