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The engine is the most important part of the car, that's why it is considered the 'heart' of a car. Parts and components can be damaged, worn and be replaced, but you cannot do that with the engine because you might as well buy a new one. The engine must be inspected and serviced periodically. If you are observing the engine compartment  with your own eyes, the followings should be noted:

Leakage

Leakage in the engine compartment is easy to identify. There may be different types of fluids leaking out, inside, or under the engine. A well-maintained car will not have this issue. Take a look at the bottom of the engine to see if there is any oil leakage. If there is, there will be visible dirt or mud-like stain under the engine.

Oil leaks are generally easy to spot. Remember to look for them

Check around the engine for any other type of leaks. Oil spills are usually or black if the oil is old. The coolants should be green, yellow or pink. If there are transmission oil leaks. the leakage will be reddish brown. If leakage occurs, ask the seller to fix it before delivering the car or reduce the car's price. An experienced technician should be able to assess the problem and estimate the cost of repairs.

Lubricant

The quality of lubricants of the machine also needs to be checked when buying an old car, which includes engine viscosity, homogeneity, and color. Checking the lubricants lid, if there is dirt or deposit, meaning that the car is poorly maintained and has undergone little to none maintenance.

Rubber gaskets

Gaskets and rubber seals in the engine compartment should be carefully checked, including the contact position of the engine with the chassis, the pipe joints. Rubber should be in good condition and does not show signs of wearing out yet.

The color of the exhaust fumes

Ignite the car, go to the back to check the exhaust fumes. If there's only a little smoke emitted, it is not a problem. If smoke starts to increase incrementally, the emission system might have issues.

Green smoke means the engine is burning oil. In some cases, engine oil can be in the cylinder. This means that the oil seal in the engine is the problem.

If the exhaust fumes have this color, there're issues with it

White smoke can be easily mistaken for steam. White smoke is also a serious problem for the seal in the cylinder. It is possible that the coolant has already entered the combustion chamber and is burnt.

Black smoke often occurs where there's excessive combustion. This phenomenon is, however, easier to solve. But if a vehicle produces smoke with those three colors, it is important to have an expert before making a decision to buy that car.

Video: Exhaust Smoke Colors Meaning | Black smoke,White Smoke,Blue smoke,transparent smoke