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Used car: How to check the condition of your engine?

By the Laredaction published on June 3, 2021 at 08:00 Updated on June 3, 2021 at 08:00

Beyond the need to inspect the various elements of a used car, such as bodywork or cabin, the verification of the condition of its engine remains a crucial step before concluding a purchase.Here are some practical tips.

One of the first things to do to check the condition of the engine is to look under the car if there are no traces of oil or liquid on the floor.The presence of liquid can mean a leak from the engine, which it is not always easy to diagnose by yourself.If it is oil, it is however possible to determine its origin.

If it is red oil, it probably comes from a leak of the transmission or steering liquid.Traces of black oil are left by used engine oil.If it has been replaced recently, its color must be brown caramel.Oil leaks on an engine can have various origins.The ideal is to call on a professional for diagnosis.

Engine

The next step is to open the hood to examine the engine from above, in particular to detect a possible oil leak on the seals of the upper part of the engine.It is normal to smell smells, from fuel, especially for petrol cars.You must also check the condition of the different metal surfaces, and see if there are traces of corrosion.It is also necessary to observe the external appearance of the engine, if it is dirty or clean.Perfect sharpness is not always synonymous with cleanliness, because it is possible that the seller tries to hide leaks.If the engine is dirty and no trace of oil or liquid is detected, that means that it is in good condition.

Voiture d’occasion : comment vérifier l’état de son moteur ?

Then it is necessary to check:

Lift the car

Another important verification is to lift the car to visually inspect the engine below.If traces of oil or drops of liquid form at the level of the housing, the cylinder head gasket or the water pump, this can mean more serious mechanical problems.

Run the engine

In addition to the need to do a driving test with the seller to see the general engine behavior, it must also be ensured that the engine does not give off smoke.If smoke comes out of the exhaust just after starting the engine, this is the sign of an important mechanical problem.Blue smoke is generally synonymous with overconsumption of oil linked to defective engine parts.

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