Its all about condition, right? but what about butterflies?

[mapper]

Thinking to go look at a VERY clean looking 96. Downside, it has 270k, but its all about condition, right? This rule has served me well on purchases to date.

Anyway I figure if someone can keep a car running/looking great for that long it says something positive.

Here's the crux of my question. Is there any possible way that a 96 with that many miles could still have the original crappy design butterfly valve. I'm guessing no, it has to have been replaced, but I want to survey the crew anyhow. last thing I want to do is buy a vehicle with that many miles only to have to do a bunch of preventative maintenance. Hoping most was already done.

 

[mapper]

Oh, and while you're here...anyone driven a gen 2 with a 3.0 and manual trans? What kind of mileage where you able to get?

 

[SoCalMonty]

I'd be wary of that mileage, personally. I wouldn't consider it without compression and leakdown tests. But, yes, it certainly could have the intake butterflies. They don't all fail, and the majority of owners don't know they exist. I know mine still has them.

 

[94monster]

is the gen 2 3.0 with a manual the vehicle with 270K? If so I don't think the 3.0 has the butterfly valves, only the 3.5... I know my 94 has the original butterflys but I have taken the manifold apart and inspected and repaired the butterfly mechanism... definitely wouldn't want a vehicle with that many miles without a good inspection and compression/leakdown... at that point you can have the upper manifold replaced because it will be off to ddo the test if it's a 3.5

 

[mapper]

Thanks guys. The 3.0 with a manual (sold last night) is a different vehicle. Sorry for confusion.

Yeah, that's the thing, even investing to do a leakdown/compression test would be kind of silly if its running well. Still waiting to hear from the owner and find out about any documented maint. I guess its also all about price. Is the maintenance is there, it passes MY inspection (pretty rigorous especially with those miles) AND the price is right I may bite.

Price is the thing. Around here it seems the monties aren't such secrets anymore and the prices are nothing special. In fact the 94 3.0 with the manual (LS) just sold for over $3k. Pretty much the asking price.

Found a nice, solid SR but it needs A LOT of freshening up (minor mechanical, interior, exterior) and the guy is holding solid at 3500. Car is really worth maaayyybe $1500 on a good day according to pricing guides. Kicker is I can find nicer 4runners all day long and Land Cruisers that need similar amounts of work for the same prices. Making me 2nd guess the monty. I really like the monties though.

 

[SoCalMonty]

An engine can seem to run perfectly well, and still be out of spec on compression. I was still drag racing my fun car when all 5 cylinders were 30 psi under minimum spec per the manual. Lasted close to another year like that before it blew any smoke.

I am gonna have to disagree with a compression test being silly. But, it's your money!

 

[mapper]

If only the motor was designed so one could actually access the spark plugs....

 

[mapper]

I'll likely let this one slide because, its true, there is a high probability the bottom end is nearing the end of its useful life. I guess it doesn't much matter for the guy who just wants to drive it until it no longer moves but I always try to get my rigs reliable. I don't mind such high miles, my daily driver has 250 and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere, but knowing the maintenance history is a big part of that. The issue here is knowing, before buying, if its worth the investment in time/money to bring this rig to stage 0

 

[BIGdaddy]

If only the motor was designed so one could actually access the spark plugs....

Its such a small thing, but this very attribute, along with seeping oil leaks, keeps me from pulling the trigger on a montero.

 

[SoCalMonty]

Its such a small thing, but this very attribute, along with seeping oil leaks, keeps me from pulling the trigger on a montero.

Yeah, I hear you on the plugs. A PITA to get to. I don't have any oil leaks though. Knock on wood?! lol.

But hey...the sparkplugs are a small price to pay compared to the 3.55 freeway gearing and delicate Dana 35 that were in my XJ, or the amount of metal I had to chop out of the fenderwells to make the 33's fit. Every vehicle has it's little quirks. We get to know them and deal with them accordingly.

I guess I should do my plugs soon, come to think of it. Ugh.

 

[off-roader]

Its such a small thing, but this very attribute, along with seeping oil leaks, keeps me from pulling the trigger on a montero.

plugs are an easy fix on the SR's. just don't put the dust cover on after you do your first plug change.

Seeping oil leaks? Who's been giving you misinformation??

 

[BIGdaddy]

plugs are an easy fix on the SR's. just don't put the dust cover on after you do your first plug change.

Seeping oil leaks? Who's been giving you misinformation??

Good to know about the SR's. Is that same for the Gen II.5's?

As for the oil leaks - All the montero's I've looked at, have had oil leaks. Not much for me to be confused about.

I'm not saying it's a dealbreaker, but it's not a MOTIVATOR, either...lol.

 

[off-roader]

Good to know about the SR's. Is that same for the Gen II.5's?

As for the oil leaks - All the montero's I've looked at, have had oil leaks. Not much for me to be confused about.

I'm not saying it's a dealbreaker, but it's not a MOTIVATOR, either...lol.

What age are the vehicles you're looking at & how well maintained are they? Only oil leaks I've seen have been due to either poor or lacking maintenance.

As for the plugs, I'm not sure about the gen 2.5's but it is a different engine/intake than the SR's.

 

[BIGdaddy]

What age are the vehicles you're looking at & how well maintained are they? Only oil leaks I've seen have been due to either poor or lacking maintenance.

As for the plugs, I'm not sure about the gen 2.5's but it is a different engine/intake than the SR's.

the gen II and II.5's around here are all around 100k - 150k plus, as far as mileage goes.

 

[off-roader]

Yeah, certainly not high mileage, they should have replaced certain gaskets and seals by now. If the didn't, it can explain the leaks.