With those Ks, I would buy it in a flash. Just make sure the Air con and Power steer works properly, as they can both be an expensive rebuild. You can get away with a dodgy/leaky power steer set up, but traveling up north without air might be a bit challenging.

Also check the gear box, some need a rebuild between 120 - 200ks. But if and old fella has owned it and drove it easy you should have no problems.

those engines are good for 400,000ks plus if treated right, so this one is just run in.

I bought one for $1500 that had 200 on the clock and abused the hell out if it, no maintenance and thrashed it as a work car everyday for well over 150,000ks was still going strong as ever until some friendly native australians wanted the car more than I did, they used it in a ram raid and wrote the old girl off, insurance paid me 3k for the old girl, and she later turned up in a wrecking yard. I must admit I was a bit teary on seeing her there, she served me well and to go out like that was a real same.

Buy it, you wont regret it.. hell you will probably keep it after your trip.

I've just bought a VN11 Berlina with 112000k's. Ive done the usual checks Radiator, gear shifting OK, etc. The only thing i have done is skim front disc's and new pads, And put a injector cleaner through as being of this age it was running rough and now i

Hi Mightyrollaman.

The series II VN was released around April/May 90.

The only easy visual checks for series IIs are, the different hubcaps, the grey faced stereo, the green light that illuminates the ignition switch & the fact that it has 2 radiator bottles (1 surge & 1 overflow). Most VN series II upgrades are under the skin

Many people confuse the release of the VP type V6 engine (Nov 90) as being series II, that is not correct, there are many series IIs (about 6 months production) without the later engine.

To answer your other question, about what to check or replace prior to a long trip. I would replace the fuel pump (in-tank) & the crank sensor (regardless of kms), these are the 2 common causes of brake downs in VNs. I would also get the cooling system fully checked & serviced, for obvious reasons & a normal service & safety check,(remember this car is 15 yeaers old, no matter what the kms). Other than that, these things will last almost forever, you cant wear them out. But they will die from lack of preventative maintenance.

Dr Terry.

I'd agree with all of the above ^^^^, especially the cooling system.
You MUST run the correct coolant in V6's as these are high pressure systems. The reservoir "bottles" are inclined to deteriorate...they seem to become brittle & crack, so check it caref

Edited by user Monday, 16 May 2005 5:05:48 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Thanks heaps guys. Im checking it out tonight and Ill be taking your advice with me. Ill keep you posted.

Well things were less stellar than expected. Fortunately it started pouring with rain the moment we arrived. Joy. I took it to a servo to give her a jolly good looking over. I didn't get very far as the underside of the oil cap had a lovely coat of cream.

Ok, checked out the Series 1. Good honest bloke. Car drives well and everything works bar the radio. Only things wrong with it were a bit of steering play and apparently the shocks are the originals, though they didnt seem too bad. Not perfect, but not dead either. Is it difficult to tighten the rack?

Radiator is apparently original. Temp gauge seemed to be slow to move when warming up and after a couple of taps seemed to give an accurate reading. Is this common? Easily fixed?

The gauges in VN's are renouned for sticking...Sometimes you can get to 80 k's (using only normal acceleration) before the speedo will move from 0...and the fuel gauges stick. Never had a problem with the temp gauge though in my VN. Sometimes the speedo w

Yep my first thought was thermostat also. I think Ill change it just for the hell of it whilst Im changing the fluid. I might pul the cluster out and give it a hit of silicon spray..... if I buy it. Thanks for the info.

Is the steering rack adjustable? Or does it require replacement?