How to check the engine when buying a car

Buying a car with mileage is a very responsible procedure, as it provides for a large number of legal and technical inspections. As for technology, ie analysis of the condition of the vehicle itself, when buying a used car maximum attention should be paid to the most expensive items: body, engine, transmission, individual components of the chassis and steering.

We also recommend reading the article about it, how to start the engine, if the car stood for a long time. In this article you will learn about the basic requirements and recommendations for successful engine start after a long downtime.

If the condition of the body can be assessed visually, and the serviceability of the chassis is easy to check on the lift and test on the road, then with the engine to solve the problem is not so simple. Usually, the seller will not allow you to open the motor for diagnostics. Similar difficulties arise in that case, when it is necessary to check the removed engine when buying a contract power unit.

In this article, we intend to talk about it, how to check the condition of the engine when buying a car on gasoline, and what methods help to check the diesel engine when buying a car.

Check the used engine before buying

Let's start with that, that much about the state of the engine can be learned by visual inspection of the engine and bonnet space. First of all, should be remembered, externally clean engine, which starts and works, does not mean yet, that the motor is fully functional and in good condition.

Experienced masters at the service station are well aware of this, also familiar with this car dealers and not quite honest sellers. For this reason, you need to know clearly when assessing the condition of the used internal combustion engine, what to look for.

so, let's deal with that, how to check the engine when buying. First of all, even if you do not have much experience, it is not necessary to tell the car dealer about it. Try to refrain from any unnecessary comments, follow the step-by-step instructions, which we will discuss below.

• Before you start inspecting the engine, start with simple questions about repairing and maintaining the car and engine. Ask, what and when was done on the engine, at what mileage the engine oil was last changed, when replacing belts and rollers or timing chain, antifreeze, spark plugs, etc.. P.
• Also ask about the type and brand of oil poured (example, synthetics, semisynthetics, 5W30 or 10W40) and other technical fluids. In parallel, observe the clarity and transparency of the answers and the reaction of the owner.

This approach will immediately identify or reseller, who does not know the history of the car, or a careless owner, who did not pay proper and timely attention to the car.

Visual inspection of the engine

Then you can proceed to the review of the engine. If the seller prohibits or knowingly complicates access to individual external elements under the hood, then it is better to refuse purchase of such car at once. In that case, if no problems occur, you can continue.

As we have said, first, what you need to pay attention to, these are traces of engine oil. Oil stains or traces of antifreeze will indicate a leak through the gaskets, seals and other seals. In some cases, such problems can be solved without significant financial investment, while in others the oil can be squeezed out as a result of serious engine malfunctions.

We also recommend reading the article about it, why the oil "drives" through the engine breather. In this article you will learn about the methods of diagnosis and various causes of this phenomenon.

It turns out, a worn gasket or seal may leak, which is not so difficult to change. However, in some cases, similar leaks can occur for other reasons. Example, when the engine was overheated, The cylinder head can then "tell", that is geometry of a privalochny plane is broken. As a result, replacing the gasket will not solve the problem.

Let's add, that even if nothing serious happened to the engine, dirty engine with stains will indicate that, that the owner for any reason does not pay due attention to the condition of the vehicle, carelessly operates the car, etc.. P. That says it all, that the rules of maintenance, oil changes and consumables could be systematically violated, which is very bad for the resource of the unit.

The flip side of the coin can be considered and recently washed, completely clean engine. Usually, washing the hood space is done in two cases:

• in order to give the overall appearance of the car;
• to hide oil and technical fluid leaks;

Unfortunately, the second case is much more common, since a serviceable motor is rarely washed before sale. Moreover, sellers separately sharpen the buyer's attention to that, that the engine is dusty and the engine is not specifically washed, that is, clearly visible, that there are no leaks.

Anyhow, detection of stains is a cause for concern and / or bargaining. A clean engine should also alert, which requires closer scrutiny. The engine can be considered the best option, which is covered with a small layer of old dust, at the same time has no stains.

Check the condition of oil and antifreeze

If you don't know, how to check the diesel engine when buying or you are interested in checking the gasoline unit, then it is necessary to begin with an estimation of a condition of technical working liquids in internal combustion engines. We are talking about engine oil and coolant cooling system.

• Let's start with butter. The first thing you need to unscrew the oil filler cap. Ideally, the lid itself should be without traces of obvious oiling on the outside, the inner surface should also not be dirty, with traces of oil foam, etc.. P. The latter statement is also true of the walls of the neck.
• Next, you can get an oil dipstick and assess the condition of the oil. If it is fresh, transparent, has no impurities and foam, then it will be difficult to identify anything quickly. Black oil says so, that or oil has not changed for a long time, or the oil turns black quickly as a result of general engine and contamination.

That should be especially alarming, that the oil in the engine may foam, that is, an emulsion is formed on the lid of the oil filler neck and / or on the probe. In this case, it becomes obvious, that liquid from the cooling system enters the lubrication system. Note, that in this case or immediately bargain with the seller the cost of a similar contract engine / overhaul, or discontinue further examination.

As for checking the engine for cooling, the task comes down to that, to determine the breakthrough of gases and their entry into the specified system, as well as to detect the possible appearance of traces of oil in the coolant. For diagnostics it is enough to open a cover of an expansion tank. If traces of oil are visible, there is a revival of the coolant in the tank on the running engine, then the problem is obvious.