Looking to buy a GTS and saw this today

[Luisv]

Hello all... I joined a while back but just now am getting serious about getting a Viper. I am looking for a Gen II. I am looking more for a coupe. I have some preferences but am not tied to any one color combo. Also, not particularly one to worry about repairs/restorations/upgrades. We are currently in the midst of a restoration. A 1977 Vette that we took to the chassis and are now reassembling. In short, I am not worried about a little work if I can save money in the purchase. Ultimately, I will upgrade the engine, suspension and brakes... So I don't need a perfect car... But I don't want a disaster either...

So that brings me to this... I saw a 2001 GTS in yellow today in Miami. Higher mileage, better than expected interior, very good body and paint. They did some crappy bubba level installation of the navi/stereo but nothing that can't be taken out or resolved.

The issue I have is the following. While the exterior and interior where good they clearly never worried about the engine bay.... A crime. So what I have is this.

What can cause this? Overheated? Lack of care? Some stupid guy with harsh cleaners?... What gives? What do you all think? Do you see anything missing?

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

You must be registered for see images attach

Give me feedback.... I would really appreciate it...

 

[AFL in NJ]

There are a few threads on here about powder-coating the valve covers and it appears some new AB's wires might be needed as well. Both are not highly expensive items, just a little careful wrenching. (you'll likely change the plugs when you put new wires and I'm warning you now, don't have young children around while you're working on the passenger side plug closest to the firewall (I believe it's #10))

My valve covers are pretty good with 84k on my Viper ACR, but the passenger side valve cover has one piece of paint coming loose. I'll likely pickup a spare set from one of the few vendors who deal in used parts, powder coat the valve covers I get from that vendor, then just take an extra hour next time I swap plugs. Then I'll get the set that are currently on my Viper powder-coated and box em up for the next time I swap them.

If I was to guess, I'd say those valve covers had a harsh cleaner used on them.

Regards,
Aaron

 

[Bird325]

Every Gen II that I've seen that's been driven has some evidence of bubbling paint on the valve covers. The only exception has been those that have been reworked. Don't cut corners on the powder coating as a special prep process has to be followed by a person that knows what they are doing.

That number 10 plug is a bugger, but a little patience and a lot of unsuitable language combined with busted knuckles will usually work. Good luck on your project. With the right car to work on, it will all pay off.

 

[Luisv]

Wow quick answers... You guys rock. Luckily, I have a great powder coater. He did the work on my supercharger plumbing on my 2010 Charger SRT... It's been in for 50k miles so I know he can do great work. He also did the chassis on the Vette....

So given that, it's good news... Anything else?... I saw the surface corrosion on a crossmember (in one of the photos)... I would imagine this is expected... I also saw some surface corrosion on the gas cap... Polishing resolves this... So.... Nothing under the hood visually surprises you guys?

 

[2000_Black_RT10]

I would assume that the car lived in a salty humid environment, galvanic corrosion, and probably spent it's life near an oceanside beach under a cover outdoors...

My car is very nice under the hood, no bubbling valve covers whatsover... like I mentioned in another post, it'd be best to find a car further up North, less exposure to UV degradation on plastic parts also (sagging fascias, etc..), but unfortunately for us further up North, we have shorter seasons to drive our cars...

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Darth Menace]

Wow quick answers... You guys rock. Luckily, I have a great powder coater. He did the work on my supercharger plumbing on my 2010 Charger SRT... It's been in for 50k miles so I know he can do great work. He also did the chassis on the Vette....

So given that, it's good news... Anything else?... I saw the surface corrosion on a crossmember (in one of the photos)... I would imagine this is expected... I also saw some surface corrosion on the gas cap... Polishing resolves this... So.... Nothing under the hood visually surprises you guys?

My personal opinion...i dont see anything that would worry me. You said it was higher mileage so a bit of ageing would be expected. As long as you are willing to do a bit of work, and the price is right...i'd go for it if i were you.

Also, unless they have been redone, I would feel safe betting that most of our gas caps are somewhat corroded now.

 

[klamathpro]

I would like to know how much he's asking and how many miles. If we're talking 85k+ miles for $35k, walk away. If we're talking 60k miles for $30k, heck yeah.

 

[Luisv]

It has 65k miles... Asking $33k... I would imagine it can be negotiated...

My wife would prefer an ACR at $40 to $44.... Is it worth the extra money for the ACR? What is the actual suspension difference? In the end the engine differences are an intake and slightly better tune.... Right?

 

[Mad Max]

That number 10 plug is a bugger, but a little patience and a lot of unsuitable language combined with busted knuckles will usually work.

I took the air box off the car and the #10 plug was one of the easier ones to change.

My 98 GTS spent it's 1st 10 years in Florida and the valve covers still look good.

 

[Darth Menace]

I'm always confused seeing this about that spark plug. I'm not a mechanic by any stretch, but I changed thespark plugs a few weeks ago and everything went flawless. It was so fast and easy. I guess I got lucky for once

 

[Stonep185]

Its a 10 hp gain in an acr.. Its suspension mainly. A good exhaust system will get you 50+ on a gts. Its worth the money if you want a rare car.

