Went to view T4 Transporter... rebuilt engine, blue smoke
Discussion
Hello
Went to view a 2002 plate 2.5tdi T4 Transporter today at a sales and repair/servicing garage, 160k on the clock, advertised at £3995.
Had a look round the van, bodywork all very clean and tidy.
We called the owner of the garage to find out more details, he informed us that he had taken the van in with a snapped cambelt and so the engine had rebuilt, warning us that it might smoke a bit as it was also due an oil change and currently had cleaning solution in it.
We got the keys from someone in the office and started it up, took a few seconds to turn over and it did produce a fair bit of slightly bluish tinted smoke from the exhaust on startup and then continued whilst idling/revving. Second time we started the engine a few mins later it started first time but still smoked.
We have asked the local mechanic to call for more info tomorrow regarding what work has been done, but for now, does anyone have any serious doubts or any guesses as to what the problem is likely to be? He said he thinks it has some history with it, but he wasn't in the garage at the time.
Cheers
Went to view a 2002 plate 2.5tdi T4 Transporter today at a sales and repair/servicing garage, 160k on the clock, advertised at £3995.
Had a look round the van, bodywork all very clean and tidy.
We called the owner of the garage to find out more details, he informed us that he had taken the van in with a snapped cambelt and so the engine had rebuilt, warning us that it might smoke a bit as it was also due an oil change and currently had cleaning solution in it.
We got the keys from someone in the office and started it up, took a few seconds to turn over and it did produce a fair bit of slightly bluish tinted smoke from the exhaust on startup and then continued whilst idling/revving. Second time we started the engine a few mins later it started first time but still smoked.
We have asked the local mechanic to call for more info tomorrow regarding what work has been done, but for now, does anyone have any serious doubts or any guesses as to what the problem is likely to be? He said he thinks it has some history with it, but he wasn't in the garage at the time.
Cheers
My initial inclination is to walk away.
However, since you seem interested in it, a few comments:
Did you let the glowplug light go out before starting? The cranking for a few seconds is something I've experience for a short while after the fuel filter's been changed. It may be nothing, it may be that the glowplugs aren't working, although with a Direct Injection engine, they're not that important unless the weather's very cold.
The 'cleaning solution' thing doesn't sound right to me. Engine oil flushes aren't great for the engine at the best of times (it's effectively a detergent, I can't really see what good it does. However, others may disagree).
A bit of smoke may not be the end of the world, a test drive (possibly with someone following) would be a good indication of how bad the smoking is. If it's significant, walk away, or budget a new engine or engine rebuilt.
Check the gearbox thoroughly too, a number of the ones I used to look after were either written off after gearbox failures, or subject to a very expensive replacement. Having said that, the later models (post 2000 ish) seemed to be ok.
To me, it seems fairly expensive for a 9 year old van, especially with questionable history, although in fairness I don't know what prices they command these days.
However, since you seem interested in it, a few comments:
Did you let the glowplug light go out before starting? The cranking for a few seconds is something I've experience for a short while after the fuel filter's been changed. It may be nothing, it may be that the glowplugs aren't working, although with a Direct Injection engine, they're not that important unless the weather's very cold.
The 'cleaning solution' thing doesn't sound right to me. Engine oil flushes aren't great for the engine at the best of times (it's effectively a detergent, I can't really see what good it does. However, others may disagree).
A bit of smoke may not be the end of the world, a test drive (possibly with someone following) would be a good indication of how bad the smoking is. If it's significant, walk away, or budget a new engine or engine rebuilt.
Check the gearbox thoroughly too, a number of the ones I used to look after were either written off after gearbox failures, or subject to a very expensive replacement. Having said that, the later models (post 2000 ish) seemed to be ok.
To me, it seems fairly expensive for a 9 year old van, especially with questionable history, although in fairness I don't know what prices they command these days.
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