Hello everyone,

So I checked out a 2001 GPW yesterday. It is a very good deal for me, clean title and 90k miles. However, the CEL is brightly lit, the seller said its for a random misfire. He isn't really a mechanic so he has no idea what could be wrong. We test drove the car, no engine rattles or knocks. The engine sounds and idles fine too. My plan is to go to a garage and do a compression test. Is this a easy fix? does any of you ever had this problem? I'm thinking its either the spark plugs or fuel injector but I'm no mechanic so I'm not exactly sure.

 

People sell cars with problems because they can't afford to fix them. Or, that owner doesn't care about a CEL enough to get it fixed, and doesn't really know what it is? No way i'd buy that car without figuring out what the problem is, or from someone who didn't care about a CEL - what else did they neglect on the car?

It may be as simple as a bad plug or ignitor, but get the engine running correctly before you by the whole car.

 

do compression and leakdown.... if those pass... then id buy it, worst case scenario at that point would most likely be a coil or two or plugs....

make sure you bargain the hell outta that price though since yuor buying a broken car!!

also dont forget misfires make catalytic converters go bad fast so if its not equipped with a test pipe, expect that cat to go bad soon.... which will mean buying a HFC TP or a new cat O_o!!

 

i'd demand him to knock a grand off the price..

 

That will not be enough to fix the motor if the head is the source of the miss fire. compression Text and Leak down test will confirm that the problem is not there. So get it tested, and if it passes those two tests, then have him knock a grand off. If it fails, walk away.

 

seriously though.. hes right... if it passes both those tests... then negotiate from there... you could potentially be spending 500+ dollars fixing a random misfire between plugs and a coil or two even if you do your own work....

care to share the specs and price on this car? maybe if we knew how much it was and mileage condition we could assist you further in your decision?

 

yeah, i think its a pretty good deal and the price is firm.

2001 GPW clean title 90k no accidents, $8000

 

OP, sorry to be so blunt, but give your head a shake!

Go find a different one.

 

I'm okay with the price long as the repair cost doesn't exceed $600.

Looks like I'll do just that, a compression leakdown test. how much does it usually for run?

 

eeekkk... 01 GPW for 8 grand with less than 100k!

do a compression and leakdown, if those pass... buy buy buy!

expect to pay a shop 150-200 to perform those tests for you. make sure its a reputable place that will actually do them properly and not lie to you.