I'm thinking of buying a 91 Acura Integra LS. The seller says it runs but gets hot, has 230k on the motor. How can I test to see what the problem is? Any pointers for a potential buyer? Thanks!

 

if ti's getting hot it one of four thing that can make this happen the most common is the thermosts there cheap and could result it a great car for cheap.

the next is a failing water pump if the impeller is bad (not going to list all the way it could be bad) then the water flow will not keep the engine cool.

and the dreaded head gasket. this can be ez to spot if there is water in the oil or a massive white cloud poring or the tail pipe but if the weather is realy cold where your at it is hard to tell. also if the car is cold and you start it and the rad hoses intantly get pressurized then you know you have a head leak.

it also could be a cloged radiator or broken rad fan but that depends on when it over heats rad fan usaly only happen when car is not moving

 

Thanks for the tips!

Does anyone have access to a service like Carfax? I'd be so grateful if you can check a VIN for me!

 

How much is he selling it for? A car the old with that many miles just isn't worth it unless it's super cheap in my opinion

 

Andrew has a point I just currently bought a d.a too clean interior clean exterior strong motor and 130xxx original miles never swapped never rebuilt for 1200 so look at the price and tell you're self is it worth it?