What to look for when buying a diesel

[justmud]

Hi guys i have been looking for a GU 4.2 turbo diesel tray for a while and have finally found one. My question is what should i look for as i've never owned a diesel before and i would like any advice you can offer. The one i have found has 160000 k's and from what i have been told is in good condition.

I'm travelling interstate to buy it so i cant really organise to have it professionally looked at but if i know what to look for i should be right.

Thanks in advance.

[adamj1300]

i can get the racq/v... which ever state ur in, u can pay an inspector to give it a quick look over.

[4runner2.8]

there is a few things you can look for,
- check the oil, if its low it might mean it burns oil
- service history, signs of oil changes every 5000km is good
- if you get to take it for a drive on your own, drive allong normally in 5th then suddenly take you foot of the accelator and put your foot on the clutch and let the revs drop back to idel, then drop the clutch and floor it and see if it blows heaps of smoke which it shouldnt do if the motor is good.

- if it blows excessive amounts of smoke thats not good, but a little is normal.

[justmud]

there is a few things you can look for,
- check the oil, if its low it might mean it burns oil
- service history, signs of oil changes every 5000km is good
- if you get to take it for a drive on your own, drive allong normally in 5th then suddenly take you foot of the accelator and put your foot on the clutch and let the revs drop back to idel, then drop the clutch and floor it and see if it blows heaps of smoke which it shouldnt do if the motor is good.

- if it blows excessive amounts of smoke thats not good, but a little is normal.

Thanks i will check all that and do the driving test, i should be able to hear excessive whine from the turbo by doing that too shouldnt i

[sniper]

I would doubt you will hear the turbo especially making the motor lag in 5th, it will be sloooooow so it shouldnt spool up quick. Always watch for alot of smoke, making it lag should give a little bit.

Always check the oil, leaks, seams, check for respray, check injector pump for oil resedue (sp)/leaks, damage underneath gives idea of off road work.

Uusally if the turbo is loud, it on its way out.

[V8Patrol]

Trick I've used on many an occasion when info on a car has been scant.....



Go & visit his neighbors .......

after all they are the ones that see it every day,

they see it when it "wont start" in the morning,

they see it when it gets towed home,

they see the doors being slammed when it has a flat battery ( wont start )

they see how often its washed and how dirty it gets,

they see how often its up on the ramps in the driveway,

they'll tell you if it normally has different wheels / roof rack / B-bar / etc




& after you've visited them .........

go n see the mechanic thats "sposed to " have serviced it.

Start ya conversation off with.......
"Giday, I'm thinking of buying this rig but it may need a couuple of things done before I drive it home, could you check em out for me ? "

He'll se the $$$$$$ signs and then be up front with all the other things that may need work if ya play ya cards right.



This has worked for me on several occasions to date .... ppl just love to shitcan other ppls gear, its human nature so play on it.


Kingy

[HotFourOk]

That is gold V8 I never thought of asking next door