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Potential Legend Buyers Please Read This First "buyer Beware"

56K views 94 replies 64 participants last post by  leem4883 
#1 · (Edited)
You are looking for a 2nd gen Legend and you think you have found one at a great price. You go look at it and it looks great, better than you thought, a great combination of luxury and power at a fair price. You test drive it about two miles down to the local grocery store and back. That's all it takes to know that this car is special. What a deal. Why would anyone want to sell a car like this? you ask yourself. You buy it and proceed on your way.
About a week later while out with your favorite girl or "other" and notice the temp gauge acting erratic. The next day you get on the internet and look for an answer. You find www.acura-legend.com and make your first post. It will look something like this: :eek2:

"I recently purchased a 95 Legend LS and have been searching the forum for misc. repairs I may need to do if the previous owner didn't take care of their car properly. I have been reading alot of threads about BHG and I think I have one but I'm not sure. My temp guage sometimes reads overheating and the RPMs go up and down. There is no coolant leak. Also, usually when idling, my heater sometimes blows cold air. From what I've read it sounds like a BHG, but I'm not sure. I was wondering what you all thought."

Over the past few months I have read a new post simular to this one at a rate of about 3 per week. Unbeknown to the new Legend owners, These cars have HEAD GASKET PROBLEMS. Owners/dealers are selling these cars with known problems. The problem is not very noticable and most "excited new owners" think it is a simple fix. It's not! You will spend a lot of $$$ trying to diagnose it only to find out it's got a bad head gasket that can only be repaired by removing the heads-$$$$-$2000 + and replacing the headgaskets.

If you are looking for a Legend to buy you must:

1. Do a complete test drive. Drive it at least 10 miles or more on the interstate at highway speed. After the test drive let it run for 5-10 minutes at idle. "MONITOR the temp gauge constantly during the test drive". Once it reaches normal temp it should not move any. Any movement of the temp needle after reaching normal temp is a "RED FLAG". Normal temp is about 1/3 up from the bottom of the range. If it doesn't come up to normal temp it could be an indication that the thermostat has been remove to relieve the overheating symptoms enough to sell it.
2. ASK the tough questions. "Has this car had ANY overheating problems?" Tell them you are aware of the headgasket problems with this model. Watch their reactions to the tough questions. Ask for a 3-5 day warranty on any overheating problems, write it in the bill of sale. Take it on a long trip within those 3-5 days.

I'm not making this up or being "paranoid". It's real. You will find yourself on the Headgasket Highway if you don't heed this warning.

BUYER BEWARE

2/13/06-
ok, need to ask a question. I just got this 93 LS legend a few weeks ago. Ran great. 171k miles, leather, all power..etc..i paid 1,250 for it from a guy i work with. Well, i go to start and drive from work parking lot and it now started over heating, this is the first time it overheated.
 
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#27 ·
funny thing is I'm thinking about selling my legend. Not for any engine problems or anything but I think the gas milegage is too low. As in I fill this up every week for around $40-50 (since I still use premium on my typeII). I do really like the car but well, hmm my parents even think it's costing me too much money to drive it around for normal commuting. It was a steal at $10,000 with 18,000 miles on it, I finally brought it up to 27,000 recently. The only thing I'd tell people about this car is that gas is going to suck, as in when it says 18 mpg and 23 for highway it definitely means it regardless of if you have a "heavy foot" or not. though i still feel like :hitit:
 
#29 ·
Is that car a Pearl White LS? If so, I will fly over there give you 10,000 cash and wash your dishes:yumyum:
 
#30 ·
Yulri said:
funny thing is I'm thinking about selling my legend. Not for any engine problems or anything but I think the gas milegage is too low. As in I fill this up every week for around $40-50 (since I still use premium on my typeII). I do really like the car but well, hmm my parents even think it's costing me too much money to drive it around for normal commuting. It was a steal at $10,000 with 18,000 miles on it, I finally brought it up to 27,000 recently. The only thing I'd tell people about this car is that gas is going to suck, as in when it says 18 mpg and 23 for highway it definitely means it regardless of if you have a "heavy foot" or not. though i still feel like :hitit:
Uhhhh, Yuri ... if you're in that much of a hurry to get rid of a 27K mile Legend, you bought it for $10K, and you haven't abused it in the 9K miles you've driven it, you're probably going to make money on the deal. My local dealer had a mint, low-miles Legend on their floor a few months ago for $16,000. Sold it in days. F***, I'll beg borrow and steal the $10K to take it off your hands if it's an AT w/leather vs. cloth.

