Buying a Van - Mechanical Inspection (Part 3/5)

[@enotj]

im a girl and i want to get a van but im scared of getting scammed !! this made me feel a lot more confident tyy

[@FreedomStrider]

That's so great! 😀 It's good to be prepared, but don't let the fear stop you. Give us a shout if you have any questions. 👍

[@tommynickels4570]

Nice video. A good beginner vehicle without being condescending. Well done.

[@FreedomStrider]

Well it was certainly the right vehicle for us ☺️ What is a good vanlifer guru vehicle? 😉

[@reactional99]

thanks for making this video, i will be buying a van in the next couple of weeks and this video has made it less daunting!

[@FreedomStrider]

That's so great, let us know how it goes. 😀

[@reactional99]

@@FreedomStrider i bought a 2007 LDV Maxus. I tried to remember as much of this video as i could but i should've printed off the checklist, i didn't even check if the indicators worked (one of the side ones doesn't), funny how you forget simple things in the heat of the moment. Like you say, it's difficult to not get emotionally attached but i managed to haggle a good price. Time will tell if i made the right choice, i'll be checking out your other videos on conversion next, thanks :)

[@sethh5820]

Just wanted to drop a comment to say thank you! for such a helpful video targeted at just the right level of technical detail for me. Convinced me that a Crafter is the van for us and look forwarding to watching all the build videos too.

[@FreedomStrider]

You're welcome, glad the videos helped you, if you have any questions give us a shout, hope all goes well with your van buying hunt! 😊

[@brynmitchell5774]

Super vid , I am looking at this minute for a Camper / conversion . very helpful , Thank you.

[@FreedomStrider]

😄 Glad we could help.

[@luisagra385]

Easily one of the most useful and well thought tips and help given by u. Plz keep up the extraordinary work i cant thank enough ppl like u rly u can see the extensive work and thought u put in ur videos.

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks a ton, glad you found it helpful :)

[@changanga2566]

Thanks for the knowledge of this sprinter van. 🙏 i own used a 2008 dodge sprinter 2500 model and .. man its lots of problems i am facing.

[@FreedomStrider]

Glad to help 🙂

[@NimReeder]

this is SO great guys. i have taken so much info from hear and applied it to van views. I have a video request though. Not many people it seems are doing in depth engine bay check videos. When i go and view i am coming across power steering that's really light, tracking that's clearly out (the steering pulls to a side all of its own) and engine bays that have stains and old oil build up= minor oil leak. i have run from those clear signs. BUT It's a struggle to work out less obvious signs what is worth walking away from. I need questions answered like how to avoid buying a van with a bad clutch / how do you tell if the head gasket is in ok condition and the engine valves have not been ignored because a leak has flagged up on a advisory but no-one has bothered because its not 'broken' yet and only an advisory. Basically how bad is too bad and which jobs should someone buying a used van be ok with putting money towards. AND also (hehe 2nd vid request) who to buy from- what are the pros and cons of someone servicing themselves/ pros cons of buying from a dealer who got a minibus from the council. the DVLA checks look seemingly clean. no repeated advisorys etc BUT what are the BUTS? big message hope it reads well. and again LOVE your channel +style

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks for all the feedback, glad you found it helpful! The basic checks usually check if things like the heat gasket and the engine are good condition at that moment intimidating, but in terms of whether they have been looked after...that's a difficult one. Service history is 1 area, check what was replaced when and see how long it has been since x y and z are replaced (eg timing belts need to be done every 5 years or 70k miles, so if the last one done was 60k miles ago you know it's due for one soon). Without a service history it's hard to know thus though which can be a problem, bit that is how I would check. As for the 2nd request, again its difficult. Having a mechanic you trust and getting them to do a once over check is the most fool proof way of checking I would say. Frankly, i don't think it matters much who you buy from if you have some knowledge going in and rely on your guy instead of emotions. (Aka not saying I want to buy this van because I want to start a van conversion vs. Something in this van being off). Always go to any viewing with the expectation to walk away without guilt and if it is the right one then yoy can see about buying - easier said than done. We've added the 2 video ideas to our future lost though, so thanks :)

[@joeloco5129]

OBD II plugs (for electronic diagnostics/reading codes) are found on all vehicles made after 1996.

[@FreedomStrider]

Yep correct, and some older cats have them too 👍

[@bensmiley45]

I have one more tip that you didn't mention. From my own experience of buying a van that ended up having engine trouble, it's good to verify if the van has blow by. Sometimes gasses can escape from the cylinder into the crank case because of worn rings, or leaking valves or a bad turbo etc... This air needs to escape through the engine breather tube. Sometimes this will just vent out the bottom of the engine and sometimes it will go through filters etc... But one way to check is to remove the dip stick and run the engine, put your hand over the hole and check that air isn't coming out. If there is blow by, then be careful because it can be extremely expensive to repair - it would mean rebuilding or replacing the engine.

