Cash For Tampa Junk Cars | We Buy Junk Cars Tampa
Posted: Sun Oct 09, 2022 4:27 pm
Check the levels of fluids
You should have already found your oil dipstick by now. Take it off, clean it, put it back on, and take it off again. Does it have oil? Good. Even if there isn't much oil left, it doesn't matter at this point. Most cars
can't show the right amount of oil until they are warm.
If your car has an automatic transmission, there is another dipstick in there that you should also check by taking it out, cleaning it, putting it back in, and taking it out again. Again, all you need to do is make sure there is transmission fluid in there
There will be a pump in there if you have power steering. Most of the time, this pump has only a lid and a small dipstick. Check to see if there is at least some fluid in there. Also check the fluid in your brakes while you're at it. Most brake fluid reservoirs are clear, so you can see how full they are without having to open anything
Lastly, you should also check the levels of coolant and windshield washer fluid. Note anything that has low levels, and if you decide to buy this car, remember to fill everything up to the right levels.
Check the hoses and belts
Ask the seller when the belts and hoses on the vehicle were last replaced. Cracks in the rubber indicate that these components will likely need to be replaced shortly. Don't be hesitant about reaching into the engine compartment, squeezing hoses, and pulling on belts; after a thorough cleaning, even worn-out belts and hoses may appear to be in good condition.
If the belts are a bit shabby, remember that they will need to be replaced. The majority of dealers will have assessed these issues, however you are not necessarily working with a dealer, and these issues are occasionally overlooked.
Primarily, you must ensure that there are belts present. Some cars won't start without them, but others have second belts that charge things or allow your A/C and power steering to function, so make sure that every pulley you see has a belt or a valid explanation for not having one.
Check for cooling hoses that are squishy and mushy, which is a stronger indication of their age than their external appearance. Examine the regions where the hoses connect to objects for the telltale coating of hot leakage. These leaky areas occasionally occur only when engines are hot, so there won't be any dripping, and a good dose of engine cleaner can make them disappear, so it's important to check for even a trace of residue, similar to the hard water scaling you may have to remove from your tea kettle.
Like engines, batteries and cables might seem good
It's not unusual for the batteries in used cars to die while they sit, so don't be upset if the car needs a jump start at some point .
For now, check the battery to make sure it's not broken or leaking. Look for exposed cable, which isn't a bad thing as long as it hasn't gone green or gotten covered in white gunk.
Also look for white, green, or green/white gunk on the terminals. Most of the time, this is just a sign of an old battery that has been sitting for a while. A toothbrush, some soda water, and a toothbrush can clean it up.
Again, the best chance is a layer of dusty dirt on metal and plastic that is otherwise clean. This doesn't mean it's a good battery or that the terminals aren't corroded in a way you can't see, but it does mean that the hard work of an auto detailer hasn't covered up any potential problems.
Check the air filters
Buying a car from a dealer means that the air filter should be clean and brand new. If you buy something from a person, it might be old, dirty, and need to be replaced.
If the air filter needs to be changed, it's likely that other filters, like the oil, gas, cabin air, and transmission filters, need to be changed as well, if not all of them.
If you're not sure or don't want to look in the air filter yourself, ask the seller.
Make sure the turbo is hooked up and doesn't smell rusty
If the vehicle includes a turbocharger, you will likely not be able to determine the issue until the engine is running. However, you can at least check for leaks and ensure that the pipe is not corroded through.
Examine the engine compartment as a whole
Examine the engine compartment and its different activities from a distance. Every make and model has a unique configuration; there may be a lot going on, or it may be a relatively straightforward situation.
Check for dangling cables and hoses. Look for small details that you may not fully comprehend, but that seem strange to you, such as exposed holes or probable missing parts.
Electronics (check for scorches, burns, and visible damage) and complex vacuum systems make it more difficult to determine the condition of a modern vehicle.
