1991 diesel in California

[skater]

1991 Airstream B-190 Turbodiesel - RARE - $14,500 (vallejo / benicia)

[Blair]

In the video, "super nice" comment mentioned a few times,,,,,but it doesn't run.

[skater]

In the video, "super nice" comment mentioned a few times,,,,,but it doesn't run.

Yeah but it's a diesel!

Somehow I completely overlooked that it wasn't actually running. And they don't specify WHY it's not running...if it were something cheap and easy you'd think they would have fixed it before selling, so it's not a good sign.

[Blair]

In the video, "super nice" comment mentioned a few times,,,,,but it doesn't run.

Yeah but it's a diesel!

Somehow I completely overlooked that it wasn't actually running. And they don't specify WHY it's not running...if it were something cheap and easy you'd think they would have fixed it before selling, so it's not a good sign.

yep, the big why don't it run?

[LuckyLuther]

I've had my eye on that 1991 B190. I called the mechanic today. It's not a pretty picture. Previous owner ran biodiesel in one of the tanks and it had been sitting for years. The biodiesel was like a thick gel and it was in the fuel lines, injectors, pump etc. The tank was cleaned and coated on the inside and everything else was replaced. They got fuel to the engine, still won't start. Mechanic has a hunch the biodiesel gummed up the piston rings. Since it hasn't been started yet, nobody has driven it so they don't know what other problems it has i.e. transmission, rear end, brakes etc. etc. Since it hasn't been driven for years I imagine there are some seals and gaskets that are dried or cracked.

[skater]

I've had my eye on that 1991 B190. I called the mechanic today. It's not a pretty picture. Previous owner ran biodiesel in one of the tanks and it had been sitting for years. The biodiesel was like a thick gel and it was in the fuel lines, injectors, pump etc. The tank was cleaned and coated on the inside and everything else was replaced. They got fuel to the engine, still won't start. Mechanic has a hunch the biodiesel gummed up the piston rings. Since it hasn't been started yet, nobody has driven it so they don't know what other problems it has i.e. transmission, rear end, brakes etc. etc. Since it hasn't been driven for years I imagine there are some seals and gaskets that are dried or cracked.

Oh that really sucks. Ouch.

[Blair]

RUN AWAY!!!!

[LuckyLuther]

Actually went and looked at it today. The YouTube video makes it look better than it actually is. All the decals are cracked and peeling, the body is straight and the interior is in good shape. According to the work order, its been sitting for 5yrs. and it shows, exterior rubber seal are cracked and falling. Previous owner put a Banks Turbo Charger. Too bad it sat for so long. IMO its not worth the risk for $14500.

[LuckyLuther]

Actually went and looked at it today. The YouTube video makes it look better than it actually is. All the decals are cracked and peeling, the body is straight and the interior is in good shape. According to the work order, its been sitting for 5yrs. and it shows, exterior rubber seal are cracked and falling. Previous owner put a Banks Turbo Charger. Too bad it sat for so long. IMO its not worth the risk for $14500.

[skater]

Actually went and looked at it today. The YouTube video makes it look better than it actually is. All the decals are cracked and peeling, the body is straight and the interior is in good shape. According to the work order, its been sitting for 5yrs. and it shows, exterior rubber seal are cracked and falling. Previous owner put a Banks Turbo Charger. Too bad it sat for so long. IMO its not worth the risk for $14500.

The decals cracking and peeling is pretty normal for these, especially at that age. But the diesel thing...that's rough.

Just to ballpark potential costs: The long block looks to be $4500-$5k alone (note, that's a later year engine, with the turbo, so it might not be the correct one for this van). The rebuild kit is available on Amazon (of course) for $1,095, which assumes the heads are reusable (I would think so if the fuel issue is the reason it won't start, but I have no idea for certain - and who knows, maybe it won't start because a piston is in pieces). Either way, there's going to be a ton of labor, and probably a bunch of "while you're doing this, you might as well replace that" sort of things. And these types of jobs almost always have a "oh, look, there's something we didn't expect to have to replace" component, too.

[Blair]

Just saw on B190 Facebook, this was purchased for $12k, and cost $114 to fix.

[Blair]

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