saleen coupe

Today i was looking at a car and i test drove it and liked it but when i got back the started steaming and we checked the coolant and there was none in it and the bottom hose was off. The temp gauge never got really hot and i drove it probably 7 miles, but now i'm concerned about head gaskets, should i stay away from the car or what? and the engine is fresh rebuilt and he said that he had only drove around 15 miles and has no idea how long the hose has been off (he left the clamp off) what do you think?

Dj_Seph

It probably hasn't been overheated that bad. If you're worried, clamp the hose back on and fill it with coolant. Drive it around 10+ miles and beat the **** out of it. Watch the temp gauge. IF it doesn't overheat and the oil isn't milky when you check it, you're fine.

Bubba 95SN

Question to be answered is that all he forgot to do? Refill with coolant and drive it.

.boB

Well, here's the problem. If the lower hose was off, you quickly pumped out all the fluid. The engine would seize up before the temp gauge pegged out, because it measures coolant temp, and there's no coolant to measure.

The risk of significant engine damage is high. If you can get it cheap, buy it and plan an overhaul.

stanks347

I would pass. be patient. you will know. it could have created other problems.