My valve covers have some small bubbles but that is typical of our cars. My first thought on those valve covers is a strong cleaner doubled with a pressure washer! We can see how that turned out!

 

[Stonep185]

I had the same experience of changing my plugs. Take that air box off (4 screws) and its easier than the drivers side!

 

[VIPER GTSR 91]

Run away from this car as there are too many in pristine shape to buy.

 

[gutterworks129]

Looks like it was packed in rock-salt, snake jerky!

 

[blackandblue01]

If your really nervous, you could always contact some members in that area and see if one of them would be willing to look it over with you. Never hurts to ask.

 

[DrTaco]

When you find the right car you'll know it. If you have doubts, move along until the next one. PLENTY of perfect cars out there and when it gets closer to winter you'll see the prices drop even more

 

[96GTS]

Also, see if there are any other Viper owners in the area that might know the car. If you're serious about the car, just straight up ask the owner what happned to the valve covers. I've used the wrong product for cleaning, so if that's what happenend to this car I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor. If it was otherwise maintained properly I'd get it. Check the brake fluid to see if it looks more like Coke than it does apple juice. If so, they probably didn't keep it up as well as they should have. Perhaps get another Viper owner to take a look at it with you.

 

[BlknBlu]

You may want to check if there is any evidence of the car was possibly being under water at some point.

Bruce

 

[VYPR BYT 94]

It doesn't mean it was neglected... it have been one that was just poorly prepped before coating.
It happens.

Mike

 

[AZTVR]

Run away from this car as there are too many in pristine shape to buy.

If you have doubts, move along until the next one. PLENTY of perfect cars out there and when it gets closer to winter you'll see the prices drop even more

And, the prices are dropping on this club member's car as the posts roll in now !!! I hope that when I go to sell, the person that is interested in buying my car doesn't ask questions on this site. Mine is prettier than the one pictured; but it is not the garage queen that lots of the folks here demand. It does get thumbs up by regular , non-Viper owners, though.


To the OP: I bought some used Viper valve covers that looked exactly like the ones pictured. I doubt that there are any "stories" invoved, and one of the site vendors does a core exchange on newly powder coated covers in the correct color to match the intake.

 

[Venomiss]

Call Ivan ** the VCA South Florida Regional President or David Ivler the VP.

Doug Levin from Doug Levin Motorsports near Miami might be another call to see if they know this Viper by chance.

 

[Luisv]

And, the prices are dropping on this club member's car as the posts roll in now !!! I hope that when I go to sell, the person that is interested in buying my car doesn't ask questions on this site. Mine is prettier than the one pictured; but it is not the garage queen that lots of the folks here demand. It does get thumbs up by regular , non-Viper owners, though.

To the OP: I bought some used Viper valve covers that looked exactly like the ones pictured. I doubt that there are any "stories" invoved, and one of the site vendors does a core exchange on newly powder coated covers in the correct color to match the intake.

OK... It was not my intention to make a price drop on a member's car. I don't know if they were a member. I was simply asking a question. It was a matter of not having a contact to ask so I posted here. In the end... this was not the car for me...

Moving on though...

Call Ivan ** the VCA South Florida Regional President or David Ivler the VP.

Doug Levin from Doug Levin Motorsports near Miami might be another call to see if they know this Viper by chance.

I will MOST DEFINATELY be making those calls. Why?... I found my Viper! I just bought a pristine 2002 Final Edition! I'll post it soon!

Thanks to everyone for the answers... I appreciate it and am happy to know folks on the forum help!

 

[MoparBoyy]

i have done plugs on many Gen2.. what are you people talking about? these are prolly the easiest plugs to do. try doing a Hemi Durango and you'll see what hard to reach plugs is like.

 

[AZTVR]

OK... It was not my intention to make a price drop on a member's car. I don't know if they were a member. I was simply asking a question. It was a matter of not having a contact to ask so I posted here.

My comment was not directed to you. You were asking a very reasonable question. The guys that said move on and find a pristine car definitely have a right to express their opinion. I saw you as the OP saying that you had no problem with non-pristine cars, and you might have been the perfect match for a car that needs a little TLC. I am surprised when folks on this site, tell people to walk away from fellow owner's cars, when there is only some cosmetic issues that are most likely offset by purchase price.

In any event, congratulations on your new to you Viper ! It is a great experience for a car guy !

 

[AZTVR]

i have done plugs on many Gen2.. what are you people talking about?

I totally agree ! You do need to remove 4 screws and remove the plastic air box for the cabin air intake in order to easily access #10 plug; but, that only adds 3.5 minutes to the job.

 

[CEJ]

I will MOST DEFINATELY be making those calls. Why?... I found my Viper! I just bought a pristine 2002 Final Edition! I'll post it soon!

Thanks to everyone for the answers... I appreciate it and am happy to know folks on the forum help!

Congrats on finding a FE! Looking forward to your pictures, and spend some time searching through the Forums here about maintenance items, stuff to do on your Viper, and events in your area.

 

[CEJ]

I totally agree ! You do need to remove 4 screws and remove the plastic air box for the cabin air intake in order to easily access #10 plug; but, that only adds 3.5 minutes to the job.

Agree 100 percent...very easy but that hvac air box must be removed.