Hi everyone. I have a few questions that you all might be able to answer or at least guide me. I flew to another state today to look at a 59 coupe deville that was for sale as a matter a fact im in the airport now. The price is in the low 20's. Car had a repaint about 10 years ago paint job is good except whoever painted it didnt really do a good job in the jams as i see primer. its like it was just painted with the doors closed, paint is also a little dull no luster. Here is what my concerns are. Under the car i saw there were some leaks in 3 diff spots. oil, and i think rad fluid and not sure what the others were. also the car ideled really rough to the point of sounding like it would stall at lights. had to hit gas and break at lights, the owner said it might need to be adjusted. also a few of the switches in side didnt work for the windows. i like the car and plan on having it inspected <any company suggestions?> but i just wanted your take on it. I know these are old cars but is this fluid thing common or is it the beginning of something. car has 116,000miles. thanks
I think someone else on here said it best about old Caddies:
If she ain't leakin', she's outta oil!
My 2 cents is that any external leak less than a hole in the block is cheap to fix. Sounds like a decent driver that could use a little TLC.
Stampie
PS - Bet that a 60 would idle smoother. Must be the inferiority complex that 59s have causing that.
The list of "it could be this or that" would be a mile long! Coolant leak could be a radiator or heater hose, the water pump, the radiator itself, or more than one of those things. Oil leaks could be tranny seals, rear main seal, valve cover gaskets, front seal, leaking oil sender, power steering hose or pump seal, leaking rear pinion seal, etc., etc., etc. Stalling/rough idle could be a myriad of things also, carb. in need of o'haul, vacuum leak, bad valve(s), old plug wires, worn spark plugs, ---- whew! Window switch problem could be broken wires where they go from the body into the door (fairly common), corrosion on the switch contacts (also fairly common, you can take those switches apart), bad electric motor, and, once again, etc. This is by no means a complete list --- as you can see it is no where near a mile long yet.
The cause of some of these problems might be plainly visible to the eye, others will take some search and diagnostic ability. None of these problems are uncommon for a vehicle of this age and mileage, especially if the vehicle hasn't been maintained properly as time went by and it sounds like this one has not been. Be sure you get a shop manual for the car whether you are going to fix it or you are going to pay someone to learn to do it (unless you know a mechanic familiar with a '59 Caddy), the manual will be needed!
Geoff N.
Low 20s? May be a bit high owing to what you describe here.
08-08-09
Fnoti, I think your qestion was...Where can I get soneone to inspect the car. I think you would have more luck puting in your post where the inspection job woulld be. Jim