Whether a car is carbureted or fuel injected, problems with the fuel delivery system can be a nightmare. Watch for strong-smelling exhaust, which can indicate a rich air-fuelmixture; a smell of raw gasoline around the engine bay may mean a bad carbon canister, a dirty canister filter, or a leak in the vacuum lines that operate the canister. Although the sniff test can detect most serious problems, an emissions test is generally a good way to highlight more subtle problems with the fuel delivery and emissions systems. A fouled oxygen sensor, a malfunctioning EGR valve, and a bad catalytic converter, among other things, can cause poor readings on an emissions test. Additionally, ask the seller for records of any maintenance, including carburetor tune up or replacement, fuel pump replacement, and fuel filter replacement.
Cooling System
A well-maintained cooling system will be less likely to have problems, so again, ask the seller for information regarding maintenance. Antifreeze needs to be changed every couple of years, and most systems will benefit from regular flushing. In hotter regions, people often run cars with water instead of an antifreeze mixture, but these cars will have more corrosion in the cooling system. When test-driving the car, keep a close eye on the water temperature gauge, to be sure that the car runs at a steady temperature. After driving the car, be sure that the radiator has heated evenly; cold spots on the radiator may indicate blocked tubes, which will need to be rodded out at a radiator shop. Also, check the hoses, making sure they feel firm; overly stiff hoses are liable to split, and spongy or bulging rubber warn of weak spots that could burst at any moment. Make sure that the bearing on the water pump is not noisy, that the drive belt has about a ½” of deflection when you press down on it, and that the cooling fan is working. Also, check for obvious leaks around the system.