Holden VS Ute - Series 1, 1995 - Issues

[jokerflingo]

Hey guys im new here and sorry if i have posted this thread in the wrong spot but i could really do with some help.

Today i have been out looking for a Holden VS Ute and have found several and test driven them etc. Now i have put down a deposit for one and the owner seemed fairly genuine but i have my suspicions and would like to know if i should go and get my deposit back asap if possible.
My suspicion started when i took the ute for a test drive today and instantly i noticed a weird type of liquid bubbling noise coming up through the heater core. I also noticed whilst trying out the Air Con/Heater and i noticed on both a weird burning smell which smelt like burning power steering fluid.
I would really appreciated some help on this as i have had absolutely terrible luck with previous vehicle purchases. It was a Holden 1995 VS Ute - Series 1 and looked immaculate in and out but these small problems do not seem to be normal to me? I was told by the owner that this is normal and i sort of believed him as i havnt had a VR/VS before but would really like any info anyone has to share on these small problems. I myself am thinking it may have something to do with the head gasket and letting air in and then causing the bubbling air pocket type noises as i also noticed when taking off the radiator cap that coolant would rise up and over and leak out everywhere as if there might be a large air pocket pushing the coolant out?

Once again any info would be much appreciated as i do not want any trouble with this purchase and would like to get my deposit money back if possible.
Thank you in advanced and an answer asap would be much appreciated if anyone has any suspicions.

Thanks
Matt

[hako]

It may be a leaking heater core which will leak coolant and smell when hot. Fix is expensive as whole dash comes out - about 6 to 8 hours labour. It could also just be air in the heater core which hasn't been bled out. (why?)
My feelings only, but if you have any doubts at all bail out now as there is no worse feeling than when you went against your instincts when they were telling you something. Plenty more out there to chose from. Good Luck.

[jokerflingo]

Hi Hako thanks for the quick reply. My father also thought it may have something to do with the heater core but didn't know what. As for the bubbling noise that you can hear when the car is running/driving what would this mean? Any ideas as it kept on making that bubbling liquid noise no matter what the car was doing? My father thought that the bubbling liquid noise had something to do with the radiator and having air in it. Although the radiator cap was damaged and may not pressurize properly so any ideas? Also the temp gauge didn't really move much at all which may signal another problem?
Just looking for several opinions as my instinct is saying even if i cant get my $200 dollar deposit money back to walk away from the deal as something sounds fishy? Would you agree with this statement based on my above comments and if you have any more information or anyone for that matter related to this issue could you please share.

Thanks
Matt

[Andrew426]

Temp and fuel guage sticking is a common thing on VR/VS commodores because of a dry solder joint on that part of the dash. Give it a wack on the top of the dash and it will jump up into place. Its known as "The Holden Handshake" - you see a lot of VR/VS owners wacking the tops of their dashes.

[jokerflingo]

Temp and fuel guage sticking is a common thing on VR/VS commodores because of a dry solder joint on that part of the dash. Give it a wack on the top of the dash and it will jump up into place. Its known as "The Holden Handshake" - you see a lot of VR/VS owners wacking the tops of their dashes.

Ah k thanks Andrew426, anyone else got any ideas about the other problems as i am seriously considering walking away from this deal as it seems fishy anyone seem to agree with this based on my comments above. As i am looking for a second opinion and will most likely follow that opinion since i havnt owned a VR/VS let alone a ute?

Thanks Again
Matt

[hako]

Just ask the seller if its OK to take the car to a radiator shop to check the gurgling - a damaged radiator cap is also a red flag in a "well looked after" car. As Andrew426 says, the gauges can stick....but if they did on a car I was looking at buying then I'd think twice.
I don't envy your decision.

[jokerflingo]

Just ask the seller if its OK to take the car to a radiator shop to check the gurgling - a damaged radiator cap is also a red flag in a "well looked after" car. As Andrew426 says, the gauges can stick....but if they did on a car I was looking at buying then I'd think twice.
I don't envy your decision.

Thanks for the help guys i decided to ring the seller back and ask if it was possible to refund my deposit money. He said yes thats fine and agreed to post it back to me instead of me having to drive 1 1/2 hours again to get it. I just said that i couldn't gather the funds. He was actually quite accepting but i still had that gut feeling about the deal and as other have said there will be more utes around and maybe even better ones.

Thanks again
Matt

[hako]

I'd reckon you did the right thing and in the right way.

[JT090]

i knocked back about 3 utes before i found the one i was happy with, theres plenty more fish in the sea