davidlee,
hello, and welcome to the TM website.our colleague is right--call jimmy davis at the factory. he knows more than anybody but God.
they do take an active interest in all TM's--even pre-owned ones. we bought a 98 2720SL this past year, and got almost as good a deal as you may be getting--7,000.00. jimmy was and is a real help for advice. we did not have the concern that you describe, however. sounds rather suspicious. hopefully, jimmy will have your answer. if not, try God!He probably owns a TM, too. ;D good luck--2swans