Ed Xr8

[StealthAu]

Hey people, I'm looking at buying an ED XR8 sedan this week, it's got 180k on the clock, completly stock untouched in and out. Is there anything I should look out for whith these cars, common faults or anything?

[MotherNatureVer2]

Just the usual things like hoses and belts. They are a great car.

[bentles]

Originally Posted by stockoau

Is there anything I should look out for whith these cars, common faults or anything?

yeh theres a major problem on these from factory.. its called an automatic transmission.
get a t5 if you can

[Dezza]

If it's an auto, make sure the gear changes are smooth, and don't thump. Make sure the aircon and heater work properly.

+ I agree with bentles. Manual FTW

[70caprigt3k]

Check to make sure the rubber damper isnt hanging out of the harmonic balancer and that the balancer itself hasn't spun.

[Hybrid34]

Another MAJOR thing you need to look at, if theres anyleaks along side the engine, eg; white, greenish brownish stuff leaking on the side of the block, usually a sign of a cracked head or corroded head, and llook at the welsh plugs, if their rusty, then you'll be up aroound $800 - $1000 to fix it all, I made the mistake when buying my ed xr and having limmited knowledge

[Hybrid34]

Oh sorry, btw, also look on the internet for like "things to look out for" if you pm me, i have a whole list of things to look out for when buying a car, from gaps in the body work, rust, oil filter all that stuff, hope thishelps
- Ash

[bentles]

Originally Posted by Hybrid34

Another MAJOR thing you need to look at, if theres anyleaks along side the engine, eg; white, greenish brownish stuff leaking on the side of the block, usually a sign of a cracked head or corroded head, and llook at the welsh plugs, if their rusty, then you'll be up aroound $800 - $1000 to fix it all, I made the mistake when buying my ed xr and having limmited knowledge

welsh plugs are $2.50 each and get kev to do it

mine was just done by pat...
UNBAN PAT

[Christiaan]

Originally Posted by bentles

welsh plugs are $2.50 each and get kev to do it

mine was just done by pat...
UNBAN PAT

Welsch plugs on a V8 = Son of a *****. I6 = $50 DIY job.

Check the water pump/timing case for water leaks, as it is a weak spot on the engines... And as said, check the welsch plugs/side of block.

Check the coolant header tank for the colour of the water. It should be a nice green colour, not brown/sludgy.

Check the oil, make sure it's not black. It should be a nice dark caramel colour. And it should be roughly full (these engines are not known to use oil at 180,000km, but check anyway)

My EL XR8 had a busted heater core at 160,000km's, noticable by the coolant smell through the heater when it was on. So after taking the car for a drive, put the heater on full and make sure you can't smell any engine/coolant smells. It means bad problems later.

Jack the rear of the car up, and look at the diff. Make sure there's no leaks. If you can, jack one side of the back of the car up, so that one rear tyre is firmly on the ground, and the other is in the air. Use a tyre lever, and put it on one of the wheel nuts on the tyre in the air, and try to turn the wheel. It should take a fair amount of effort to turn the wheel because of the LSD. Actual amount is ~120NM torque required to turn one side of an LSD diff. But if you can do it really easily, the diff is probably shagged, which can be annoying/costly.

Other than that they are a bullet proof car. If it's an AUTO, it may have a dipstick near for the transmissin near the firewall. Check the fluid if you can, should be nice and red and not smell burnt. If it doesn't have a dip stick, make sure it shifts smoothly.

Good luck with it all

[bentles]

oh shoot didnt realise v8 my bad sorry

[banarcus]

With the V8 itself, you will find that it would have had much less work on it than that of the ED 4litre six, eg blown head gaskets, leaky timing chain cover, idle pulley etc. My ED V8 has had problems that are only specific to ED Falcons in general such as a major auto malfunction due to bodgy inhibitor switch. The engine itself is no heart starter but it is very reliable. Others have had issues with the MAF and and the EGR but really, you will end up spending a fortune on it when the performance bug bites because the whole top of the engine needs to come off and replaced to make it go like a proper V8 should.

[svo347]

2 large problems they suffer from....
pulling the clutch cable thru the firewall check for cracks etc.
Clutch pedal pivot breaking away from the supporting pedal box bracket a real pain in the a$$ to get to and fix... ohhhh lastly the recirc blend door linkage has a tendancy to snap and stick on fresh otherwise a good car

[StealthAu]

Its an auto, shifts nicely. no leaks, slight knock in the **** end but not consitstant and dosn't seem to be coming from the diff. My guess is needs some new bushes or something, but its in great nick otherwise. 100% stock, even has the factory cassette player

[mcflux]

Inconsistenr knock in the rear? Do you mean as in random, or only happens at a particular speed or when turning a corner, or when accelerating, etc etc etc?

[StealthAu]

When going over bumps and what not. I'm prettey sure its just a bush or something simple by the sounds of it.

[mcflux]

I think you're on the right track there.

[Sundeep]

Most commonly, inconsistent knocks will be the exhaust hitting the diff or the like.

I've had 2 EB's and the main problems have been PINGING.

Make sure it doesn't ping.

Sundeep