The Camaro Club (UK)

Hi Did any one on here view a 4th gen convertible camaro red with graphics recently.Seller has tricked me big time and at some point ,block sealer has been added to mask faulty engine and lasted 130 miles . He denies all knowledge lol. From Worcester Park. May be only head gaskets but could be worse. Anyone with any information or knows of any 3800 series 2 v6 engine for sale please post replies. Always thought all the American car guys were good. Beware.Any suggestions welcome if this has happened to you. Advertised as all in very good condition.. Obviously not. Many thanks

Sorry to hear Andy. I don't recognise the car of the license plate. The American car scene tends to be good... if the person is in the scene in the first place vs. just owning an American car. Forums are usually a good place for buying stuff as you can see how long the person has been a Member and see posts they've written to see what they're like as a person. Unfortunately there are people that aren't in the scene but flip yanks because they saw an American car tv show where they made some money doing so (quite a few people getting in on this, artificially driving up the price). An enthusiast will usually spend half the day with you telling you everything about the car, we've got people on here that still talk to new owners of the previous cars to help out with things. That's the true part of the community.

It sounds like maybe the person who had your car before just wanted a cool car for a bit, then had found an issue and taped it up quickly to sell rather than looking into it. Sorry to hear this happened and unfortunately it's one of things that happens too often with used cars. It's hard as some things aren't apparent to the previous owner and they only come out later. When i bought my 3rd gen the alternator went out and a heater hose split within a short time, but there's no way the previous owner could have known of that. Then there are other times when someone sells a car because of an problem and doesn't mention it because they know it either won't sell, or will sell at too low of a price. My experience with buying a used car is that 99% of the time there is at least 1 thing wrong with it. Shame we don't have a lemon law like in California.

Well, the good thing is you're in the right place now, members will be glad to help with any ideas on getting your car on the go. What kind of issues is the car having? Is it overheating / drinking oil / coolant?

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Thanks for the reply. Current issues slight coolant loss, pressurising of coolant system. Has overheated once. Also I think the cat is now blocked as car won't rev past 2000 revs . Might take out cat and retest. Any suggestions welcome or if anyone has a pair of heads for 3.8 v6 series 2 these may come in handy if I pull heads and they are cracked. Anyone done the heads with engine in situ . Cheers

There's no such person as an honest seller, its down to you to ask the right questions and investigate what's in front of you.
My father did a trade deal with his Austin 101A I think, for an Austin A40.
I know his Austin was in good running order it had a six cylinder motor maintained by my father who was a mechanic fitter at Dodge Trucks UK, formerly Commer Cars.
On the way back down the A5 the six put a rod through the block.......shit happens.
I bought a 1962 Vauxhall Victor on the way home it seized
a front wheel bearing solid.....shit happens.

I'm sorry for your first American car experience it is disappointing and exasperating plus the extra mooney you now have fork out.

I'd go for rebuilding what you have rather than buy a second hand unknown motor, which might also be a pig.

Buyer beware.

Sounds a shame, and very hard to prove if they knew.
Hope you get the car sorted and running. Pretty sure that 3.8 V6 was in a few other GM cars so parts shouldn't be too hard to come by.

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“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

In May I did a rebuild on my transmission, bought all the best parts $800, and had a professional do the job 900€uros.
Bought a B/M Traveler torque converter from Summit $489.22(less shipping and import), replacing the Holeshot.
That was May, two weeks ago the converter started whining, apparently a Torrington bearing is to blame.
I can´t do anything as it´s been over a month since installation.

The next one I´ll get from Summit on EBay, there you can get a year´s insurance on the part for just under $30.