Me Exterior Inspection
A Word about Perforntiag Mess, Tests
If you are uncomfortable performing some of these tests-especially those involving the engine and the fluids-or if you don't trust yourself to make an accurate assessment, don't worry, you're not alone. Take the easy way out and simply make note to have those items you skipped checked when you have the car inspected by a mechanic. As we'll explain later, paying a professional mechanic to go over the car is a good investment.
Body Condition
Outside the car, look for signs of rust inside and around the wheel wells, window trim, and at the base of the doors. Look for discolorations or blisters in the paint and check the paint inside the trunk lid and hood. Is the paint all the same color? Are there any cracks or pits in the windshield? (In some states windshield "stars" will not pass inspection.)Look at the finish on the car. If it appears dull, that could mean that the owner has not washed it regularly. (In many parts of the country acid rain and salt will, if not washed off frequently, eat into the paint and ruin its luster.)Open and close doors. If they squeak or groan loudly, if they bind or lift when closing and opening, that might be the sign that the car has had major frame damage. Check to be sure that the door closes easily and fits flush.
Tires
When you look at the tires, check to see if they are all the same size and type. A mismatched set of tires can be dangerous and potentially cause problems in the rear axle. For example, you don't want to have radial tires mixed with bias-ply tires. (You'll find that tires are marked on the side to indicate if they are bias-ply or radial.)Look for uneven or irregular tire wear on the outside or inside of the tread. This tells you that the tires were not balanced properly or that there is a front-end alignment problem. If you happen to owna tire-pressure gauge, you might want to check the pressure in the tires. If you find that they are all different, this too is a sign of owner indifference.
If the car sports a brand-new set of tires, that could mean you got lucky and the owner decided to sell the car after purchasing the tires. On the other hand, the seller may have put them on to cover an underfying problem. For example, if a car has had frame damage and is out of alignment, a new set of tires can help hide that fact from the unsuspecting buyer.Generally, a set of tires should last for about 40,000 miles. If the seller does not know how many miles are on the tires, you can deter¬mine if there is a safe amount of tread left on the tire by taking a penny and inserting it so that Lincoln's head goes into the tread. If the tread is deep enough to cover his eyes, there are still some miles left on the tires.
Suspension
Press down hard several times in rapid succession on the corners of the car. Really get it rocking, then let go. The car should dip once and then settle back. If it continues to bounce, it probably needs new shocks, and that could cost you from $100 to $400 depending on the make and model. Faulty shocks are a serious defect and can cause poor handling and premature tire wear.Pull on the top of each front tire. If you notice any play in the wheel or if there are any chunks, it could mean that you have bad bearings or that the suspension joints are in need of replacement.
Engine Condition
Ask a friend or the seller to start the car. The smoke from the tailpipe should be barely visible. If it comes out black, that probably means too much fuel is being supplied to the cylinders and an adjustment should be made by a mechanic. However, if it comes out blue, that means that the engine is burning oil. If you notice a puff of white smoke on a cold day, that's okay; however, if there continues to be white smoke after the car has warmed up, that could mean that engine coolant is leaking into the cylinder head. Bottom line is that blue and white smoke are frequently indications of major engine problems, and it might be well to cross that car off your list.Listen for a backfire sound when you start the car. It is usually like a muffled popping under the hood. A backfire tells you that the engine or fuel system has a problem.
Engine RPMS
Once the car is started and has reahed operating temperature (this should take only a few minutes even while standing still and assuming the weather is above freezing), the car should idle at a fairly steady rate of RPM (revolutions per minute). If the car seems to run very fast at idle, or if it seems to surge, there is something wrong.For the mechanically minded: Keep in mind that smaller fourcylinder engines should idle somewhere at about 750 to 800 RPM. If the car has a tachometer (this is a gauge instrument that is usually marked RPM x 1000) you can read the RPM here. On an Eight-cylinder engine the tachometer should read around 500 to 600 RPM. The main thing you want to determine is whether or not the car idles at a smooth, consistent rate.
Listening to the Engine
Open the hood and listen to the engine. If you hear a pinging or a loud clicking, thumping, or knocking sound, that could mean trouble
Temperature Gauge
If the car has a temperature gauge, be sure that after a long period of running at idle the gauge does not rise into the red or danger zone. This would suggest that the car is running hot and that there is a problem ranging from a leak to the need for major repairs.