Not only that, your mileage isn't terrible. I have a TSX (4cyl engine, lighter, smaller) and it stubbornly refuses to give me more than 18mpg in the city. Just suck it up, take good care of her, and she'll take good care of you :)
 
#34 ·
ok folks, I am starting to look for a second gen Legend and am happy to have found this forum.

I am a bit concerned about the common BHG problems you all have experienced. I found a nicely maintained car with 100K miles on it. However, it sounds like the HG may wear out around 100K. Does this seem to be a wear/age issue or do these thing blow because of a severe over-heating situation? I have always loved the look of the legend and finally decided I need to have one. Just not sure if it is worth the risk. I am mechanically inclined and probably have all the tools needed to work on this thing but the time I do not. It would potentially take me a month to get through 48 hours of work as someone posted BHG replacement requires....

Thoughts?
 
#35 ·
Mike Diaz said:
I replace head gaskets for $1250 if somebody brings me either an engine or a car. That's including gaskets, and milling the heads flat. I can get it done in 2-3 days if my schedule isn't booked up.
I haven't had any bad experiencee with overheating quiet yet. but the mileage is getting there. 165,985k miles. Is it possible to do a "Head Gasket Replacement" maintenance to prevent future over heating problems?

...........and of course the water pump, & new radiator and other monthly services.
 
#36 ·
No reason to replace the HG's unless you have a BHG. You may not ever get a BHG. Might be a good idea to start a BHG savings fund so you will be ready if it happens.
 
#38 ·
bdraider said:
ok folks, I am starting to look for a second gen Legend and am happy to have found this forum.

I am a bit concerned about the common BHG problems you all have experienced. I found a nicely maintained car with 100K miles on it. However, it sounds like the HG may wear out around 100K. Does this seem to be a wear/age issue or do these thing blow because of a severe over-heating situation? I have always loved the look of the legend and finally decided I need to have one. Just not sure if it is worth the risk. I am mechanically inclined and probably have all the tools needed to work on this thing but the time I do not. It would potentially take me a month to get through 48 hours of work as someone posted BHG replacement requires....

Thoughts?
I'm in bdrader's exact situation as well. Anyone have any insight as what causes BHG?

From a FAQ here I read: "How do you prevent this from happening to your Legend you ask? Just make sure you do all the scheduled maintenence and take care of your cooling system, DON'T let your engine overheat!"

Is it the theory that if the cooling system is well maintained, BHG won't happen, but if you have a small leak/weak water pump etc. and it gets a little hot that then causes a head gasket to blow?

Or is it the case that no matter what you really do, BHG is gonna bite anyway.

I realize that any car left to overheat will blow a head gasket and maybe warp a head, but this problem just seems too common for it not to be a design defect.

I'm on the fence here, but an Achiiles' heel I don't need. If I get one I want to drive it 150,xxx more miles with no serious problems --- just like I have with my Accord (245,xxx and doing very well, never any big issues.)
 
#40 ·
From what I've read here, overheating is usually what causes a bhg. I generally watch my gauges on any car I drive for things like overheating, oil light, and etc...... I generally check my oil and water 2-3 times a week out of habit since it only takes a couple of minutes to do so. Would you say this is fairly good preventive maintenance? I had my oil pump to go out on the Mustang one night about 2 o'clock in the morning on the highway doing 75 mph, but I caught it right after it went out, and shut the car down, and saved the motor and my Supercharger. So now I'm really watching things...
 
#41 ·
New Legend owner

Waz up everyone? This is my first time posting anything as I am new to this site. My story goes like this: Today I bought a 91 Legend L 4D Sedan in mint condition inside and out. It was originally being sold for $3800. The owner decided to take it to a mechanic for a final checkup when it suddenly overheated. The mechanic checked and said it was the water pump and not a BHG. After "supposedly" changing the water pump he discovered that there was a very very small amount of antifreeze leaking out of the engine and then claimed that it did have a BHG. I drove the car and it did not overheat again. It has no sputtering in the engine and does not blow any smoke at all. I went on the fact that the mechanic said it had a BHG and negotiated the price down to $1600. I put in on a trailer and hauled it from NJ to VA and dropped it off at a trusted mechanic to be checked. The way I see it, if it has a BHG then I pay 2G's and still save $200 off of the original price. If it is something that can be fixed for $500, then I got a heck of a deal.
TO BE CONTINUED...

P.S:I want to say whats up to my cousin, latinblast111. We did it!!!
 
