Primera autobox problem

kupus

Some HELP please..... I took a 03 2.0 Automatic Primera with 200K on it, out today for a test drive. So far its been one of the better ones I got to drive Meaning all papers are correct, he is named owner etc...the car was clean and looked after and the price is right..

Now he told me that the Timing Belt was done last year, but no paperwork as its his friend that does all the work.

It drove perfect on the highway and the little we drove around town. But when I got to the carpark to do figure 8's.........

When the car was idling in P a noise started coming out where the belts are situated a slight rattle like one of the belts are slipping or maybe the wheel cog is loose. When it was in D and my foot on the brake nothing to be heard......

I couldnt really gauge what it was as my knowledge is not that good really.
Also the gauge for showing what gear you are in, is not working on the dash and according to him is working on and off for the past 4 years, but since he sticks it in D usually it never bothered him.

This is a LHD version and the belts are at the front right hand side btw...

Anybody any suggestions???
Could this be the start of the autobox going would be my big concern cos then the car is basically a complete write off or am I reading too much into it.....

colm_mcm

Run away quite fast.

kupus

Noooo,,, not want I want to hear.
The HRV i looked at before the primera told me the pillar was a bit scratched, when I got there it was a 4in gash on both pillars, and the back spoiler was held on by duct tape and both doors were whorpped and water in the spare tire well and the sunroof caulked shut and the right hand side mirror missing but in fairness he did mention about the mirror.....no mention of any of the rest over the phone when we told him we're driving 4 hrs to see the honda.......

So to find a guy who HAS a job and is not in anyway a backyard scammer or mechanic is a huge PLUS in this place.....

kupus

ok Ive read on NPOC that it could be the timing chain has stretched and the auto tensioners have reached their limit. BUT it was only making a slight rattle while idling away, while the engine sounded smooth when driving with no noises.

thanks for moving this Colm. That thread was one of the 1st I found when I used the search function

jomoloney

kupus wrote: »

Now he told me that the Timing Belt was done last year, but no paperwork as its his friend that does all the work.

kupus wrote: »

ok Ive read on NPOC that it could be the timing chain has stretched and the auto tensioners have reached their limit. BUT it was only making a slight rattle while idling away, while the engine sounded smooth when driving with no noises.

thanks for moving this Colm. That thread was one of the 1st I found when I used the search function

WALK

kupus

colm_mcm wrote: »

Run away quite fast.

jomoloney wrote: »

WALK

Whatever car I'm buying I have factored in the cost of replacing the belt/chain anyway and that'll be the 1st thing I do when I get one......
Even if the seller shows me a receipt that he done it yesterday.

But I'd like to educate myself on what this little noise could be and what are the possible consequences are to the car.