Older automobiles are simpler and more tolerant of aftermarket modifications. Discuss any alterations or modifications done by the vendor.
You should have already found your oil dipstick by now. Take it off, clean it, put it back on, and take it off again. Does it have oil? Good. Even if there isn't much oil left, it doesn't matter at this point. Most cars
can't show the right amount of oil until they are warm.
If your car has an automatic transmission, there is another dipstick in there that you should also check by taking it out, cleaning it, putting it back in, and taking it out again. Again, all you need to do is make sure there is transmission fluid in there
There will be a pump in there if you have power steering. Most of the time, this pump has only a lid and a small dipstick. Check to see if there is at least some fluid in there. Also check the fluid in your brakes while you're at it. Most brake fluid reservoirs are clear, so you can see how full they are without having to open anything
Lastly, you should also check the levels of coolant and windshield washer fluid. Note anything that has low levels, and if you decide to buy this car, remember to fill everything up to the right levels.
Check the hoses and belts
Ask the seller when the belts and hoses on the vehicle were last replaced. Cracks in the rubber indicate that these components will likely need to be replaced shortly. Don't be hesitant about reaching into the engine compartment, squeezing hoses, and pulling on belts; after a thorough cleaning, even worn-out belts and hoses may appear to be in good condition.
If the belts are a bit shabby, remember that they will need to be replaced. The majority of dealers will have assessed these issues, however you are not necessarily working with a dealer, and these issues are occasionally overlooked.
Primarily, you must ensure that there are belts present. Some cars won't start without them, but others have second belts that charge things or allow your A/C and power steering to function, so make sure that every pulley you see has a belt or a valid explanation for not having one.
Check for cooling hoses that are squishy and mushy, which is a stronger indication of their age than their external appearance. Examine the regions where the hoses connect to objects for the telltale coating of hot leakage. These leaky areas occasionally occur only when engines are hot, so there won't be any dripping, and a good dose of engine cleaner can make them disappear, so it's important to check for even a trace of residue, similar to the hard water scaling you may have to remove from your tea kettle.
Like engines, batteries and cables might seem good
It's not unusual for the batteries in used cars to die while they sit, so don't be upset if the car needs a jump start at some point .
For now, check the battery to make sure it's not broken or leaking. Look for exposed cable, which isn't a bad thing as long as it hasn't gone green or gotten covered in white gunk.
Also look for white, green, or green/white gunk on the terminals. Most of the time, this is just a sign of an old battery that has been sitting for a while. A toothbrush, some soda water, and a toothbrush can clean it up.
Again, the best chance is a layer of dusty dirt on metal and plastic that is otherwise clean. This doesn't mean it's a good battery or that the terminals aren't corroded in a way you can't see, but it does mean that the hard work of an auto detailer hasn't covered up any potential problems.
Check the air filters
Buying a car from a dealer means that the air filter should be clean and brand new. If you buy something from a person, it might be old, dirty, and need to be replaced.
If the air filter needs to be changed, it's likely that other filters, like the oil, gas, cabin air, and transmission filters, need to be changed as well, if not all of them.
If you're not sure or don't want to look in the air filter yourself, ask the seller.
Make sure the turbo is hooked up and doesn't smell rusty
If the vehicle includes a turbocharger, you will likely not be able to determine the issue until the engine is running. However, you can at least check for leaks and ensure that the pipe is not corroded through.
Examine the engine compartment as a whole
Examine the engine compartment and its different activities from a distance. Every make and model has a unique configuration; there may be a lot going on, or it may be a relatively straightforward situation.
Check for dangling cables and hoses. Look for small details that you may not fully comprehend, but that seem strange to you, such as exposed holes or probable missing parts.
Electronics (check for scorches, burns, and visible damage) and complex vacuum systems make it more difficult to determine the condition of a modern vehicle.
Older automobiles are simpler and more tolerant of aftermarket modifications. Discuss any alterations or modifications done by the vendor.