Checking out a car....

[bozz]

Hi, I'm a potential new owner in UK, who has been searching for a SRT10 vert for a year. Next wrek, I'm going to check over a Gen 4 - 2008 Canadian registered car in Europe. I'm mechanically minded, so what are the Viper faults/gremlins I should be aware of....?

[MtnBiker]

Throttle lag sucks balls.

[Steve M]

Oil cooler lines (runs from the front passenger side of the engine compartment down to the block above the oil filter) - the OEM lines are known to leak. Look for any other obvious leaks while you are down there (power steering, oil pan, etc.).

I'd remove the underbelly pan if you can get the car up in the air - look at the transmission and differential for any signs of leaking. Check to see if there are any service records for the car...see if the transmission and differential oils have been changed. If not, they are due. Same thing for the coolant...if it hasn't been changed, I'd change it.

If you are so inclined, remove the airbox assembly from the throttle bodies...you need only a flathead screwdriver (or 5/16" socket) to do so. The front of the airbox is held in place with a couple of thumb screws. Don't forget to disconnect the MAF sensors - the airbox pulls up from the front, and then pull it towards you to remove the accordion hoses from the throttle bodies. You'll likely see oil trails in the throttle bodies...see if there's any residue. It's nothing major...these cars tend to ingest oil from the crankcase vent, and it ends up in the intake manifold and throttle bodies. It does introduce knock, and that's not a good thing for performance (or your engine).

Other than that, just give it a good once over to check for any obvious signs of damage (scrapes, bent anything, etc.). It'll likely have scrapes under the front bumper (normal), and the side sills will probably be a little sandblasted (again, normal).

[Steve M]

Oh...look in the clutch master cylinder reservoir (around where the fuse box is on the driver's side). If it is black, that'll need to be changed too, and could be a sign that the car wasn't well maintained (a lot of people do overlook this fluid though).

[Roddy]

Power windows... Make sure they work before you buy. The regulators are know to crap out and the parts alone are pricey unless you can find someone to give you some for free

[bozz]

Thanks all for that info -
Throttle response comes as no surprise...!
The seller has arranged for the car to be seen up on a ramp so I'll be able to have a good look for leaks.
Somewhere I'd read about the windows but thought it was older models

I'll post pictures if 'I seal the deal' next week and then the questions will start.....

[sonicbloo]

Nothing to add, but good luck from a fellow UK newbie. Like you, I was looking for a gen 3/4 convertible until I managed to get my 06 coupe 3 weeks ago. These cars are so hard to find in the UK, we don't have too many to choose from so patience is a big virtue! I've seen the pics of the car you are looking at, and hope the deal goes well. Where in the UK are you?

[Roddy]

Thanks all for that info -
Throttle response comes as no surprise...!
The seller has arranged for the car to be seen up on a ramp so I'll be able to have a good look for leaks.
Somewhere I'd read about the windows but thought it was older models

I'll post pictures if 'I seal the deal' next week and then the questions will start.....

Gen III and Gen IV for sure; window regulators... A couple hundred bucks a peice.

[bozz]

Roddy - you've obviously experienced the problem - what is the cause of the failure?

Sonicbloo - Hi, Northumberland based; just north of Newcastle. Work has prevented me from checking out the car at an earlier date but the seller has been very helpful with information and photos. Fly out at tbe weekend, so fingers crossed.....then.the fun starts with getting it home, tested and plated.

[Steve M]

Roddy - you've obviously experienced the problem - what is the cause of the failure?

Sonicbloo - Hi, Northumberland based; just north of Newcastle. Work has prevented me from checking out the car at an earlier date but the seller has been very helpful with information and photos. Fly out at tbe weekend, so fingers crossed.....then.the fun starts with getting it home, tested and plated.

Mine haven't failed since I've owned it (yet), but from the research I've done, it seems to mostly be caused during install. Apparently, the hole to fish everything through is tight, and this can cause you to over flex parts of the assembly, causing cracks that eventually fail. The Gen 3/4/5 cars use the same basic regulator...they've made running changes to the part, but it is essentially the same part for all years. In the Gen 5, however, they revised the opening you fish it through, helping eliminate install errors.

From what I've read, you have to be very patient during install - don't force it, or you'll end up repeating the process at a later date. Thankfully, mine have been fine since I bought my car 3.5 years ago.

[Vprbite]

Don't wory, steve m, I'm replacing your regulators for you by proxy. I had one fail while driving out of the dealership. Well. About 6 miles down the highway. Rolled it down and hear a nice loud craaaack! And I have one of the best techs in the country working on mine. They are just made poorly if nothing else.

[bozz]

Flew to Belgrade and the car checked out. Seller and garage owner couldn't have been more helpful. I was able to inspect the car up on a lift and it was pristine underneath....100% showroom condition and is a great drive. I'm now the lucky owner of a viper red Gen 4 vert
Hopefully I'll get the car back to UK in the next month....

[Leslie]

I have an '08 and the window had to be fixed and oil cooler lines replaced.
Ask when fluids were last changed and check tires, 7 yr.old car, hopefully newer tires are on it.

[Steve M]

Flew to Belgrade and the car checked out. Seller and garage owner couldn't have been more helpful. I was able to inspect the car up on a lift and it was pristine underneath....100% showroom condition and is a great drive. I'm now the lucky owner of a viper red Gen 4 vert
Hopefully I'll get the car back to UK in the next month....

Congrats! Pics?

[bozz]

Pictures will follow.....correction in colour - I should have said venom red.

[Steve M]

Solid color, or stripes? Also, what wheels?

[MtnBiker]

Congratulations! Another Viper in the UK is just fantastic! I don't know if this is your first snake, if so, be bloody careful!

[bozz]

5 spoke wheels with no stripes but that's just me. Pictures will follow later today when I've read the upload tutorial !
You're right that 'Careful' is the word, though I've a respectfully trained right foot as my present car is a Monaro V8.