Brian Chase wrote:
Listers,
The wheels of action are finally grinding to a start in the resurrection of
my 83 240D. I'm planning on purchasing a used engine tomorrow from Tri-Star
in PHX. My auto is at the shop in Tucson, and awaiting shipment of the
engine.
Question: How can one really know that the proclaimed mileage on a used
engine like this is anywhere near accurate? It would be in the best interest
of the crooked parts outfit to claim to be selling a nice low-mileage
engine, yet actually to deliver their highest-mileage engine. They are
claiming to be selling me their lowest mileage 240 engine, but as I said, it
would take some genuine honesty not to pull a bait & switch.
I know there's probably no answer to this question, but what have you all
found in your experience? Bear in mind that I am no where near this outfit
geographically and thus cannot do any physical investigation.
There is NO way you can know for sure. What you can do is use the hot
compression numbers to assess the condition of the engine. If the hot
compression numbers exceed 320 psi (22 bar) and the difference between
cylinders doesn't exceed 45 psi (3 bar) the engine will be capable of
reliable service and the mileage on the engine is unimportant. If the
compression isn't good, even an engine with only a few thousand miles on
it is NO bargain.
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)
"der Dieseling Doktor" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
'87 300TD 182Kmi, '84 190D 2.2 229Kmi, '85 190D 2.0 161Kmi, '87 190D 2.5
turbo 237kmi