Things to look out for?

[Winnie]

Hey guys. I'm going to look at a TD42 turbo GQ tomorrow night and just want a bit of a heads up on what to look out for. I know nothing about diesels and turbos so any advice is good advice. It has 235k on the clock and has had the turbo for 2000k, home done install.

[threedogs]

Hi Winnie not a big diesel man myself but I'd be looking at who did any work to it. eg a reputable shop or Bob down the road.
Is the engine bay neat or are there wires ,pipes and crap going everywhere. Usual underneath peek for off road scraps and/or damage
Accessories fitted if any. M2CW Good luck hope its your dream ride buddy

[Winnie]

The guy is an auto electrician, engine bay is very tidy

[threedogs]

Tick box one,
engine /turbo oil leaks , rear main ok.

[Alitis007]

Do you want the whole car or just its running gear???

The body, look for rust in the usual spots like windows, roof gutter, dog legs ect the ones that i looked at had holes in the firewall and rust along the seam of where the top and bottom half join on the firewall. Check the chassis as well.

The motor is a bit more tricky mainly coz you have to listen for excessive noises like piston slap, a little bit is ok aslong as the motor doesn't sound like some one is bashing it with a hammer. Look for oil leaks and fuel leaks on the injector pump and injectors and lines. On the turbo make sure its not leaking oil thru the housings. Also when you start the motor have a look how much smoke it blows, once you start it if it smokes for around 10 to 15seconds thats fine.

The running gear look at swivel hubs, the diff centers, gear box and transfer case for oil leaks.
The rest you have to drive and feel how tight it is and if there is strange noises and stuff like that. You can generally pic how its been treat fairly easily just by looking over it and a quick drive, one of the trols i looked at was fairly good for the first minute of driving but then started to loose puff after that.

Where is the car located?? And Good luck!

[Winnie]

Wow thanks George!

[Alitis007]

Theres more but i'm getting my arse kicked here at work for being on the phone lol i got to lunch at round 1 i'll post more then

[Winnie]

Thanks George I'd really appreciate it mate!

[MudRunnerTD]

I'm Excited Winnie. Looks like a Great ride mate. with a few nice bits to on-sell like the spare pump. ;) Nice one.

Ask him about the second Alternator Bracket mate?? I'd be keen as to buy one just like it ;) Or i will be looking to copy yours if you buy this car.

Good luck mate, hope its as tidy as it looks.

[Mojo01]

I would also like to add something here.. check the rear spring towers for cracks.. I had to brace mine as one had a crack when I bought it

[Alitis007]

Now, the interior you should have a fairly good idea whats what coz you can compare it with your current 1. I usually touch everything to see if they work lol.

Before you run the engine check the water to see its level or color, compare it to your nice and clean cooling system and check the engine oil. It will probably be black but make sure its not thick like sludge and touch the block or crank bolt to see it its warm coz some people warm the engine then let it cool down so when you come along and start the motor it doesn't blow much smoke.

While your walking around the car look at the gaps between doors and guards for excessive clearance thats an easy way to look at the panel work to see if its been hit hard!!

Look at the tires and see how they are wearing, if one tyre is chopped out on 1 edge more then the rest the car will have an alignment issue.

If the car isn't far from me i would come and give you a hand to go over it, plus i could help barter the price with you by over exaggerate the cars faults a bit lol