Hello fellers, I'm new to this forum but not new to cars. My wife wants to buy a 98 camaro my friend has that's been a college highway car for its entire life. 220 on motor and less than 40 on rebuilt tranny.

The problem: The owner thought the car had a bad coil because It was running rough. In its life they had to replace one. So I change all 3 and slam In a new battery to see if It cranks. When he turns the key this thing sounds dry as dirt. It kicks on but he has to be on the pedal for It to stay running otherwise it dies.

So I look at the motor and notice something leaking oil and sure enough, the oil pressure sensor is broken off at the threading. So we go to napa grab a new one and a jug of oil because when I checked the dip stick It said a quart low but It sounded worse. Replace the sensor add oil and crank it...same loud nasty dry motor noise. I check the dip stick and the oil mark is way over the full mark and looks muddy.

Forgot to mention that they had the belt snap off while driving which led me to believe is what cracked and eventually separated the sensor. He was driving the car home from Bryan tx when the car started acting weir# and died. They towed it the rest of the way. Checked the radiator and the coolant doesnt look bad.

Sorry about the long story, just wanted to put all I knew out to see if I could get a little help with this. Body and interior are in excellent shape but that means zip If I need a new motor right now...any ideas?

 

"Loud nasty dry motor noise" sounds like a spun bearing to me. And it would make sense given some of the symptoms you're describing.
DO NOT buy that car unless you get it running right, and quiet.