Contrary To Conventional Wisdom
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Contrary To Conventional Wisdom
During the process of selling my previous truck and buying another, both the seller and I followed conventional wisdom and had our intended purchases checked out by a mechanic. The buyer of mine had a local service station do the inspection. While watching the process the thought occurred to me that it was almost a complete waste of money. The buyer could have just as easily done the work himself. All the mechanic did was check the fluids, lights (brake, turn signals, etc.), engine belt(s) wear, brake pads, and tires. Nothing was done that a reasonably informed person couldn't do themselves. Unfortunately I didn't follow my thoughts and had a Ford dealership do the inspection on my new to me '04 F250. The only difference between the two inspections is that I paid considerably more. So my question is, what purpose is served by a mechanic doing a pre-purchase inspection? Should there be more involved than what I described? I recall that such inspections used to involve a cylinder compression test and the brakes involved checking more than just pad wear.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 0
From: MACON, GA
When you buy a boat you get what is called a survey. Eighty Pages. I paid almost $2,000. Guys who perform the service are licensed and insured.
I had 81 page report that said "FIRST CLASS" condition. About 100 hours later, the exhaust melted down and caused substantial damage. It had happened before, and once you knew what to look for, readily identifiable.
My point: As stated on the X Files: TRUST NO ONE.
I should not have bot the boat. It was too good of a deal
I had 81 page report that said "FIRST CLASS" condition. About 100 hours later, the exhaust melted down and caused substantial damage. It had happened before, and once you knew what to look for, readily identifiable.
My point: As stated on the X Files: TRUST NO ONE.
I should not have bot the boat. It was too good of a deal
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Westland, Michigan
When I bought my "Pre-owned certified" F-350 last fall I thought it was given a once over. I had it back to them for front brakes and too many other things to list. The truck is flawless now but you cannot trust everybody!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
If you don't know what to look for, it's best that someone who does inspect a purchase. However, if your familiar with the vehicle enough for basic overview and an eye for anything suspicious, then you might as well do it yourself.
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Before purchasing my '04 F250 I asked plenty of questions here and received a generous amount of responses. (BTW, thanks again for the help!) Besides making sure to get Oasis and Carfax reports the only thing mentioned was having the vehicle checked by a mechanic.
Let me pose the question asked earlier slightly different. What should be included in the inspection of a used vehicle by a mechanic?
Let me pose the question asked earlier slightly different. What should be included in the inspection of a used vehicle by a mechanic?
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
I don't know if this is directed to me but to answer your question, the engine in my '04 F250 is a 5.4L gas. And no to the compression test.
Edit: After thinking more about this, it seems to me that a compression check in my situation may not have been a good idea. It's my impression that once the a spark plug is removed the boot behind the coil should be replaced, which is not cheap. Does that make sense?
Edit: After thinking more about this, it seems to me that a compression check in my situation may not have been a good idea. It's my impression that once the a spark plug is removed the boot behind the coil should be replaced, which is not cheap. Does that make sense?
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Not to sound ill manored or arogant. I thought, Taking a car/truck to a mechanic was more of a, well, gender thing?
I would think you might ask to use the lift in the service bay, after hours, from the dealer your buying the truck from, or at a service/ repair facility you do bussiness at.
Compression is easily checked by simply taking off the oil fill cap while the engines running. If none or a little white smoke is coming out, its ussually OK. If alot of smoke is coming out, those cylinders are shot. (ring blow by)
I would think you might ask to use the lift in the service bay, after hours, from the dealer your buying the truck from, or at a service/ repair facility you do bussiness at.
Compression is easily checked by simply taking off the oil fill cap while the engines running. If none or a little white smoke is coming out, its ussually OK. If alot of smoke is coming out, those cylinders are shot. (ring blow by)
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
Inspections are only as good as the mechanic/dealer doing the checking. Years ago I bought a Suburban from Carmax....with the "10 day fix anything wrong" warranty. This vehicle had just had a "150 point quality & safety inspection" completed on it, as well as Maryland state inspection (which is quite strict). Took it home and looked it over on the weekend, took it back on Monday. Forget just how many things they ended up fixing, but it included replacing turn signal switch, steering gear box, radiator, & rear brake shoes, fixing exhaust leak, and installing missing seat belt. All of which were "missed" on both inspections! 
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
Never heard of this one before.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,889
Likes: 0
From: MACON, GA
P. S. Do a check list on a 6.4 diesel which includes a compression test would require removal of an injector fuel line, which would require a new injector line and which probably mean the removal of the cab and a MAJOR expense, if done properly.
Like I said above: TRUST NO ONE...
Like I said above: TRUST NO ONE...
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
Take a peek, http://sites.google.com/site/reax222...attredirects=0 I know next to nothing about diesels.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From: Mobile, AL
KD Tools Compression Tester - Model KDS2428 at Sears.com
I was looking to buy my first Camaro at 18 years old, and was not sure of the previous owners claim to have rebuilt the engine. I mentioned this because of the OPs gas engine and question of compression testing. As for a diesel, I'm pretty sure those rely on PFM.