zombie13

I am looking at a 2003 SE with 123k miles. They are supposedly highway miles, and it's in great condition physically. The engine is clean, but not steam-cleaned clean. They want $5500 for it, which is under both Kelley and NADA retail is.

I know several people that have various year taurus's and are very happy so I am really looking at this. Any insights?

Z.

e_powers

with a car with those mile nothing to be afraid of except if the normal maintence was kept up. take my kia for instance it was no it has the same amount of miles as your and i have put 7-8hundred in well spent maintence. catching up on it.

zombie13

One thing I should mention is that there is a belt type squeal. Seems like it's the belt, and it goes away at idle after a short time. Even when it goes away at idle, it appears when driving as more load is added to the system (i.e. the faster you go the louder it sounds).

Am I correct that this a belt?

Z.

e_powers

yes but probablty a pulley adjustter with a bad bearing. or a pulley on a belted accessory that went bad you would have to pinpoint to figure out which.

you can ignore it and it could last for years with no problem or it can seeze next week causing belt to break. there is no telling when it will go. which is also unlikly.

Willyum

If you are serious, can take the vehicle to the dealership and they will do an inspection on it, usually runs less than $100. If they say no, OK, but if they give it the thumbs up you'll know what you have to get it current.

shorod

You type, "the faster you go the louder it sounds." Are you saying the faster the car goes, the louder the sound, or the faster the engine goes, the louder it sounds? If the former, then I would not expect the noise to be related to the belt. If the latter, then belt-related is probable. As the car increases in speed, the transmission should shift, allowing the engine speed to decrease.

Is the noise still there with A/C on/off, does it change if you turn the steering wheel to lock, does it change if you turn the headlights on and step on the brake pedal? If yes to any or all of these, then belt-related noise is even more probable. However, it could be tensioner, idler pulley, alternator, or A/C compressor clutch.

-Rod

zombie13

The faster the engine goes. It does occur when revving the engine in park. A/C on/off doesn't change it, didn't notice headlights or brake changing it, or the wheel turning making any difference at all either.

Z.

EDIT: Put some belt dressing on a rather glazed and worn belt at lunch and the squeal went away.

Z.