BumblebeeZA
New member
I posted this on a local forum here in South Africa, doesnt seem like it got much appreciation.
I thought I'd share it with you guys though as you have helped me a lot with my Jeep questions so far.
I put together a few things for you guys to look out for when shopping around for a used Jeep JK.
This is from personal experience when I went shopping 2 years ago for my one.
2 years I have had my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon already and I have had no problems except for worn bushes on my Trackbar.
Here goes the list of things to check.
- Firstly put the key in the ignition... turn to on... back to off... back to on... back to off... back to on (Basically turning the key three times)
Do not turn to start the vehicle, just turn to the on position.
This will bring up any existing fault codes on the little screen by your speedo cluster if there are any.
Check for the following
- Water leak on water pump gasket
- Oil leak between the gear box and engine (signs of oil leak will most likely be a rear main seal)
- Oil leak from front main crank seal, iirc its the lowest "pulley" on the surpentine belt.
- Check if the 4wd system works by pulling the lever (It can be sticky at times, this is NORMAL)
- If its a Rubicon Model, check if the front and rear diff locks work as well as the sway bar disconnect.
The following should also be checked for any play
- Trackbar bushes
- Control arm bushes
Feel free to add any more advice guys!
Ill try update as you guys add more info.
Added info from other members:
Member: WJCO
Listen for exhaust leak on cold start up. Likely a cracked exhaust manifold
Member: webejeepin
Long list on this link http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?41227-Things-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-Jeep-Wrangler-3-8&p=800336&viewfull=1#post800336
Member: ScoobyCarolanNC
Transmission lines weep oil where the switch from rubber to steel. Very front of the vehicle left hand side
Member: Judesign
If I were to buy used I would take an inexpensive obd2 code reader. Turning the key gives you the active codes but some dishonest dealers could just clear them before you come in. A scanner lets you read when the codes were cleared and can give you a lot of easy to read info on really how your engine is running
Member: BumblebeeZA
Please check your chassis and axles for any funny welding
I thought I'd share it with you guys though as you have helped me a lot with my Jeep questions so far.
I put together a few things for you guys to look out for when shopping around for a used Jeep JK.
This is from personal experience when I went shopping 2 years ago for my one.
2 years I have had my Jeep Wrangler Rubicon already and I have had no problems except for worn bushes on my Trackbar.
Here goes the list of things to check.
- Firstly put the key in the ignition... turn to on... back to off... back to on... back to off... back to on (Basically turning the key three times)
Do not turn to start the vehicle, just turn to the on position.
This will bring up any existing fault codes on the little screen by your speedo cluster if there are any.
Check for the following
- Water leak on water pump gasket
- Oil leak between the gear box and engine (signs of oil leak will most likely be a rear main seal)
- Oil leak from front main crank seal, iirc its the lowest "pulley" on the surpentine belt.
- Check if the 4wd system works by pulling the lever (It can be sticky at times, this is NORMAL)
- If its a Rubicon Model, check if the front and rear diff locks work as well as the sway bar disconnect.
The following should also be checked for any play
- Trackbar bushes
- Control arm bushes
Feel free to add any more advice guys!
Ill try update as you guys add more info.
Added info from other members:
Member: WJCO
Listen for exhaust leak on cold start up. Likely a cracked exhaust manifold
Member: webejeepin
Long list on this link http://wayalife.com/showthread.php?41227-Things-to-look-out-for-when-buying-a-Jeep-Wrangler-3-8&p=800336&viewfull=1#post800336
Member: ScoobyCarolanNC
Transmission lines weep oil where the switch from rubber to steel. Very front of the vehicle left hand side
Member: Judesign
If I were to buy used I would take an inexpensive obd2 code reader. Turning the key gives you the active codes but some dishonest dealers could just clear them before you come in. A scanner lets you read when the codes were cleared and can give you a lot of easy to read info on really how your engine is running
Member: BumblebeeZA
Please check your chassis and axles for any funny welding
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