I put a deposit on a '97 SSEI. The agreeable price is low, but there is things that need to be repaired. I would appreciate some idea what i might be getting myself into in $ and time..

1)pending code P0171- Lean burn in Bank 1. Problem shooting says to check fuel pressure and it also lists exhaust problem possibility. Don't like this one because i have seen it related to intake gasket problems on Fords.

2) The muffler is rotted in a corner and leaking clear water. In fact there seems to be a lot of moisture from exhausts and some white exhaust. But it'* clear tasteless water. If the gaskets were mush, wouldn't I see evidence of coolant in that water? Really sweet exhaust or chocolate motor oil?

3) The fuel gauge sits at empty. The car display has the Check Gauges lit, and a block below the trunk is lit on the screen. I'm guessing this could be a dead guage (would I have to replace the whole panel?) or fuel level sensor.

4) It has the 18 way seats. Their operation is hilarious. You try to adjust the driver seat, the passenger seat moves. It also does some other funnies. Is it difficult to work on those harmesses/relay/switches?

5) The performance ride and touring ride lights both stay on. I'm guessing the adjusting system is kaput?

6) Oil is dripping slightly down the oil pan. Where is the engine seal? Would it show oil on the pan, or is it likely just the pan/gasket?

7+) There is an almost rust rot hole above one of the rear tires in the well. There'* still enough around it to fix it. All the carpets and trunk are damp. Looks like they had them cleaned. There is no rust in the spare tire wheel well. They definitely removed some rust from the driver side pasenger floor. But the door gaskets have shrunk, and would probably end up coming down the B column. These I'll have to roll the dice on myself.

But for the other stuff, any input would be appreciated. thanks.

2. moisture from the exhaust is normal for a internal combustion engine

3. fuel level sensor

4. that must have the AL14 option shouldn't be hard to diagnose

5. CCR gone

6. oil pan and valve cover gaskets most likely

1. Could be something as simple as a corroded battery cable, but this code does have A LOT of possible causes. Several members chased this one down for months before finding new cables solved the issue.

2. Sweet exhaust would be a sign of coolant being burned. This was a dex-cool car, so gaskets may need to be replaced, but sounds like it could be normal condensation in the exhaust.

3. Fuel level sending unit. The lit "Block" is the symbol for empty and would be illuminated if the gauge is reading empty.

4. Check for any signs of moisture on the floor, under the seats. I have never done work on them, but they appear to be easily fixable. I would be more concerned if you find evidence of moisture.

5. System is toast. Does it still have the original struts or have they been replaced?

6. Very likely to be a pan gasket. Seems to be fairly common on 96-99.

7. Don't really ever have to deal with rust in the desert, so you'll need a "rust belt buddy" to answer this one for ya.

RE: AL14 .... They really soaked the floor with that carpet cleaning unit. It smells all purty, but is covering just how much of a leak problem there is. I'm assuming shorts are a real possibility?

RE: CCR... They look to be the original struts. What'* the downside of leaving that problem go for a while?

RE: gasket issues.... with a 100K on the car, I know I'm going to have to go after them quickly

This is really helping me. Thanks. I just don't want to have something massive that I think is a nothing big.

Lean bank could be as simple as the 02 harness in contact with a plug wire.

Leave the CCR. No loss until you're ready to replace them with conventional struts. They should have failed in the last used position.

ccr, no "downside" per say, just won't work. it can be eliminated so the lights go out.

al14'* was a joke , they are al7'* , but are 9-way seats. that'* why I doubled the 7 to make 14, since you doubled the 9 to make 18

some gaskets go by now, mine went to 260K before I changed them and found out they really didn't need to be changed, ymmv

Also, check the operation of the sunroof (if it has one) and the air and heat (all modes). No traction control or ABS lights on?

I am assuming this is for the Black 40th? Did they come down at all on the price?

Sonoma, you are such a buster. First the "internal combustion" thing, then the seats. I like you.

Ran the sunroof through its steps. Checked the headliner for stains from a seperated drain tube. No lights except for that gas gauge thing.

Black 40th? Do you think somebody as wrenchchallenged as I am would consider a limping Bonne, if an RPO didn't say....

Y40!
Going out for an hour, be back to see if you guys have any more thoughts on this stuff.

Thanks, again.

The oil pan gasket is easy to change. No crossmember in the way. I think I've read here from some of the supercharged guys that there are oil cooler lines in the way on the blower cars; they'll chime in directly.

Sounds like a fairly solid ride. Mind if I ask how much?

where is the rust? on the outer edge, or inside the wheel well? the wheel well can get fixed , CorvetteCrazy did it. on the quarter panel is a little tougher.