How to Inspect a Diesel Engine Before Buying a Used Semi Truck: American Motors

It's always scary buying a used big rig and taking the chance of driving off with a bad engine. Joe Cain with American Motors out of Denver, Colorado takes you through a step-by-step process on how to properly inspect a diesel engine before making the big purchase.
Check out another "how to" on checking your tires: bit.ly/2EXB4q2
Want to purchase the truck used in this video? Clink on the link for a video tour: bit.ly/2Rs8wuk

[@18beamer1990]

He picked one of the cleanest cummins motors possible.

[@peace4all584]

Noting we can do will substitute PRE- PURCHASE INSPECTION. It helps to do this important checks and obviously to filter the good from the bad. However, at the end we must do pre purchase inspection with a professional shop.

[@ainsleyrussell167]

You did a very great pre trip inspection sir.

[@americanmotors2058]

Ainsley Russell Thank you!

[@americanmotors2058]

Thank you

[@gdf5487]

lol, same effort as a driver. Yup, it has a red one in it. Let's Roll

[@Ronin-uj7tb]

Did anyone notice the fresh new paint on the frame rails, radiator support brackets, new decals, steering rod, new wiring looms with new protector sleeves? But original faded plastic air breather tubes?

[@paulcochran3780]

What's so bad about that? If theres nothing wrong with them I would re use them too! Maybe he couldnt find any?

[@Broncitis6677]

Very common on presale detailing of used trucks by dealers and some fleets.

[@pauliusmatiusovas4102]

Its make up before resale. By dealers. I am very suspicious when its done

[@StickNclutch]

You forgot to mention the valve cover always open that up!!! and inspect the cams and rollers

[@limplin7]

Do you think they will allow you to open the engine like that?

[@galehess6676]

Avoid anything with new tires and fresh paint... read between the lines, your alignment is out and frame is bent, and rust is going to take over. Also, check blowby and feel how tight it is, agree on a price and put $200 non-refundable down and send oil sample to CAT lab ($15) and wait... you don't buy a house without an inspection so don't be an idiot again. That is the best $200 you will ever hand someone. Also check if there are maintenance records... that can sometimes be instructive, avoid all DEF Internationals and DEF engines in general if you can. Codes can be erased temporarily or pieces disconnected... do not trust. Get YOUR KNOWLEDGABLE and trustworthy mechanic to look it over. Also, 100% of the time, if one area was not maintained (eg it has a new engine), then nothing else was either. run away, those are bankruptcy traps. Good luck.

[@joseizaguirre7375]

I really like this inspection thanks.

[@josephagnello9335]

Great video.Excellent!

[@michaelchason9170]

I been at Volvo dealer every 2 weeks for 24 hours. Only 200,000 miles. Different issues. Fuel pressure control switch, box number 1 bad( ck engine light came on) ,APU problem once a month. You earn the 8mp gallon. Like Volvo trucks but they go to the dealership often. Down time even though warranty covers.

[@limplin7]

What kind of Volvo you had?

[@limplin7]

Impressive knowledge.

[@Tano-qg4qr]

Thank you, very helpfull

[@garfieldthomas8118]

Damn! I realize I do that every workday on that same engine

[@moreno8575]

great video my man

[@americanmotors2058]

Z1000 BOSTON thank you

[@kingdavid2012]

You have to check check the check and check again

[@MrBigart96]

Good Job. salute to you.

[@americanmotors2058]

Trucker World. 164 thank you!

[@vikashvishwakarma6361]

This is my fevret truck sir

[@yamanawrooz5132]

Thank you bro so much.

[@americanmotors2058]

Elias Sharifi thank you for watching!

[@hahahaha-dr2ge]

If the dealer cleans and paints an engine u can't detect shit 400 mile test drive under load and dino testing u want a truck they haven't changed the oil yet trans rears engine so u can get it analysed

[@shadowman0428]

What are the most common problems with Used Freightliner? When buying a used Freightliner what are the vital things to check or look for?

[@jerseycowboy1]

You can do all those inspections and still wind up with a lemon, It's a real crap shoot when buying a truck. You just have to be lucky to get a good one. You can prevented from buying a potential bad truck. but sooner or later.. you MONEY GODS will get your money.

