About Cars

So you find a car that you like and its the right size and color, its exactly what you are looking for. But before you make that purchase you should check out the engine and see if it is all the salesman says that it is. Taking a few minutes to know what to look for in a car engine could keep you from making a costly mistake.
First of all you want to look at the instrument panel. You dont want to see any warning lights, and if one does come on you want to ask for a diagnostic to be run. Listen for odd noises and also look for smoke. Blue smoke could be an indicator of engine problems and black smoke could mean that it is using too much gas.
Look for evidence of engine repairs. See if you notice any missing bolts or caps, altered wiring, loose bolts or stripped treads. Check for a sticker that shows when the timing belt was changed or ask for a receipt that indicates the date and mileage that the timing belt was changed.

Read more: Checking the Engine of a Used Car