I know this is likely gone over a ton of times but I'm new to this place and not sure what info is going to be relevant so I wanted to get some opinions.

I am looking at buying an 04 AT but it's got some issues.

Chassis has 122k on it, engine was replaced under warranty at around 100k says the current owner but needs a transmission or a VSS and he says the stealership told him there was a timing issue causing it to run rough upon start up and then die.

He's not mechanic suavy and yes on a conventional pushrod piston engine the symptoms would lead me to believe it's out of time, but after research I'm leaning towards Coils / Plugs and maybe Cat OR the dreaded coolant seals.

Is it more than possible that a 20k +/- engine needs a complete overhaul already or is my first feeling on plugs/coils ect more on point?

 

likely ignition, but you would still need a compression test to confirm the health of the engine

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It's not unheard of for a remanufactured engine to fail early, but I'd also say ignition first. Was it replaced with the engine, or is it really old?

 

I honestly don't know.

I hate to say it but I'd rather not give the owner the idea that it could be ignition related instead of a failed engine... gives me a ton of leverage in scooping it up on the cheap. But it's a complete gamble that the engine is ok.

 

Is an 04 automatic really that much of a find though, even on the cheap? Just my opinion, but if you're going gamble on engine condition, at least gamble on a 6-port, not the 4-port.

 

yeah I hear ya, but I'm thinking I can baffle him with BS and scoop it up for about $500 since he has no idea what to do with it and sounds like he doesn't have the money to keep dumping money into it.

But yeah A/T makes me really hate the idea.