[@FreedomStrider]

Good tip, thanks 😊

[@zendium91]

that was a brilliant video :) Looking to buy a sprinter van for a van conversion and this will surely help a lot!

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks, great to hear we helped. 😀

[@Sardwsh]

These videos are SOOO USEFUL!! Thank you so much for making these❤️❤️❤️

[@FreedomStrider]

Glad you like them! 🙂

[@premierexterior8720]

Great stuff.. trying to find a van to convert at the moment. Your Amazon link to the OBD2 Nexpeak NX301 code reader is currently unavailable.. Can you tell me if the Nexpeak 501 will do the same as it is available on Amazon. Is the 501 just an upgrade of the 301?.. Thanks Steve fae Scotland.

[@FreedomStrider]

Hey Steve, assuming you're talking about this one (amzn.to/3y0BDbT)? Looks like a direct upgrade yep has all the same features as the one we got 👍 all the best with your van hunting :)

[@jenniferharmon9030]

This was very helpful, thank you thank you!

[@FreedomStrider]

You're welcome, glad it helped 😊

[@orangealpine5267]

Great film guys, but its worth noting the brake fluid level should be at the maximum level with new brake pads fitted, once the pads wear the fluid level drops until the pads are replaced again, a low fluid level should represent worn pads, or a leak within the braking system, The fluid level should be above minimum at the very least, and a nice clear colour, (not dark)

[@FreedomStrider]

Good to know, we had new brakes and pads on ours when we bought it so the level level seems to be correct as per your description. We'll be sure to remember that when we check in the future, especially since we're going to be replacing our own brakes as well :)

[@orangealpine5267]

@@FreedomStrider might be worth putting a something on the vid, if a mechanic fits new pads with a full reservoir it will push fluid out of the cap and corrode various parts in the engine as the brake calliper pistons are pushed back

[@FreedomStrider]

When we end up replacing the brakes on our van, we'll be sure to include that specific fact to let everyone know, best include it in a specific brake changing video :)

[@AlistairLindsay]

Brilliant video! Really informative and I learned loads-thank you!! 👍

[@FreedomStrider]

Thnaks! Great to hear! 😃

[@FlooringAfrica]

Loved your video - Great and simple to understand. Thank you.

[@FreedomStrider]

Glad it was helpful and easy to follow 😊

[@alicechapman1689]

Such a helpful video!! Thank you

[@FreedomStrider]

So glad you found it helpful 😎

[@Petra-oq5wl]

Did u do a vid on check issues when driving van?

[@FreedomStrider]

Yes we did, here's the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oanQdYRrn95jeLs There's 5 videos on buying a van, the mechanical checks is part 3 of 5 👍

[@M_and_M_in_a_van]

This was an amazing explanation. Thank you!

[@FreedomStrider]

Glad I made sense 😅

[@MrSharK97]

Does the OBD2 Scanner works for Mercedes Sprinters as well ?

[@FreedomStrider]

Yes should do, nearly all vehicles now have OBD2 ports - as long as it has a port, any OBD2 scanner will be able to read stuff. For the expensive scanners, you have to be more careful about their capability 👍

[@charliewiggins8809]

I love how this video started with a guy wearing a headlight, that's how you know he's serious!

[@FreedomStrider]

😎 Totally 😎

[@Kingofdafarm21]

This is very helpful, thank you. Which of the fluids is pressurised? I forgot which, but probably worth mentioning not to open that right after the engine has been running.

[@FreedomStrider]

The coolant, which you fill from the radiator, is pressurised. After driving it is hot and it will spurt out... When it cools it doesn't. 👍

[@Kingofdafarm21]

@@FreedomStrider legend, thanks

[@eli_of_earth]

Just tried getting the van buy checklist but nothing is coming through - is it still active? If not, is there anywhere else I can get it? Thanks!

[@FreedomStrider]

Yes the checklist is still active: this is the link: freedom-strider-ltd.ck.page/0ecc13f475 Enter your name and email in the form. Check you inbox for an email titled: Important: Confirm your Subscription Click the button in the email - this ensures the system you are not a bot. Then the email with the download will come. If you are having further trouble, best email us directly.

