Help needed.

Hey Im new to the site and I have found it to be helpful but still need more info. I'm about to purchase a 1995 cutless supreme. Under the car in front of the drivers side front wheel there is some sort of round ball shaped object. Similar to the float that sits in a toilet tank. I didnt see it real good but thats the best description I can give. The seller says that it may need to be replaced. When the car was started it had a hard rattle coming from the front end and when we drove the car it stopped after 2 blocks of stop and go driving. Seller says it is something with the brakes. Does anyone know what that round thing is and what it is for? Please help. I dont want to buy the car if its going to be a major repair. Everything else is perfect on the car and I really want it but this problem has me worried.

That sounds like a vacuum resevoir. If so, it has nothing to do with the brakes. It should have a vacuum hose ran to it from the engine. If the hose is broken, it might cause it to stall. The rattle has me concerned. Does it rattle right after start-up?

dont buy it.... just dont let yourself fall in love because you like how it fits... I looked around for about 15 mintues for you... personally, i cant findthe toilet float shaped thing your talking about.

concider this: if the seller didnt make it absolutely clear to you what it was, and what it does, and why it needs to be replaced... he or she is either completely lacking knowledge, or they just dont want you to know. I wouldntgo near this one. there are plenty of nice running reliable used cars around. be patient and get something that works.

I was told that it was something that was related to the vacuum by a friend. All in all the car is in fabulous condition. The exterior and interior are mint. The under carriage is clean and rust free. It drives like new. I'm thinking that the vacuum thing can be fixed rather cheap if thats what it is. I was told that the car sat for like 2 months and I was the first to drive it and that was the first time it was started since it was parked. THe rattle did stop after 2 blocks of driving and afterwards it drove better then a caddy. Maybe it was just a little shakey at startup due to not running in a while? Is that a possibility?

Stop all this guess work have it checked by a qualified mechanic.

Got to agree with max on this one. If you were concerned enough to post on this forum then don't talk yourself out of your concern. Take it to a mechanic, tell him what the owner says and have him check out the car and give you and estimate for repair. Even having the most simple repairs done can be a bit expensive. You a looking at a car with a retail value maybe $2500 even moderate repairs could cost $500-$600 something more major could approach, or even exceed, the car's value.