Should I buy this cheap run-around?

[speedy_thrills]

I'm working out of an office in another city (fly-in, fly-out type deal) and need a donkey car. By happenstance have been offered a '01 Toyota Camry CSi 2.2 w/80,000 miles for next to no money because it had a coolant leak after warming up.

Car seemed to go well when I took it for a quick test drive (runs smoothly, checked fluids and there is no obvious signs of overheating or head gasket damage), stopped and looked for the leak when hot - seems like it might just be the reservoirs have degraded over time?

Bit are cheap and easy to get.

Yes or No?

[Krikkit]

If it's cheap enough to throw away if the HG has gone then I'd say do it!

[TwistingMyMelon]

Maybe

The staining could be from someone opening them up when the engine was hot so they exploded everywhere

Check it when hot and shove some radweld in !

[anonymous-user]

Judging by the dried coolant everywhere it looks like the system has been pressurised and sprayed coolant out of the reservoir. I suspect the car is/has overheated for this to happen could be something simple like a thermostat or could be Head Gasket Failure.

Personally I would not want the hassle of potentially being stranded due to this but if it is cheap enough and you are willing to take the risk (and carry lots of bottles of water) then go for it.

[tight fart]

Could be thermostat gone, allowing it to overheat and over pressure

[NDA]

There's a great big hole in it - bottom left hand corner of the right hand unit.

Or have I stated the obvious?

[nunpuncher]

Is it a pressurised system? That doesn't look like a pressurises cap.

Head gasket may be fine but you've got to look at the potential costs to put right and weigh up if you are happy with the cost and hassle of getting it fixed. Could just be the tank or cap is fked or it could be the thermostat or worst case the water pump. Doubt any are a huge expense but more hassle.

[speedy_thrills]

It looked liked perished containers to me when I checked, ditto the power steering fluid if you look at the top has cracked. Actually when I checked the car initially there was no liquid, it was only when I had cornered it (checking the CVs) I think it spilled over. Engine operated within normal temperature range.

Let's roll the dice, it's so cheap even if does need some love I'll break even.