[@eli_of_earth]

@@FreedomStrider I tried a different email and I've got the confirmation now, just awaiting pidgeon mail ~ thanks This video was so educational & exactly what I needed ~ couldn't resist a whole checklist :)

[@H2Dwoat]

Hi, that was great thanks. One thing you didn’t mention was the suspension or do you only check that on the test drive?

[@FreedomStrider]

Well, the suspension - to the untrained eye - may be hard to diagnose. You can check if it is severely corroded just by looking and if it's really bad you might notice during the drive, however, on a van, it will be hard to tell. Plus, minor wearing may not be noticeable on initial inspection. The best way to check (other than taking for a service), is to look at the MOT history of the vehicle and see if the suspension has been mentioned. 🙂👍

[@merceturner5523]

Hey guys! I followed your link to the OBD2 reader and sadly it won't deliver to Ireland! I am quite literally the newbiest of newbs and have no idea what specs it would need to be useful for inspecting vans? Currently at the very beginning of my journey and finding a van in Ireland is SO tough. Thanks for all the videos I really enjoy them and they're so informative! your van is looking amazing and I can't wait to get started on mine!

[@FreedomStrider]

So excited to hear you're about to start! Finding the right van can be tough but there's plenty out there and the right one will come along - though good vans go quickly 😁 I'm not sure on other OBD2 scanners but I found the same one as ours on eBay that delivers to Ireland: ebay.us/4LkmTT Hopefully this helps your out 😊

[@merceturner5523]

@@FreedomStrider Hey I really am excited although little nervous for the graft lol. Thank you so much for the help I'm sure you're crazy busy! I somehow have convinced my brother to give me his high spec reader for the day lol. I've also found a van I'm looking to view soon so fingers crossed! I will be downloading your checklist for inspections 😊 thanks and looking forward to following alongside your journey!

[@judecesar4928]

I love you man, thank you

[@FreedomStrider]

No problem - all the best with buying your van :)

[@mrhubail9724]

so much info very useful and appreciate the effort and its good to see your girlfriend is supportive although she is not in the vid. However, i really got board watching it. include something interesting in the vid to keep watchers into it

[@FreedomStrider]

Thanks for for your support... As this a long and instructional video, we can understand how it can get boring - a lot of the side humour got cut so we can make room for the much need info. It is a quite niche topic, but on our normal vlog-ish content we do leave the dancing and screaming at spiders... 😂

[@letsrelax9244]

You didnt check the suspension and axles as last time i bought a van and rear axle failed. Was stranded on the motorway for hours.

[@FreedomStrider]

True, we didn't check it and the more you check the better. 🙂... Though we are sure to miss things

[@letsrelax9244]

@@FreedomStrider i lost a lot of money, as garage said its gonna cost £2000 to £3000 so I had to sell it cheap with the problems and a machenic bought it. The engine gearbox was fine just the axle and other bits underneath which you can only check if you lift the van up

[@ravenelloie9115]

You guys should mention all the extra steps we have to go through before actually seeing the checklist .....

[@FreedomStrider]

What do you mean?

[@Kingofdafarm21]

How realistic is it to expect all these checks to pass if I'm buying a van on a budget? Surely there's got to be some leeway with some of these checks?

[@FreedomStrider]

It really depends on what you are willing to risk it on and what you are okay repairing. You can absolutely have a vehicle that can meet all these checks, even a budget one. The only major things I wouldn't compromise on are any damages to the engine (head gasket leak) or the clutch. Oil leaks are fairly common, but you don't want an excessive one. We were quite lucky with our van, we didn't really compromise on anything, it had been very well looked after. It was £8100 (in 2019)

[@Kingofdafarm21]

@@FreedomStrider cool beans, thanks for the timely response. Wow, that was a good deal. The market has really changed alot since the pandemic first hit. Btw really great video, much appreciated. Very surprised you haven't got more views best one I've seen so far for sure.

[@aaaz1049]

@@FreedomStrider how do you diagnose the transmission just by the rpms and smooth shifting? Thats all you can do? And if there is oil on the oil pan is there any true way to be confident in it without opening the entire engine up on the spot beyond the obd2 reader? Thanks

[@casamorag]

🇬🇧🇬🇧👍

[@FreedomStrider]

🙂👍

[@forevergoddessqueen4404]

This is what the mechanic does? I do this, I won't need a mechanic?

[@FreedomStrider]

This is usually what a mechanic will check and you'd be surprised with how many people don't even check some these basic things! This is equivalent to a shortened MOT check, you can request a mechanic to do a service which is alot more thorough than this - the more experienced eye can notice the health of a vehicle just by doing what we did, but that is a matter of experience 👍 We didn't use a mechanic for our van, we just used the techniques shown in the video and we're very happy with our purchase 🥳