Buying a used motor

[byebyev8]

I'm gonna be buying a used motor. I got scammed before by havin it shipped but this Tim I'm picking the car up is there anyway I could tell if a motor is ok without it being in the car. Like is there a way to check for compression on it without it being in the car and any other trick i could do to insure the motor is good before i purchase it.

 

[Old Mitsu Tech]

Sometimes you get what you pay for.

If you don't want to get scammed, buy from a reputable salvage yard. Buy from someone who will give you a "written" warranty.
This is usually 30 days or so.

Buy a remanufactured long block from a reputable parts house. These usually have a 12,000 mile warranty which is usually extendable to 36 month 36,000 miles.

Buy from someone who you absoutely know won't stiff you, or from someone recommended by someone you trust.

Other than that, it's usually a crap shoot.

As far as testing, you can look at the spark plugs. You can look the motor over for evidence of coolant/oil leaks. Other than that you are probably at the mercy of the seller if the engine is out of the car as the bell housing is what holds the starter anyway.



Good Luck

 

[Quasimondo]

You can still have a leakdown test performed, which is more accurate than a compression test. Compression test will only tell if it's good. Leakdown test will indicate whether it's the rings, valves, or gasket that's gone.