1987 Chevrolet Astro from North America - Comments

Valve cover gaskets went out, leaking oil. Could not keep coolant in radiator.

I think there was head gasket problem.

Headlight went out.

Worst of all, tie rod end fell off, almost causing me to wreck it.

I've never been so scared in my life!

I purchased this van for $1100.The person who sold the van said it was in good shape. I was just deceived!

It immediately began to lose coolant, but could not find it externally. Shortly after it began leaking oil.

One day, without warning, while driving it the tie rod end fell off! I happened to be on a busy road!I managed to get it off the road til help came. I had it towed home. I parked it and never drove it again!I sold it for just $125.I felt it was not worth fixing.

I might consider purchasing a Chevy--but not an Astro after that disaster!

I decided I like cars better.

When you buy your next vehicle, take someone with you who knows something about cars...

Why do you say that? Do you pretend to be a know it all?

I don't pretend at all - I DO know it all!

Before taking a LONG test-drive, check oil and coolant levels when cold, before even starting the engine.

If owner/dealer balks at letting you take a long test drive, offer to put a few gallons of gas in the tank.

If he still resists, he's hiding something. Walk away.

At end of test-drive, check them again, after letting engine cool off a little so you don't get scalded by hot water/steam when you remove the radiator cap.

If coolant level has dropped or if there's oil in the water, walk away.

Ask to see documentary evidence of oil and filter changes.

There are millions of cars out there.

Buy one with low mileage and full service history, unless the price is so low you're sure it must be a good deal.

Some cars are not worth having, even as a gift.

It's not rocket science.

There's no law against buying a good one.

To the poster of the above comment: Yes, that's good sound advice to anyone looking to buy a used vehicle.

Any problems should be detected if one does as you have described...

I would agree that the original reviewer should have taken someone along who knows cars. Valve cover gaskets don't just "go out". They gradually shrink over thousands of miles, and if they were leaking oil, it would have been immediately apparent upon lifting the hood during the initial visual inspection of the vehicle. It didn't start leaking oil shortly after you bought it--it was leaking oil the whole time. Nor is this that major of a problem, anyway, since you can often retorque the valve cover bolts to retighten and seal the gaskets. The headlight going out is not even worth complaining about. If you think that a burnt out headlight translates into a "disaster" then you shouldn't even buy a used car. If the head gasket had been blown, this would also have been immediately apparent during the test drive by the white steam mist blowing out the tailpipe, or by green droplets in the crankcase oil, which again would have been apparent during the visual inspection. There are also other possibilities for the coolant loss. The tie rod end failure should also have been anticipated from inspecting for uneven tire wear, or for wobbling in the steering. This van didn't sound all that bad for only $1,100, and the problems certainly don't add up to Astros being disastrous junk, especially for someone who would be a little more knowledgeable about vehicles. Knowledge (or lack thereof) has a price tag. You can either educate yourself about vehicles to have the confidence to buy used, or just sign the loan papers and make the monthly payment.

Just ABOUT all the problems you had are normal wearing parts. I think a new car would have served you better.