deal killer? or simple fix?

[rwright07]

So if an m35 auction on GL states that "ENGINE WILL NOT START"

is that a deal killer for a newb to the MV hobby?

it could be something as simple as bad batteries, what do you think are the odds of getting the truck started and able to drive home. I am quite mechanically inclined and enjoy getting my hands dirty, but have no experience with these vehicles.

when the multifuel wont start what are the usual culprits- and on a scale of 1-10 how screwed are you if it is a particular one

 

[wsucougarx]

Usual culprits are dead batteries. For the most part, the guys at GL are lazy. Go inspect the truck, flip the accessory level to the on position to see what the volt gauge reads. If you can see if you can turn the truck over. If no reading on the voltage gauge then use a voltmeter on the batteries to verify dead batteries. Typically thats what it is. One thing I looked for on a Engine will not start is the presence or lack of the bumper shackles on the truck. If they are not there then why? Perhaps they towed the truck to its present location. Or maybe they forklifted the truck. When you get down to it. It is a big unknown as far as what you are getting. Is it chance? YES it is. But hey that's what adds to the element of surprise during the whole recovery process. Hope for the worse and usually you'll be okay.

 

[dittle]

Like wsucougarx said it could be batteries most of the time, but a deuce I looked at last week wouldn't start due to fuel leaking on the injector lines. I have seen on past auctions that the engine was in the bed of the truck and that is why it wouldn't start....go figure. Fluids could be drained or the truck could just be out of fuel. There are a lot of culprits so the best thing to do is preview the truck (or have someone else preview it for you) so you know what is wrong with the truck.

 

[BKubu]

As the others have pointed out, it is probably nothing serious. Even if the description said RUNS, you still don't know how it well it runs, or if the transmission works properly. To add a scenario to those above...there was another thread of posts on a truck in PA recently. The description said RUNNING CONDITION UNKNOWN...but one picture clearly showed that the block had been aerated (i.e, there was a huge hole in the block). Another time, a friend of Joe Young's bid on a truck and won it only to find there was a huge hole in the block. I agree...it is probably something minor...but try to check it out as the others have stated. Otherwise, bid as though there is something wrong and you will have to fix it. Most likely, there will be something that you have to fix anyway (even if it is only batteries, a bad headlight, a bad wiper motor, or a bad alternator, etc.)

 

[hole]

Previewing the truck is important if your budget doesnt include having it towed to your house. When we went to preview mine it wouldnt start, even with a jump from fresh batteries, but the site manager let us try and pull start the old girl and she fired off within two feet. That of course led to a test drive after unhooking, which allowed us to further check things out. In the end we knew without question she would make an 80 mile drive no sweat.

 

[tie6044]

I would guess that it is more than just dead batteries, from the sites I have been to they usually drive around with a slave cable and jump them, even the deadest (is that a word?) batteries will still fire up with a good jump. I had one that "didn't run" because it was actually out of fuel! Best thing is to inspect, if not, bring 2 fresh batteries if you win and hope for the best but as stated, be prepared for the worst. That's why I like to trailer mine, then the hardest part is just getting it up on the trailer and it can be looked over better at home.

 

[yellobronc]

I had the similar experience with the one Hole had.
I inspected mine but they would not let me start it. I looked for signs of problems, leaks, scrapes from forklift moving, etc. In the end, I took a LOWBOY to get mine. We were able to pull start it in seconds which enabled us to drive it onto the Semi Trailer. Even running on the generator, it would not power any guages due to the batteries being so far gone.

Once I got it home, within an hour of driving it, it blew a fuel line, which tells me it would have been an eventful drive if I had tried. It was 200 miles away from home so my bet to trailer it was best.

Great truck though.

Good luck in any recovery you may have!!!!

 

[madsam]

I inspected mine but they would not let me start it.

Really? Wow, I have not herd where they won't let you at least try the switch. I know these are not expensive, but they are not free. I am not sure I would even ask. I would just flip the switch anyway. (Ask for forgiveness rather than permission.)

