Forum:
I'm off to get a Fourtrak tomorrow, as far as I'm aware its one of the Independent TDX models (1993 reg)
Anyone wanna tell me what to look for/ask the seller? He's a dealer in leeds so will probably lie to me about all the bad bits anyway but oh well.
I don't know the first thing about cars/engines etc so if youre gonna use big words please exaplain what you mean!
What should the engine sound like etc.
oh and one other thing before I get it. Looking at the fourtrak, I saw a little twiddly knob under the steering wheel to the right. What is it? I've probably just made myself look really daft by asking that, but if I dont know, I'll have to find out at some point!
thanks, stuart
Don't Go Alone!!
If you know naff all about cars FCS take someone who really does, or pay for inspection! All else is folly.
I sold used cars for a living for 20yrs & people who knew little (or thought they knew a lot) scared me. I much preferred they brought a decent mechanic with them, for their sake as well as mine.
OMG, Qs like "what should the engine sound like?" have folk thinking it's April 1st,....or running away very fast !!
The twiddly knob is for engine(low)speed control....not that I know much about 4Traks, though I'm learning .....
thanks
cool thanks for the advice.
i wont actually ask any daft questions, i was just thinking of things to check for, like what damage i should look for to see if its been off roading, etc
well im off to get it soon, so as long as it doesnt fall to pieces itll aaall be fine...
The 'twiddly knob' is for
The 'twiddly knob' is for raising the revs a little on very cold morning starts. You just start the engine and then wind it up a little so it doesn't run rough. You'll only need it for a couple of minutes.
Obviously check the body work, particularly around the wheel arches. Definitely check the floor in the rear of the vehicle and underneath as they have a bad habit of rotting here.
Check the fuel and brake lines (attached along the off-side chassis rail) as they have a bad habit of corroding and then leaking - They will probably have been replaced already.
Start the engine from cold if you can - check no blue smoke from the exhaust when you rev it. Make sure the engine oil is at the right place on the stick and that there is sufficient water in the cooling system. Take the oil filler cap off the top of the engine. The oil on the underside of it should look oily - ie probably a bit black, but runny. It should not look white/yellow ish or like any sort of cream.
The engine will sound a little 'agricultural' compared to refined modern diesels - more like a van or a tractor, but it shouldn't sound rough. It shouldn't whine or knock loudly. Check you can select all the gears, including the transfer box, and that the clutch is ok - try to pull away in 2nd or 3rd with the handbrake on. It should start to die rather than just rev the engine and slip the clutch. More likely it might actually pull away particularly if the handbrake is not great. Either way it's a sign that the clutch is ok.
Check the electrics - lights, wipers etc work ok. Check them all; you're in no rush.
Check the service history and the log book. It should have been serviced every 4-5k miles max, but preferably more often than that.
I could go on all day, but those are probably the basics.
I'm not an expert by any means but I hope that helps a little.
isnt it a "hand throttle" as
isnt it a "hand throttle" as against a choke? Something useful in offroading aparently.
I also agree with feildman i
I also agree with feildman i would also check your front tyres for your tracking being out and if they are check you track rod ends to see if they need done as i just did mine not that long ago and you are £400 just for bits for my model it mite not be that for that one but it can be expensive for some parts but they are fun to drive.