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Used Car Diagnosis for DummiesMar 28 '00 Write an essay on this topic.This editorial is geared toward the used car shopper. Specifically, one who refuses to buy from used car dealerships and, like me, prefers to buy from private owners. The problem from buying from private owners is that sometimes it's hard to differentiate between a gem or a lemon. Even though a car looks great and has only 60,000 miles, hidden problems with the engine, drivetrain or chassis could quickly cost time and money. I'll try and save you that money by giving you some helpful knowledge. Cars have their own way of communicating problems. You just have to read and understand the symptoms. Here are some examples: BLUE SMOKE: The car is burning oil. Oil is leaking into the combustion chamber, and adulterating the air/fuel mixture. Unfortunately, there are many causes of this problem and all are expensive to repair. Two include: Worn piston rings and worn valve stem guides. Both are labor-intensive and expensive to repair. -It's important to note that the owner can hide this problem somewhat by thickening the oil. Heavier weight oils don't leak through small gaps as easily. Look at the oil, if it looks like molasses, he may be hiding something. SLIGHTLY ROUGH IDLE- Something has disturbed the engine's equilibrium. Old and worn spark plugs, torn or corroded spark plug wires, or a malfunctioning Oxygen sensor are probable causes. The Oxygen sensor, included in cars with an ECM ( computer ), gauges the air/fuel mixture by examining the engine's exhaust. A rough idle can mean this sensor is malfunctioning, and running the engine too rich or lean on fuel. An Oxygen sensor can cost about $20.00, spark plug wires can cost between $20,00-$50.00. Spark plugs are cheap, between $1.00-$2.00 a piece. Replacing these parts requires only minor labor. An important step in the purchasing process is the test drive. Always drive a vehicle before buying. Certain problems can only appear while the vehicle is driven. Here are just a few: EXCESSIVE "mushy" OR "boat-like" FEELING OVER BUMPS: This problem can be caused by worn shocks or struts, and broken sway-bars. These parts are easily replaced ( sway bars can be an exception ) by a skilled do-it-yourselfer, or certified mechanic. It should be noted that some vehicles require a re-alignment after the replacement of their shocks and struts. UNDERBODY "KNOCKS" OCCUR OVER BUMPS IN ASPHALT- Inspect the hangers that support the exhaust system. If broken, they must be replaced. Similarly inspect the gas tank supports. Have these problems fixed immediately, it's kind of embarrassing to have your exhaust system fall off while driving to a date! There are so many problems that a used car can have, I can't cover even half of them. Another important point is to ask the owner "Why are you selling this car?", and " What problems have you experienced?". Some owners will come clean about everything, some will be secretive. In any case, you should be able to get some information from the owner themselves. Of course, when in doubt, take the car to a mechanic for an inspection. This will be money well spent, because mechanics are trained to spot problems in vehicles ( that's how they make their living!). I hope I've helped you. If you feel I left any important problems out, feel free to E-Mail me, and I'll include them. Also, I'd love to hear anyone's anecdotes about used car buying! In any case, keep this information in mind when shopping for your next used car, it could save you hassle later!  |
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