should I buy 95 w/89k--some issues w/car

[profKenn]

Ok. I'm looking at 95 Escort w/89k. New clutch. No history on the car. Coolant looks BLACK. Oil needs changing. Engine seems smooth, and it shifts fine. A/C is great. No radio. A bit dirty inside. Outside is ok w/ slight dent in left front fender. I'm mostly concerned with mechanics. I can buy for $650. Should I dive in? I'm mostly concerned about the coolant. It seems there is rust in the radiator. I suppose at minimum I would flush the cooling system, and at worst, I could replace radiator without flushing? Could rust deposits hurt motor and/or water pump?

Thanks!

[dougand3]

Buy it...you'll like it. These engines are easy to work on...lotsa space compared to a windstar.

Flush rad and cooling system...this is a 1.9L? - these engines run COOOOOL anyway...what did the temp needle get to on your test drive? Mine barely gets to N in C-[-NORMAL-]-H. Heck, I've been trying on/off for years to get it to O or R. Search "underheating" here.

Change oil/filter and air filter...If oil is dirty after a few hundred miles-change oil/filter again. I've used wally world supertech 5w30 and oil filter ST3600 for a decade w/o problems. SuperTech filters are made by Champion...they're much better than Fram and cost 1/3 less. If oil and filter is cheap...more likely to do it on schedule.

Might wanna change the fuel filter on the firewall...if it runs smooth, I'd probably pass on that for now.

Inspect the spark plugs...burning clean?

[jeffescortlx]

Good deal.

If your 91-96 Escort LX is over cooling, it's because of a corroded clogged heater core slowing down the coolent flow past the coolent sensor's, your motor is actully running normal, just does'nt look like it to the sensor.