I was looking at buying a 97 range rover with 114k miles on it however the heater core and oxygen sensor have to be replaced. The owner states that they dont HAVE to be replaced asap but they are not functioning. Can that be possible?
I've priced the components but I want to get a gauge on the seller. Is this on the up and up?

 

I'm back and forth on it..

With a poor O2 sensor the vehicle is drive-able, but not only will you be wasting gas by running rich, but you're risking damaging the catalytic converters (not cheap at all). As for the heater core, that depends on what the problem with it is. If it is clogged and not moving coolant the way it should, you're risking not cooling the engine (very bad). I'd say the seller is just trying to get rid of the vehicle, and is telling you partial truths (while what he said is TECHINICALLY ok....yea..).

It would make me very suspicious of other potential problems with the Rover. Unless of course it's strictly a cost standpoint that is keeping him from repairing those two problems...but then again, you have to guess he's been driving it for a while with those faults as well..

 

You need to find out if the heater core is leaking or what, if it is leaking, you can be looking in the near $2000 range to replace it.

 

you can bypass the heater core by just routing the hose back to the engine input instead of going through the core. We did that once when we were on a family trip but really froze when night came. hard to fix it if it's buried under the A/C plumbing.

o2 can be a bad job too if the exhaust studs are rusted/broken/frozen. spray it down with penetrating oil a few times a few days leading up to the change. You might need to remove the y-pipe to change it.

There's got to be another thing wrong with it too ...

good luck -- I'd double your estimates and subtract those from your offer.

 

^^^ Good advice!

 

I passed on it. But I did price a heater core and I could have sworn they ran about $500, why 2k to replace it? Just curious!

 

You essentially have to remove the entire dash to get to the heater core, and even with the dash disassembled it's not easy to get to. Also a heater core replacement usually includes a flush (160+).