98 GU Patrol 4.5L Petrol

[zuluwoffle]

Hey Guys,

Got my eye on a 98 GU Patrol 4.5L Petrol model that is down the road but it has 402,000km on the clock.

The guy that is selling it has said that the previous owner was a sales rep that drove from Penrith to South Australia fornightly for work and he's even said that he has only driven highway km's aswell.

My question is, should I go for it. It drove real nice and the gearbox was still tight. Do they have any reliability issues or is there somethings that I should look out for at all?

All advice would be fantastic.;D

[zuluwoffle]

Further to my note above also. When we test drove it today, no blue smoke out of the back under load or lift off of the throttle. There was a small oil leak around the sump. Diffs had no leaks.

There was little to no rust at all. It was a little rough at idle but not much.

The owner recently replaced the radiator and the stater motor.

With the amuount of k's on the clock, should we be thinking about an engine recondition or is it not really necessary because they are such tough engines?

Thanks again.;D

[Captain Seaweed]

they are a bit thirsty, unless its cheap and you dont really care I would run a compression test on it.

[Steeler]

Bullet proof in the diffs,transfer case and gearbox.Did have a tendency to crack the head.

[Aunty Jack]

400,000. Long hard km in petrol its a big ask but not inpossible.
My head went at 480,000 but I ran LPG.
In opion it if the price is high pay for an RACQ inspection.
A couple of hundred $ is a good investment if your unsure.
Good luck I'm still on the hunt for the right 4x4 and its been a while!

[zuluwoffle]

Thanks Swampman. Definitely going to get a thorough vehicle inspection done. From the advice given so far, a compression test isn't going to go astray and agree that for a small amount of $$$$$ in comparisson, it will tell me if it's worth the $10K.

Will let you all know how I go;D

[Plastic_Magic]

Rebuild it and Wack a Hair dryer on it :) Just look up Russle Masson on Youtube you'll love it :)

[seahound]

Got 240,000km's on mine...had it since Feb '02. No probs. Great 4WD. the LSD is the goods.

Have recon starter motor & alternator at 200,000km's just thru maintenance not failure. About to replace water pump. Still orig clutch with heaps of towing & beach launching.

I change coolant with genuine product & drive train fluids annually which is always less than 20,000kms/

I get around 13.5 ltrs / 100km running it on PULP.

Change fuel filter every engine service too as they're small...not other issues.

All self servicing.

Towing 5.5m seafarer get 19 ltr / 100km. I'm happy with that.

Been waiting for it to die...just wont!!

Missus hates it round town but loves it on the highway.

If its running a bit rough at idle might need new plugs / leads & valve clearance adjusted...? They get a bit of a tick when valves need adjusting.

I'd think the Patrol with 400,000 kms would be worth around $6 to 7-odd thou...? Check the classifieds. Good ones with lower kms are around $10k once negotiations are done.

[BenDover]

I dont think it matters if its highway k's or not. I would definately factor in an engine rebuild at the very least. As 450 -500 in the normal life. Or atleast have the $$$ handy incase it goes.

But not only that, diffs go, gearbox weakens, uni's and slip joints and general wear and tear on most parts. My truck has 550 on the clock and Ive had to rebuild everything