#42 ·
In 99 in bought a 94 Legend LS 4Dr(122000km app.80000M) and after about 3 years of faithful problem free driving my temperature began to rise when in traffic but the car would be fine on the highway. The problem became worse and worse after 200000kms(120,000M). I eventually decided to let it go rather than fix that $$$ problem. In September of 05 I bought a 93 4dr with 293000Km(175000M) and it doesnt have the problem at all, I guess it all the luck of the draw(I only put 3000K on it so I hope I havent spoke to soon). How can you prevent this kind of problem other than routine maintenance???
 
#43 ·
ntujyug said:
For most people, including myself, by the time they discover this forum they have already own a Legend.
your probably right. I bought a '92 Legend LS that has a symtoms of BHG-but, i hope not! before i discover this. kinda desperate on the answer that i'm wanted to know but it's too late for me now. I hope it's not BHG and it just a simple vaccuum problem on mine.
 
#44 ·
well right now i will be a future G2 legend owner and I just known that the BHG is a huge problem in legends...now iam scared to buy a legend but i loved the legends since i was young (iam only 17)...should i take it to a mechanic before buying and how do u prevent a BHG??????


THANKS:(
 
#45 ·
sackingz123 said:
well right now i will be a future G2 legend owner and I just known that the BHG is a huge problem in legends...now iam scared to buy a legend but i loved the legends since i was young (iam only 17)...should i take it to a mechanic before buying and how do u prevent a BHG??????

THANKS:(
Same position as you :sadwavey: .. thats the only thing holding me back due to 150K on the car. 2-3 grand is a scary amount to think about .. especially if you dont have any $, because you blew it on the car lol. Eh..
 
#46 ·
Hey Bra
Thanks for the heads up. That's nice of ya to spread the word. I just purchased a 94 Gs 6sp, 4dr 2 weeks ago and your message scared the $%#^ out of me. It was hard enough getting this purchase past the wife in the first place. I haven't noticed any issues yet regardring a BHG but I will certainly try the test you suggested. Are there other symptoms, noises etc that identify this problem besides the temp gauge? Please let me know. This car is in really good shape and the guy took good care of it but with a 148K you never know. I have to replace the power antenna (common) and a couple of other things but nothing major so far. I haven't really taken it out for a hard ride yet as I don't intend to drive it hard. I will have to see what the top end will do eventually. Thanks Again, Shrek PS Love is blind when your in love witha Legend!!
 
#48 ·
Im new here, in fact this is my first post. I pretty much have every symptom described forthwidth. Only mines dumping oil into the chamber and making a nice big cloud of white smoke behind me. I wish i had of read this before purchesing my car, although i may have anyways just on my pure love for the car. My baby has 175,000 on it and i didnt notice any problems until about 3000 miles ago. Right now i have another car (toyota MR2) and thankfully i can give my legend the care she needs, but money is still going to be an issue. Great advice, i have a friend intrested in a Legend right now (she likes mine so much she wants one), ill make sure to refear he to this artical.
 
#49 ·
White smoke is Antifreeze, NOT OIL. Oil produces a blue smoke.

Also, something that needs to be added to this is to ask about the Speedometer. I've been seeing a lot of legends on autotrader and other places with what "appears" to be low miles but looking over the car really makes you question that.

I've hit a couple dealers hard with this question since getting my GS with the bad VSS and found out that two of the ones I was looking at due to price to possibly replace my '91 LS instead of waiting on the repair had bad VSS in them.
 
#51 · (Edited)
Wow..
I just bought mine a few weeks ago.. a 93 four door w/ 159k.. auto..
havent overheated.
***The most important factor here is that we have obviously found that the HG blows but the real Q?? is: Weather it is a "manufacturers defect / flaw in its design" or a Manufacturers defect in the "cooling system components " which start a chain reaction to kill the otherwise solid HG? or a wear and tear issue w/ cooling system components that wear out, and the owners did not cure it in time before killing the headgasket? or is it "negligent , uneducated, ignorant, naieve people who let there car go to crap and boom.. HG failure" or a combination of a few of these reasons..
After all who knows when these things typically go or how often?
If this is purely avoided thru consistent cooling system maintence .. then we have lil to worry about..
I wanna look into weather Acura had a RECALL on these for BHG???
If there is a flaw in its design and its not due to a Lack of Performing regular cooling system maintence .. then how do we permenantly fix a defect?
I am seriously thinking of putting mine up for sale ASAP if.. there is a recall on it. or they have a tendency to break IREGAURDLESS Of how well a person keeps it... =(
 
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