89 se-i need some input

[imjdoggie]

Ok guys I'm back I sold my 3 and bought a civic hatchback but now I wanna come back. I came across an 89 se-i 5 speed with 150k for $500. Ok it sounds great but there is an antifreeze leak somewhere and I started the car up and there was smoke pouring out from the header area. My question is how much am I looking at if it were a water pump or a head gasket job? Am I getting into something that is not worth it, the paint looks fine, it will need a new exhaust for inspection which is up 3/08. The interior is leather but it is all torn up, on a scale of 1-10 I would say the car is a 6-7 but it has alot of potential. I think for $500 you almost can't go wrong, it starts up fine and idle's fine, sounds fine, not sure what to do, some input needed.

[russiankid]

Is there smoke coming out of the exhaust? Is the oil black or a chocolate milk color? Check the anti-freeze and make sure its green. If indeed the headgasket is in need of replace, wont be to much if you do the job yourself, but the head would need to get checked for cracks and if it is warped. If a shop does it, it may be a bit. The water pump is easy to do as well.

[Hauntd ca3]

for $500 who cares if it needs some work
specialy if its an sei with 5spd

[MessyHonda]

for $500 who cares if it needs some work
specialy if its an sei with 5spd

werd...offer him 400 bucks and take the car off his hands...if you are good even a head gasket would not be too hard.

[imjdoggie]

Alright thanks guys I'm going to pick it up today, I'll post pics later...........Thanks all

[imjdoggie]

Alright guys so I picked it up today, $300 yes three hundred dollars. I got a new valve cover gasket and replaced that, that took care of the smoking part. I also went to the local parts store to get some of the antifreeze additive to stop leaks and that is what is coming from the bottom which leads me to believe someone tried this before. I am definitely thinking it is the water pump now, there is nothing in the oil no loss of power (drove 50 miles home). I did think the heat should blow a little hotter, if the water pump is bad will it affect the heating??? I promise I'll post pics tomorrow, I think it looks great and everything else seems fine, needs a few little things like brakes, rotors, wiper blades etc.

[forrest89sei]

If the coolant is leaking it can effect the heat, since it's run by coolant

[russiankid]

If the coolant is leaking it can effect the heat, since it's run by coolant

If the fins on the water pump are gone from corrosion there won't be good heat either.

[87roach]

Any SEi for 300 bones is a steal! Post some pics and cooling prob fixed

[Demon1024]

as long as it had anti freeze in it, even if it was the head. Hell YEAH!

[GraniteLXI]

Damn, sounds like you got a steal of a deal. So far it seems a bit mixed weather or not you have a blown head gasket, leaning a bit more toward it not being blown. Post some pics when u get the chance ^^

[imjdoggie]

Alright guys here are a few pics..............$300 for car, $130 for title and tags, $20 for valve cover gasket, $20 for oil antifreeze and coolant leak sealer. Seems to have stopped leaking and runs great, thanks for the help and comments guys.

[imjdoggie]

after a quick hand wax and some armor all.......

[imjdoggie]

anyone interested in a hatch............wife's mad too many cars not enough room

[russiankid]

Not bad at all. Where in PA are you? Also your power steering fluid is low, actually below minimum. Make sure to use Honda.

[BITESIZE]

Looks like a clean sei other than the poor seats!

[forrest89sei]

That SE-i Looks Pretty Damn Clean

And :jawdrop: on that Civic VX mileage, I didn't know it was that high!

[imjdoggie]

Im in Reading, PA. Thanks for all the nice comments guys. The Civic gets crazy gas mileage and it's only a 10 gallon tank so $20 and you're good for the week unlike the Z $20 where gets you only one hellrun......lol

[russiankid]

Im in Reading, PA. Thanks for all the nice comments guys. The Civic gets crazy gas mileage and it's only a 10 gallon tank so $20 and you're good for the week unlike the Z $20 where gets you only one hellrun......lol

I'm moving to either Oxford or somewhere around Chester. We should have a mini-meet