Not running why?

[Quattros4]

I am going to check out this donor car today. It doesn't appear to have sustained major damage in the accident but the owner says it instantly shut off in the accident and doesn't run. Do you guys have any ideas why it wouldn't be running? What questions should I ask when I go look at it?

More information: he states it's been sitting for a few months and he hasn't tried to start it. It was impounded after the crash so maybe the sitting has something to do with it not starting.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwi/cto/4609002326.html

[longislandwrx]

if the accident crushed the airbox/snorkus it may have stalled. MAF is also on that side. Keep an eye out for any damage to the timing belt covers, it takes very little to send something into them.

[Quattros4]

Thanks for the info!

[gwarden]

If timing was hit or belt slipped there will be damaged valves

[longislandwrx]

If timing was hit or belt slipped there will be damaged valves

or worse. keep that in mind when negotiating the price.

[Quattros4]

Yeah. He basically said he would take 2500 if he gets to keep the sti wing and greedy exhaust. That's perfect for me because I don't need those things. It was one of those weird situations and i didn't feel comfortable purchasing at the moment. This guy was selling it for his Spanish speaking friend but the title was in his name. It was just a weird situation. So I'm taking today to think about it haha.

[billjr212]

that's a good deal even if you have to do some work to the motor. At $2,500, you could likely sell off enough parts to make that donor "free" without too much trouble.

the title situation sounds a little funky, but shouldn't be a hang up in Illinois anyway. Just make sure you get a bill of sale with the same name the title is in. Notarized bill of sale or copy of the drivers license would be even better.

[STiPWRD]

That's not a bad deal especially if you're comfortable with the prospect of rebuilding the engine. The seller's description of the engine just shutting off all the sudden sounds very similar to my old wrx when one of the timing pulleys seized up and caused the timing belt to get wrapped around the crank pulley. The car was idling and then just shut off all the sudden. If it was me, I'd just buy the donor and rebuild the motor. That way you know it will last.

[Quattros4]

What will I be looking at cost wise to rebuild. I had looked into that but heads aren't very cheap or easy to come by on ebay.

[STiPWRD]

I bought some used heads from an 02 wrx on ebay for $480 and then tore them down and rebuilt them with upgraded components that cost $1200. The cost will depend completely on what your goals are in terms of budget and power. I usually start with a budget but end up blowing it and getting nicer components more often than cheaper components.

[Bob_n_Cincy]

I bought new valves, belt, waterpump, head bolts and a gasket set from rockauto. About $500
See http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?10401-Finished-my-disassembly-the-day-the-manual-came-out
Bob

[Quattros4]

Oh perfect. I rebuilt an audi v6 and it cost closer to 2k. That seems very affordable. Thanks!

[ssssly]

Could be a large realm of things from the simple and free to the full rebuild.

Could be it knocked the battery loose, intake air, MAF, timing, if its a manual it will just stall in a crash. Get some pics and I can narrow it down a bit.

[Colonist]

Inertia fuel cutoff switch?

[gwarden]

I bought my donor for 1600 not running bent valves. Spent about 1000 on parts and tools to rebuild it and have sold some parts for about 500 so far. If the engine runs when I get to the point of first start I will be a happy camper.
make internet search's for valve tools and timing cam tools you will need them to do a rebuild on your own.

[Quattros4]

It is a manual. I looked at the engine. It was caked in mud from the crash. He says he doesn't remember if water was involved but it was crashed into a ditch. I'm actually more inclined to believe it was hydrolocked in the crash now. I had him send me a picture to post up here. I am going back again to chat with him Monday.

http://i1273.photobucket.com/albums/y417/quattroaus4/PhotoAug2292809AM_zpsdfc22dc3.jpg (http://s1273.photobucket.com/user/quattroaus4/media/PhotoAug2292809AM_zpsdfc22dc3.jpg.html)

[ssssly]

Very well could have hydrolocked. Looks like the intake was under water.

I'd give it a tossup between hydrolocked and an electrical short.

[gwarden]

sure looks like a cam sprocket with no cover or belt behind that radiator hose, if it threw the belt then the valves may be ok

[Quattros4]

I don't know how I missed that gwarden. Sure is!

[longislandwrx]

nope that's the power steering pump.

looks like $600 in aftermarket sellable parts in that picture. I hope you bought it!

[mikeb75]

if you can get back to the car pull the intercooler/throttle body hose (IC only looks like it has 1 bolt holding it in...). Fast check for water in intake track (or oil from blow by). Like LI-WRX said, there's some money in that photo