Hi lads,
got a call yesterday saying the cosworth i have been intrested in is up for sale (i had a quick look one night at work in may and asked for first refusal).
the car is a big turbo one on a k plate, diamond white, hex cloth trim, milage is 40100, with extensive history to prove this.
alterations from standard are a stainless exhaust, k&n filter, stage 1 castle performance chip, morrettes, 18" avez a wheels and a carbon exhaust surround
most standard parts come with the car including a new gear gator and the plastic part around it? not sure what its called!
also has a new carbon splitter and hockey sticks still in the bag un used which will be included.
my dad has known the guy for many years, hes in his 40's and owned a sierra cosworth for 11 years before he got the escort!, hes an honest guy with nothing to hide.
what should i be looking out for when i veiw it next thursday?
so far i have, check the gear box shifts positive/no whining,
check rubber prob shaft joints
thats about it! are there any common rust areas? what should i be looking for on the engine/ test drive etc?
the car is always garaged, and any jobs done by trumona? in southampton, its had a new fuse box fitted and a full belt service!
thank you for any advice! i have wanted an escort since i was 12 years old! so i want to hold out for the right one!

 

usual stuff as far as i know mate. rust wise i think its round the fuel cap,possibly sunroof area,back panel(inside boot and outside where it meets rear qurters),inside engine bay ie wing to front panel etc,chassis rails always tend to go on these and sierras.

as for engine,check for lots of bubbles coming up in the header tank from the pipe,this could mean head gasket,obviously check the oil for mayo on the dip stick and the cap.check for smoke on the start up and under driving conditions(let off after a boostful as well as under load)these could be as simple as valve stems upto turbo or ring issues etc.depending on colour/and condition.
check for play in the turbo shaft too,1-2mm side to side is normal but any in and out is gonna be possible probs.while the pipe is off see if theres excess oil running through the pipe(could be turbo seals gone)there will always be a small trace due to its nature.
check for any grumbling down below in the engine,could be bearing on way out.any misses at any point during running.
check for vibrations when on the run,could be anywhere from discs to props depending.discs are common but easy to sort.if it shudders when under braking it could be warped discs or worn tca bushes.
check ALL the electrics,as escort mk5's are prone to faults.and you really dont want a break down at high speed happening as it could melt your engine.


theres probaly a host ive forgotten at the mo,but thta gets you started.and i will possibly be proved wrong on the odd bit as i own a sierra,but in essence they are the same.

the car you mention sounds looked after which is a good start though

good luck neil.

 

Hi Fella,

All the best with obtaining your Escort, I brought my first Escort in July this year from my day and waited 15 years to get her.

I would also check for the following as I have had a few problems with mine.

. Power Steering, turn from lock to lock, if your feel juddering this could be air in the system, or power steering pump failing

. Turn on the dash lights and make sure that they all light up green including the turbo pod, if there patchy or some brighter than the others, again this could be a number of faults, but dont worry, give Mike Rainbird a call, he is on the site and he can repair these, Like he has done with mine

.On rear whale Tale, you some times tend to get some bubbling on the paint, nothing to worry about, a good body shop can repair

. BIG ONE, DONT TAKE TO A FORD DEALER, WHO CLAIM THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT COSOWRTHS, THEY MESSED MINE UP AND CAUSED MAJOR PROBLEMS. Take the car to someone like Martin Hadland of Reyland Motorsport, he is very very good at what he does, or another guy that is brilliant is the Gent Mike Rainbird. both are on this site and will go out of there way to help you.

.If the car is fitted with aircon, make sure the condenser is not leaking as this can be costly to put right. If the aircon is working, you should see a green light come on and the your hear the engine click and the idle will drop a tad

There are manythings to look out for but others will pass there advice on to you, just remember that when you have been out for a blast in it, to allow the car to cool so maybe on the last few miles try and drive of boost and at a slower speed to let things cool down.

All the best on getting your new car, when you can post some pics up, and welcome aboard

Gareth

 

Thanks for the help so far
the car has been very well looked after!
i will deffo check for smoke etc as from what ive been told its still on its originol turbo.
i think the only downer i can see so far is it has a big ice install in the boot, which does not intrest me, but i think he said it is all removable, more the arse of removing big fat cables that run the length of the car etc!
A few people on here will be needed for parts , i dont want to keep the avez rims! so will need a new set of anthresite 6 spoke comps, set of coilovers, carbon belt cover and some ap's!
also for power, what sort of uprate would this 'stage 1' chip give? in the future id like to take it to stage 2 or 3 (but worried about the gearbox/drivetrain rumours around stage 3 power)

 

Ring Tremona they will be able to tel you their opinion of the car and if it's a good one, they know a good Cosworth when they see one

 

They have already given a verdict of the car, said its by no means a concours car, but it is a very good example of an escort cosworth

 

regards history,if it starts from day one it surely must be ok
if like some very low mile ones it starts from say 1997 it could of
been black and deckerd then the history starts.
has it got the service book stamped up by a Rallye Sport dealer?
i have seen cossies for sale that i know personally have done
100k miles more than they are showing.

 

when i view the car i will ask if i can take the history home so i can have time to look through it properly (we work at the same company and live 2mins up the road from each other).
all i was told in may is that it has extensive history to back up the millage and the mot's also tie up with the millage claim.

 

Check for crash damage!! Mainly where the wings join the front panal, check for factory sealer. Also check inside the wing for the black decal. You should be able to see it when opening the door. Check the spot welds under the front door seal to check the 1/4's are original. These are things that will certainly de-value the car and things that you can never put right obviously.

 

the list is getting longer is it worth doing a hpi report?

 

i would say so mate

 

Idiot if you dont lol

 

Get yourself along to a local RS meet to speak to some owners, you can get a look at the cars to see how conditions vary. That way you know if yours is worth the money. Low mileage & low owners doesn't mean its a good car.

 

You MUST hpi it mate.