Ammeter or Voltage, Gauge
Some cars have an indicator that lights up to alert you to a charging¬system problem. This light will come on when you turn the key in the ignition and then, if the system is working properly, go out after the car has been started.Many cars have either an ammeter or a voltage gauge on the instrument panel. These gauges monitor the operation of the charging system. The arnrneter has a range from D, for discharge, to C, for charge. The voltage meter shows the state of charge of the battery. For example, in a 12-volt system a fully charged battery will show about 13 on the voltage meter.Changes in the voltage-meter numbers indicate how much voltage is required by the battery to keep it fully charged. The alternator must then channel current to the battery for charging. This gauge serves asa constant monitor of the charging systems and should work properly.
The Exhaust S'ystem
Get down on your hands and knees and look under the car. The exhaust system, i.e., the engine pipe, catalytic convertor, muffler, and tailpipe should be well anchored to the under carriage. The system should be secured with proper hangers and attachment devices. If you find that it all seems to be hanging six inches below the car and has been secured with wire or makeshift hanging devices, you'll want to think twice about buying the car.
The Pressure Test
If the exhaust system looks okay, you may want to perform a pressure test, although this is something that you could have a mechanic do for you.To perform the test yourself, hold a piece of wood or cardboard tightly against the end of the tailpipe-while the car is running-to stop the exhaust from leaving the tailpipe. The engine should begin to labor and sound like it's about to stall. That's good.However, if the engine continues to run at the same rate, does not appear to labor, and you hear noises popping out from different mysterious places, the car probably has one or more leaks in the exhaust system-usually from rust-through. This will have to be repaired to prevent exhaust fumes from filtering into the passenger compartment. While on many cars this is not all that expensive, on others it could be a major bill. This is an item that should be checked by a trained mechanic.
Ckecking under Me Hood
If the car has 10,000 miles or more on it, don't expect to see a clean engine compartment. On the other hand, if it looks too clean for its age, be a little suspicious. The owner might be trying to hide something. If you see signs of oil on the engine, that may mean some gaskets need to be replaced. Depending on which gaskets are causing the problem, this could be an expensive job. After you've taken the car out for a test drive-and a test drive is a must-recheck the engine for any signs of fresh oil leaks under the car.
Fluid Checks
The car should be warmed up before checking fluid levels.
1. Check the coolant
Note: Never remove the radiator c,a,u if the engine is hot. Most cars today have white plastic reservoir for the coolant with an easy-to remove snap-on top. The coolant should be of a uniform color. If you find that it appears to be streaked by a secondary color-like red-it could represent rust and indicate that the coolant hasn't been changed recently. Also, if you see a greenish-white, powderlike residue on the radiator, that could signal a leak.
2. Check the oil dipstick
If the oil seems to have a lot of sludge in it, that means the oil needs changing and it could also be an indication of the previous owner's poor attitude toward car maintenance. It could also indicate a potential expensive repair is not far down the road. If the oil is clear and translucent, it is probably brand-new.If it is grayish or milky in color, it may mean coolant is getting into the engine, and this could signal a blown head gasket or possibly bad rings. In any event, it could mean a very costly repair. A further test is to check the color of the exhaust smoke when you start the engine. As explained above, white smoke-more than you'd expect to see on a cold day-means that coolant is getting into the cylinders.
3. Check the transmission fluid-automatic transmissions
If the car has an automatic transmission, check the fluid after you come back from your test drive and the car is thoroughly warmed up. (If you don't know where to find the automatic transmission dipstick, consult the owner's manual.) The fluid should be pink or reddish in color. If it's orange, that could signal transmission problems. Sniff the fluid on the dipstick. If it smells burned, that's a sign that the car may need a transmission overhaul. Note that front-wheel-drive transmission repairs can be expensive.
4. Look for fluid leaks under the engine compartment
hook under the engine compartment for any signs of fluid or liquid that has leaked from the car. If the fluid is slippery and oily, it's probably coolant, transmission fluid, motor oil, or brake fluid. Keep in mind that the presence of any of these fluids indicates a problem, and a repair shop visit will probably be necessary.
Battery
A battery should last from three to five years. The condition of the battery and the terminals might best be evaluated by a mechanic. You'll find "Check Battery" on your professional mechanic checklist.
