95 LeSabre Rust Stains In Coolant Recovery Tank

I am still searching for a replacement car after the accident I was in on 9/5 which totalled my 96 Ciera Wagon.

ANYWAY, yesterday I drove 120 mi to handle something unrelated, and in that neighborhood I also took a look at a 1 owner 1995 Buick LeSabre Custom with 55k mi, seller asking $3900, later offered to sell it to me for $3700.

Beautiful car. Looked seriously garaged kept. A couple of minor scratches and 2 dings. Interior immaculate. Excellent running and driving vehicle.

Only 1 problem. Me being so aware about the Series II 3800s with the gasket problems, I carefully inspected this 3800 Series I. What I found were rust stains in the coolant recovery tank. The radiator appeared to have been recently replaced as well as the radiator cap (not stock). The green coolant was clean - not a trace of oil in it.

I rambled for 45 minutes out loud with my wife about the pros and cons until we left and made the trip home, WITHOUT purchasing the car.

Could I get some speculation as to why there would be rust stains in the coolant recovery tank? Could it be past severe cooling system neglect as in running pure water through the cooling system?! So if so, what does the block look like - probably a disaster waiting to happen right? Or am I a nincompoop for not grabbing this car?:screwy:

I may go back this weekend and purchase the car. But I don't want to purchase a major problem.

Firstly, I wouldn't be overly concerned as these tanks tend to get rust-colored stains in them over time. Mine have some of that. If it is severe I'd be more worried. I would ask about the radiator.

Next, I would not pay his asking price even at his reduced price. According to Kelley Blue Book his car in "Good" condition with 55k is worth $2535 for a private party sale. I would offer $2500 and walk if he balked.

http://www.kbb.com/KBB/UsedCars/PricingReport.aspx?ManufacturerId=7&YearId=1995&VehicleClass=UsedCar&VehicleId=7249&PriceType=Private+Party&ModelId=44&Mileage=55000&SelectionHistory=7249%7c5739%7c37076%7c0%7c0%7c272 880%7ctrue%7c272892%7ctrue%7c272940%7ctrue&Condition=Good&QuizConditions=

Hello Spinne1,

Thanks, I appreciate your reply.

The other reason that the rust stains in the CRT raised a red flag mainly is because my wife's same year (95) similar miles (62,000) Lesabre has a spotless CRT. I also just sold a 1990 Century (3.3 v6) with 145,000mi with a spotless CRT. Also, the radiator had never been replaced on that car. 17 years same radiator.

Regarding the price, for some reason here in SW Florida and SE Florida used vehicles seem to go for way higher than KBB. NADAguides.com usually returns a higher value, and so I usually either try to buy or sell between KBB and NADA values. 20 years ago when my dad was in the automobile insurance claims industry, he used NADA, FWIW.

NADA on this car I believe is around 3900 (high retail).

I don't trust anything the seller (salesman) has to say. He told me that the coolant recovery tank "was probably replaced". If true, which I seriously doubt, that raises more questions such as WHY was it replaced? THey don't just fail, in my experience. And if it did fail, then what is the likliness that a used dirty one was put on.

Thanks again.

Too bad about your 96 Ciera Wagon. I had an 87 Ciera and it was a great car. I wouldn't be concerned about the rust stains in the coolant overflow. It probably just had water in it and it corroded it out some. It seems like in Florida, running straight water in the radiator might be tempting.

I have an old 89 Nissan 4X4 that I use as a farm truck. It has rust in the overflow and the coolant in the radiator is rust colored. It has looked like this for years and it still runs great and has had no cooling problems. I do know that the heator core in it has a small leak though because I can smell coolant in the winter when the heater is on. It is not something I will fix unless it really starts leaking.

The sludge/rust in the recovery tank is indicative of a neglected cooling system, as is the replacement radiator. Obviously, your other vehicles have been better maintained. Apparently, the owner was basing maintenance on mileage alone, and disregarded the "36 months" specification for cooling system service. That would not scare me away from the purchase. The recovery tanks can be cleaned easily by removing, rinsing, and bleaching it.

I would agree that the price is suspiciously high even though the mileage is low. If the rest of the car warrants it, you may have to offer a bit more than the Blue Book value due to the low mileage. I bought my daughter's '95 LeSabre at auction for $825.00 plus the action fee, and have a total of $1,290 in it to return it to near new condition (water pump, fender repair, paint,struts, and cleaning, new heater core, floor mats, etc.). You're probably not likely to grab one at that price, but, squeeze the owner for every dime you can.