Going to look at an 86 Voyager

[MikeL]

New to the forum. Going to look at a 86 Voyager tomorrow. 13K original miles. Original owner. Asking $1700. Great buy, the year to stay away from, potential problems, etc.,????? He said he started and drove it every year. Changed oil also. Thanks for taking it easy on the new guy. Mike

[debron]

Mike, check the igniter, the black box on top, under the faux tank cover. Original '86 and early '87 had an igniter that could cause the starter chain to break when starting the engine with a battery with a less than full charge. The "bad" igniters have a number ending in 1179. The good igniters have a number ending in 1248. If the number is missing, it's an 1179. Not a deal breaker if it has the original igniter, just be aware that that is the first thing you would want to replace.

Also ask the seller about how he changed the oil. The XII has two drain plugs and the oil must be drained from both to get it all out. If not, then you will end up with too much oil in the engine which will cause problems. Actually, you should change all fluids yourself immediately, that way you will know what you have.