Ka service.

ash_scotland88 · 9 Apr 2011 at 19:54

Found a car for sale, yes I know it'll probally be laughed off this forum.
Car is a 2001 Ka 2, it's done 78,000miles and as of yet havn't asked about history etc.
Just wondering if there was or is due any major services. Something in my head says 80,000 needs quite a bit of work done to it.

Cheers for any help.

[TW]Fox · 9 Apr 2011 at 20:02

It's got an ancient, simple, chain driven engine. It will probably be worth about a grand tops, so all you really need to do with it is change the oil on a regular basis.

GT3 · 9 Apr 2011 at 20:06

Rust is the only main issue with these cars.

ash_scotland88 · 9 Apr 2011 at 20:07

Cheers, car is the matching bumper version, and currently going for £550. Would love a 306 but current budget wouldn't be able to stretch for a reasonable quality. I don't think.
I know that it's designed for a city car, but that's what it would be used for.
Including the trip from edinburgh to peebles, and maybe the odd trip through to glasgow. So going for this marketing crap I am the ideal audience....just a shame I have a dangly thing between my legs =P

peterattheboro · 9 Apr 2011 at 20:10

The Ka is quite fun. Very very light and very very chuckable. But as above..watch for rust.

Bennie-Mac · 10 Apr 2011 at 00:47

Im ashamed to admit that the Ka was actually my first car... Rust wasnt an issue on mine but then again it was only 6 years old when i got rid of it after a year and a bit ownership.

One thing to watch out for is the poorly designed radiator pipe which runs along inside the front drivers side wheelarch. On full left lock your tyre can actually rub on the pipe and eventually it can wear right through it and cause the engine to overheat. Theres no temperature gauge either so it can sneak up on you.

Apart from that theres not really much to go wrong with it. The pushrod engine is quite rough feeling compared to other small hatches from around the same year, but i have to admit it was such a laugh to fling about the back roads. Basic no frills motoring at its best

5abr3 · 10 Apr 2011 at 08:33

Girlfirends KA was forever having power steering problems. Rust and a large pothole eventually killed it!

bledd · 10 Apr 2011 at 12:44

It's worth getting a service kit for it tbh..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-KA-SERVI...326213&cguid=e8cea9d912e0a47a2456a276fff8e551

Something like that

Just need oil and you're away

aproctor · 10 Apr 2011 at 20:11

5abr3 said:
Girlfirends KA was forever having power steering problems. Rust and a large pothole eventually killed it!

Common problem, got my girlfriend a recon unit fitted for £300.

They are pretty reliable, check for rot on the sills and for leaks.

Personally i think they are ok but i would want it on a ramp first.

WhiteCobra · 10 Apr 2011 at 20:13

Only thing with the old Endura engines in these are the noisy tappets, you might want to get them adjusted when you get it... Mine would go noisy every 5-6 months

ash_scotland88 · 10 Apr 2011 at 20:15

well dad has chickened out coming to have a look, and no way for me to get there. He suggested speaking to our mechanic, but he is heavily unreliable. Been waiting 2weeks+ now for a simple pipe for their car, so if I ever find a car to actually get him there to look at it won't happen.
I also don't want him to source a car for me as a) I am fussy and b) if I don't like it I don't want the feeling of obligation to buy.

Bah.

atpbx · 10 Apr 2011 at 20:47

If its running and doesnt like its going to explode, isnt rusting the sills, boot, or at the bottom of the doors, or around the petrol cap, it will most likely be fine and not need anything other than an oil and filter change when you get it.

At this end of the market, and probably up to around the £1,500 mark, the key points are:

Is it running without smoke and a death rattle?

Is it leaking anything?

Is it rotton anywhere that is likely to cause problems for an MOT?

How much tread do the tyres have?

How much tax is on it?

How much MOT is left.

Thats pretty much all you need to worry about as everything else (replacing brake pads, wheel bearings, bushes, pipes, filters blah blah blah) you can either do yourself or get done without too much expense.

In other words, dont worry about taking your dad or a mechanic, just take your common sense and you will be fine.

5abr3 · 10 Apr 2011 at 23:34

aproctor said:
Common problem, got my girlfriend a recon unit fitted for £300.

They are pretty reliable, check for rot on the sills and for leaks.

Personally i think they are ok but i would want it on a ramp first.

Yeah sounds about right price wise, it had a few other issues through its life, when buying one it's worth trying to look at the spare wheel as they tend to end up in pretty bad shape due to them hanging under the boot.