[@Jeff-jh6bj]

Check under the truck for signs of leaks as a final after test drive.

[@jayjy1583]

I'm not mistaken I saw quite a bit of smoke coming out of that blow by test

[@dionblasco727]

Depends on how many miles are on the truck.Buy and take to the mechanic and tell him you want a engine rebuild.That way you can get a new engine to last a quite a bit longer, and hopefully everything is good

[@michaelchason9170]

Still have sensors go out.

[@gaonajesusjg]

Why was there water drops inside the oil tube were u put oil at end of video when you took off oil cap off can you tell me if thats normal

[@americanmotors2058]

gaonajesusjg yes it is normal you will build up precipitation. If the oil looks milky have it checked.

[@samlogosz8422]

Stick a match in that rad. 😀

[@b.altorany791]

Thank u sir so much

[@americanmotors2058]

B. Al Torany Thank you!

[@Truckergregg]

I like to see how the truck looks in my driveway

[@MICHAEL-vu3dc]

Great job

[@fozman845]

Bro you might think about having a mechanic do this. Your Insp is all over the place..

[@kingkoppa]

First u should do is check if it has a def tank 😭

[@alcatraz6949]

Currently studying for my CDL, I’m still in the studying phase but can any seasoned drivers confirmed what he mentioned? As well as hit on anything he may have missed for me?

[@michaelchason9170]

In school it's about inspection, not repair.

[@moneymikeslickwill8749]

Volvo 780 is the best truck for driver comfort i just bought a 2010 780 soo comfortable bro im owner op using load boards

[@TK-yj1gm]

Cracked missing or broken

[@Rhino-ux7yf]

Check check checking check check checking check 🤔

[@JCA-Z]

If the truck has a smog motor or def tank/reservoir walk then run away.

[@andywiggens3078]

good luck getting on with a company if you don't have that "SHIT" on it. Not many good companies won't allow a pre smog truck pull for them

[@devoywilliams3956]

@@andywiggens3078 thats false plenty of companies run pre emission.

[@truckingviews6006]

Uhh , thanks.

[@willphipps4820]

Check.check.check

[@samlogosz8422]

Take the engine apart to see if all the parts are there. 😀

[@MegaGeorge1948]

If you know what parts to look for. :-)

[@andywiggens3078]

I did that once but I didn't know how to put it back together again....That dealership sure was mad.

[@melvincruz2020]

You need to get some tools out, you just did a pre trip inspection .

[@donkeyballs3307]

Now let's see u do all those same checks , in -40 weather , with 5 feet of snow on the ground,

[@scubadivingsince2006]

No point w 5 ft of snow your not goin anywhere jk 😂

[@andywiggens3078]

probably a bad time to be buying a truck...ya think?

[@EMDSD40T2]

Or you could go buy a new truck with a warranty....just sayin

[@DaddysFastestSwimmer]

Then make $1500 payments every month for the next 8 years. When something does break on the truck, sit in the dealership for 3 weeks not making any money but still paying $1500 a month, find out the dealership got it wrong, sit for another 2 weeks,not getting paid, shell out another $1500, go broke, truck get repossessed, destroy credit, become company driver. Just sayin.

[@dchawk81]

@@DaddysFastestSwimmer You forgot to mention the divorce, alimony, child support, and spam dinners in a furnished efficiency apartment with half kitchen.

[@devoywilliams3956]

better of buying a truck for 20k and just do a rebuilt all over.

[@josetovar8440]

Yes i do it all rime if iam baying a truck it for a risome if a make a dollars or not what about u take a goog truck and making a big box so carma shoute jump on

[@scubadivingsince2006]

ESL much 🤣

[@moctezumaRevenge]

@@scubadivingsince2006 lol ESL wasn't enough damn bro.

[@ramodzananovic]

Haaa?

[@avelrage]

Sell me a truck that you have inspected please, so my investment is secured!

[@americanmotors2058]

avelrage give us a call 303-288-4885

[@ah6501]

How many times he say “check” haaa I lost count at 30. FYI inspect sounds better n more intelligent.

[@firstname3292]

Can't wait to buy an electric big rig. Smh