How do I know if the second hand vehice I'm buying has a good engine?
Answers:
Start the car, walk away and come back in awhile then stand close to all the sides while you smell and listen then each for atleast 1-2 minutes then look at the gauges. Are they out of range. Hear any funny noises or smell things burnt. As you look at the engine are any parts smoking, rattling or attempting to jump out of the car. If you still are in doubt then take it to a shop that you trust and have it checked. If the seller is honest they won't mind you doing any of this.
Take the car to a mechanic that you know and have it thoroughly checked out. Don't go and buy a car that is going to cost you more money! Be smart.
What I look for is odd noises, sounds that don't belong, then use your nose, smell the oil and trans fluid, if it smells burnt, stay away, look to see how clean the engine is, a clean engine often has something to hide, I say the dirtier the better.
Have a qualified mechanic do a compression test on the motor. This will give you a good idea of the engine condition!
Go to checkers, auto zone, pep boys and see if you can rent a compression tester, get the specifications for the engine and check all the cylinders. Remove the oil fill cap with the engine running and see if it has blow by, how you will know is there will be smoke coming from the oil fill port, a very little bit is acceptable, as the pvc valve will get rid of it, but you don't hardly want to see any. With the engine running look for any leaks from the oil pan, valve covers, coolant from the water pump, listen for any wierd noises like metaal on metal or grinding, go to the exhaust pipe and see if it is burning oil or smoking real bad, and listen to the exhaust, it sould not sound too broken, like the engine is missing. Also look at the motor to see it is not vibrating to bad, which could mean a motor mount is bad. Check the oil befor you start it and look for coolant in the oil (blown head gasket), also check the antifreeze before you start it for oil floating on the top (blown head gasket).
(Depending on the design of the engine)If posssible, remove the oil filler cap, using a small flash light, look inside and inspect for sludge build up.
Also look at the underside of the cap. Also if possible, use a flat blad scredwdriver and scrape inside the engine (where the oil cap was removed)If you scrape any sludge or caked up oil then you should be suspect about the engine.
Starting with a cold engine--observe for engine smoke from the exhaust pipe, also listen for engine knocks. Raise the rpm's up slowly and observe for the same.
Once the engine has reached operating temperature repeat the above procedure.
Obtain any maintenance records from the previous owner if possible.
A poorly maintained cooling system can also cause serious engine damage, it often results in the engine over heating and consequently, may cost hundreds if not thousands of dollars to correct.
First locate and remove ( COLD ENGINE ) either the radiator cap or coolant over flow bottle cap. Once removed, look inside the bottle or tank and determine the fluid level and color, if possible you may also use a syringe to sypon a small amount of fluid out.
The coolant should be green or a light pink color.
If it appears to be rusted or a brownish color then the cooling system may have been neglected for servicing.
Look at the underside of the caps that you removed as well, look for any type of corrosion or rust.
Jerry Christopher
http://www.usedcarwise.com
I would have a mechanic check it out and have a lemon check on it.
I can confirm that my own second hand vehicle has a good engine and it's fairly obvious to me when it's not running quite right. I cycle to work.
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