Boosted Falcon

(first of didn't know best place to post this)

I will be turning 18 on the 14th of June (finally) and will need to buy a car.

what i would like to know is.


what are some things to look for? To see if a car has been trashed as i don't want to buy a car someone got and thrashed the rings out of and now wants to sell it.

are there any test? like a compression test? But would that maybe be a bit full on to do in some ones drive way. I know how to do a compression test. what numbers should i be looking for??

Also i am after any others tips people may want to tell me as the more info i have the better off i am.


thank you.

take it for a long drive, check for funny noises ect
Fiddle with all the controls, switch everything on and off, make sure it all works

Check all around the engine, any oil/water patches ect

I'm only on my first year TAFE course in mechanics... but this is what I've read or have been told to do;

Check bubbles/milky water in the radiator tank (for cracked head/gasket)
Check for coolant on the side of the block.
Should run smooth and quiet if stock.

I'd check all fluid / oil levels.
Check under the car and see if its been leaking, (there is normally some water on the passenger side from the air conditioner... after the car has been run with the A/C on)

Compression should be at or above 165psi (maybe 185psi?) I think, but they should be within 10% of each other from lowest to highest reading. Im not too sure what the pressure should be, but IIRC 140 is too low for this engine.


As 4LEDboy said, take it for a long drive...

If all that pass's, it should be a good car wheather it was thrashed or not...

But as I said, I'm only on my first year TAFE mechanic course...

Oh yeah and check for milky oil!

thanks guys. any more tips welcome.

If you are serious about the car, get the VIN number checked to make sure it hasn't been in any bingles

One more thing I just remembed from TAFE;
Oil will turn into like a tar if it is over heated (redlineing for too long, burnouts ect)

You can check if that has ever happend to the engine by takeing the oil cap off and looking through to the parts inside the engine, they will have a build up of grime if the oil has been coocked, which means the car has been over heated... and I guess that is a way to check if it has been thrashed or not also. Oil that has turned into tar could block the oil flow through the engine.
The parts should have a gold tinge to them... and look clean.

Jake wrote:One more thing I just remembed from TAFE;
Oil will turn into like a tar if it is over heated (redlineing for too long, burnouts ect)

You can check if that has ever happend to the engine by takeing the oil cap off and looking through to the parts inside the engine, they will have a build up of grime if the oil has been coocked, which means the car has been over heated... and I guess that is a way to check if it has been thrashed or not also. Oil that has turned into tar could block the oil flow through the engine.
The parts should have a gold tinge to them... and look clean.

Note to self, do an engine flush on every car I sell!

thanks guy this thread will be a great help when it comes time to hand over some $$$$


if u guy where selling a car what would you think of someone doing all this...
as i really like the idea of a comp test and checking oil and other thing...
another thing i was told was to check up under the rear guards for rubber.

what you guys think my chance are of finding a modified e series that hasn't been raped by the previous owner?


thanks for your time.

93edxr6 wrote:what you guys think my chance are of finding a modified e series that hasn't been raped by the previous owner?

Bwahahaha!!!
Sorry dude, sorry

The closest you'll probably get is a modified e-series that's been looked after wisely (while thrashed)...

Even though they're worth fark all, it's probably worth checking whether they've been stolen or not (can't remember the link... have a look at the RACV or VicRoads websites)

Check that car's exhaust doesn't excessively steam on startup (as in, steams badly for 5 mins)
Check that car doesn't burn oil
Check for all kinds of leaks
Check that the heater works
Check that the aircon works
Check all tyres including spare (this could save you $$$ if the car has 5 rooted tyres... as mentioned the whole car is worth fark all so why spend half its value on replacement tyres?)
Check that the auto behaves normally & doesn't thump into gear or slip, when cold AND warm
Check that all electrics work if you're getting a luxo car (Ghia, etc)

Jack car up & "wobble" wheels from side to side... if they "wobble" it may mean you're up for bushes, balljoints, etc

And lastly, check that she does a good skid

when i go to look at the car you can be the official skid tester

Cant say much more apart from
Not everybody is trying to rip you off

You can tell alot by who your buying it from
If its got P plates on it before you buy it, then it would definatly have been thrashed (if its e-series)

once again thanks for your help and time this thread will be verey helpfull when it go to by my car.



thank you.