Re: 2nd hand diesels - what to look for?

agree2pay4uce@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Paul Cummins) wrote in
news:memo.20060331181556.1616A@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

In article <9Mqdndl8Ta3lzLDZnZ2dnUVZ8qOdnZ2d@xxxxxx>,
theprime(nospam)@btinternet.com (Paul) wrote:

Anyone have any hints on spotting a good diesel engine from a bad,
for someone comfortable with checking cars over? (albeit petrol ones)

A little white smoke on starting is OK, black smoke at max revs should
barely be visible, and blue smoke from a diesel is always bad.

The engine will clatter like a mofo at idle, but by 2000 revs should
sound like a noisy petrol. If it sounds unbalanced or hesitant on
Idle,
let it warm up, then kill and restart. If the stutter is still there,
walk away. If it runs on after engine stop, walk away...

Listen for turbo whine. If you can clearly hear it in the cabin on the
test drive, walk away...

Look for proof of cam-belt change within service interval, if it's not
there, walk away...

Check for proof of regular servicing, oil changes etc. Again, if
missing, walk away...

There's plenty of good late model diesels out there - anything peugeot
or nissan engined will be good. That includes Peugeot, Citroen, Ford,
Nissan, older Vauxhalls...

A high mileage on a diesel is not a bad thing if the rest of the car
is
good. My V reg Escort has 150,000 on the clock, and I'm adding over
25,000 a year without a hiccup.

Remember as well, a diesel will cost 5% more to fill than the
equivalent
petrol, but will go on average 20% further for the same fuel. A 1.8 TD
is about equivalent in engine to a 1.6i non-turbo petrol. Turbo on a
Diesel makes the car MORE fuel-efficient, not less, in most cases.

Welcome to the world of oil-burning reliability :-)


What a great reply. Mind you with a surname like yours !!!

--
Stuart

"end user" v. A command regrettably not implemented in most systems.
.

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