 

[roscoe]

Do you save enough buying from the GL as apposed to a re-seller to justify the risk? Or is it just more fun. I'm strongly considering buying a Duece and I read somewhere that the trucks from the GL are either pretty good or stripped of the best parts before being sold. I'm in NE IN any good prospects around here?

 

[madsam]

Do you save enough buying from the GL as apposed to a re-seller to justify the risk? Or is it just more fun. I'm strongly considering buying a Duece and I read somewhere that the trucks from the GL are either pretty good or stripped of the best parts before being sold. I'm in NE IN any good prospects around here?

It all depends. That is why it is good to inspect. Some trucks start and run home, others are either broken or stripped, or both. Many people are happy with what they got. Some are not happy. I would say that most are happy with what they get from GL. In my opinion, if you want a good running truck that needs little or no work, and you are not mechanically inclined, I would go for a Private dealer. If you love working on old trucks, and can get things working, and are willing to inspect or can get someone to inspect things for you, GL is a good option.

On average GL will be cheaper initial cost. If you go with GL, I would inspect, find out what is missing, Find out the cost of the missing or broken, then you will know more on what to bid.
On average Dealer will have a good running truck that needs little work.

It is all on what types of things you prefer. Driving right away, or working on.

P.S. also consider the spf87 paperwork to get the title. It costs a little time and money to get a title for the trucks from GL. The ones from the dealer should have a title.

P.S.S I have seen stuff in Kansas go cheaper than back east. Also Barsow CA seems to go cheap too. But there is no garintee. It all depends on who wants what....

 

[emmado22]

All the above is good advice.. WONT START could be anything as simple as dead batts or no fuel in the tank to as big as the engine is missing/has a hole you can stick your fist into (no kidding).. Inspect, Inspect, Inspect.... Thats the best way to get a good idea of what the problem is....

 

[OldGoat]

You really just don't know. I think if you could get a good deal from an individual, then it might be better. If you buy from the GL & it's out of your state, they tack on sales tax for that state. You will still have to pay to get the title, most individuals will have one. There is a fair amount of bidding on the good trucks, some are really deals. Dealing with the GL is another issue. You can really do both. Look for a truck on the site, and bid on a few. Watch ebay etc. If you can look at some in person at the auction sites, you will see that some of these trucks have not been used for years, while others may have been used 6 months ago. Find someone experienced with these trucks to help avoid the junk.

 

[datsunaholic]

It's different site to site. The "unmanned" sites can be a hassle and pretty much require you to tow stuff out. The Deuce I picked up in June stated "Runs with jump". No kidding... batteries were dead flat and one had a shorted cell. Neither would maintain charge, but the truck lit right off with a slave cable. I had brought my neighbor with a tow truck to pull-start it if needed but the GL guys just jumped it. The GL guys at Ft Lewis are pretty good, and they'll tell you if the truck moves under it's own power or not, and most of the time if it's got something seriously wrong they note it (if it only needs a jump, they wrote it on the lot tag. It it has to be pushed/pulled around the lot it's noted as non-running).


In my case, it was worth buying from GL because I have a running, driving, fully operational street-legal Deuce with good tires for under $1500, and that includes the parts I had to replace. In addition to batteries I had to buy a light switch as someone made off with it during the EUC wait but that was all that was missing, and the tach cable broke the first time I took it on the freeway, but it's been fine otherwise.

 

[wsucougarx]

Yah so far I am 4 for 4 on my deuces.

 

[phataux]

hey i went the other day to "TaylorTradingCo" thats his name here on SS he said out of the like 6 or 8 that i saw he had one that they thought was only missing a fuel pump so they put a new one and right before they cranked it they seen the football size whole in the block. the other looked great ....LOOKED great but then when he cranked it knocked like a 18 year old at a strip club. now i personaly do not have one but i would say its all about the money..... can you afford for it to have a huge problem? if so get it but keep in mind you might end up with a parts truck

 

[jim-m35a2]

I bought a deuce from GL. Checked the fluids etc, hit the starter and it fired up. Drove it 300 + miles home without any problems. Still running great with no problems.
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