Finally got a chance to look at the 1993 SC400 that I have been talking to the owners about -

Holy Cow, for a car with over 250,000 miles on it it really gets up n scoots!

Here are is what I found - I did some research here but would love it if you guys could chime in here...


The oil pressure light seems to come on randomly, only noise from the engine is a slight lifter noise that does go away - light goes out on gained rpm's, oil level was only down bout a quarter quart and that was after 3500 miles on it. - not too bad. ideas on the dash light? The owner says that it's always gone on and off - oil levels have been fine, car (by records) has been maintained.

Also, the climate control display is half blacked out on the readout - have not found anything on that, the control works great - air blows cold - ideas on that?

other than that, seems like it's all good - and in all honesty, way above what I would expect for a car with a quarter million miles on it - very impressive...

i appreciate the advice and guidance here-

 

I have a 1993 sc300 and my climate control was also half lite and the dash light dims

Common problem , could be a short or something

 

I love the car - i am a Z freak so it's got he lines that I like - it's a work of art in my opinion...

I think the price is right, and I don't expect new from 1993 and 250k plus to boot - I am mechanically inclined, and just want to know where I am headed - thinking possible oil pressure sending unit, but not sure.

Had a bit of a rough idle - but am thinking that is a plug wire or plugs - not so worried about that - most of the threads I've read on that have been manageable-

No check engine light by the way-

 

Climate control units regularly do this. Common for our cars. Just buy an un-bled unit from Aliga.

I'd be concerned about the oil pressure light. What weight oil is he running? How much are they asking for the car?

 

per the records of oil maint - 5/30. level was fine, was due for a change according to the owner-

Thanks Dx for that direction, I'll search for that as an option, it works fine, can just hardly read it.

$1800 is the price, which I think is fair - I don't expect much for $1800 on anything. I just need it to last me the next year, my son has some medical needs that are going to require travel to get him treatment, so I need a car - the truck is not cutting it...

Plus, I've always loved the look of these cars

so yes, $1800 is where we are on the price- still don't need the engine dropping out of it even at that price, haha.

Thanks again for the advice -- I appreciate it!!

 

What are your plans for the car? Are you looking to swap engine and tranny eventually? Is so then i would say go for it, miles are very high so you have to take into consideration bushings, suspension, brakes and other wear and tear.

 

Oil send relay could be bad. Or, a bit worse, oil pump. If the rest of the car is fine, I would take a flyer, Seafoam the engine and go from there.

 

Take a flyer? Have no idea what that is...? sorry, haha...

I would think if the oil pump was south, I would have heard more engine noise?

And I plan to drive it - I had taken into account that the suspension needs a bit of tlc bushing wise, but if I keep the car - I would place new in there dropping it down eventually anyway.

I would seafoam it, that is awesome stuff!

Seems that you can get these engines somewhat cheap...

 

oil pressure sensor?

 

I spoke with my toyota mechanic he is thinking that there is possibly some sludge in the pickup tube that is shunting the oil at idle, makes sense as with RPM's it would go away....

For the $ - I think it's a good risk, heck if it blows up tomorrow - I could take it to the scrap yard for 700 in metal weight, but I would just fix it or part it out - they are just such beautiful cars with nice lines...

Has anyone priced an engine? Seems that I've seen them for less than a thousand complete...

 

Shouldnt be hard/expensive to find, 2jz-ge blocks come in multiple toyota/lexus cars. And most people junk them for swaps

 

$1800, get it...pretty good deal. Don't worry about the miles, especially since it's been maintained. LCD bleeding is common with our cars, but you could easily replace this or have it replaced? Check out lextech.org or pm O.L.T. he's the keeper of the light! If your plans are to just drive it, hell save up for manual swap...and enjoy your manual V8? So many options, choose wisely...budget accordingly.

steve

 

You have a GREAT plan on the manual-

Although my mech says that auto will never die, haha -

I will look on lextech for the pricing -

I am soooo looking forward to this!!

I'll post pics when I can, it'll be tonight / tomorrow

 

$1800, get it. That's a good steal. All those little stuff are little repairs. 250k miles translates to 30k miles, engine is indestructible. One of the best engines ever made.

 

I paid $1,800.00 for my 1997 SC300 w/ 140k miles. The deals are out there!