Test Driving a L400 this week, what do I look for?

[Percy]

I have found a similar topic, however I believe that the test drive in that thread was for a L300. I was wondering is there anything else I should be looking at on the different engine? Thanks for your replies as I am a newbie looking forward to joining the club. I found this "Check things like the colour of the engine oil (light brown, not black) gearbox oil (nice & red....doesn't smell burnt) water (blue/green/red anti-freeze) to make sure it's all been serviced properly. What's the condition of the top hose like? (nice and flexible or fairly rigid/crakced?)

Inisist that the car is cold (not warmed up) when you get there and check that it starts first time and idles smoothly. You should only have to wait about 3-5 sces with the ignition on before the relay clicks to tell you the glow plugs are ready. Look for smoke on start up....a little puff of smoke is OK - but a lot of smoke means it needs a tune-up. Is there any chirping/squealing from the belts or is everything nice & quiet? It should give a nice even diesel ticking on idle, not rattle like mad.

Look at the condition of the tyres - especially for wear on the outside edges. What is the ride height like on the front? If it looks 'nose heavy' then ask them to adjust the torision bars.

Check the roof for rust! Feel for any dampness in the front footwells - press hard on all areas of the carpet on both sides to see if there is any water coming through?

Test the AC to make sure it blows nice & cold. Check the rear fans and the rear AC too. Once it's warmed up, do you get a good amount of warm air?

Put the car in neutral and crawl underneath (handbrake on!!). Check the propshaft for play in the UJ's. To do this, grab either side of the UJ and try and twist/wring it to see if it is nice & tight. Check all four (2 on each propshaft)

While under the car, check for condition of chassis/body. Look especially at the area directly under the rear step - this is a well know rust spot.

From behind the drivers wheel, look up towards the engine and see if there is any oil around/under the turbo. A small amount of oil is fine, but lots of oil running down the turbo onto the engine, subframe etc...means the tubro is losing oil. If you can, try and look up towards the back of the head....is there any oil there too? The half-moon seal on the back of the head can leak. If it is, get them to change it for you. (nothing bad - just an overlooked service issue!)

Look along the rear half of the exhaust - especially along the seam. Is it nice & solid or starting to split?

Under the front, grab the bottom of each shock absorber and give it a good hard pull back & forth. Are they tight or do they clunk? Check the condition of the front anti-roll bar bushes (sway bar??) for splits/cracks. These should be in good condition.

I don't know all the rules/regulations you guys have to abide by, but make sure the DRL's are working as they should and the head lamps are 'approved'.

Obviously check the condition of the exterior bodywork and all the seats/interior panels for excessive wear, damage etc....

Now drive it!

Does it pull nicely? It won't be fast, but it should pull nice and evenly....check in the drivers side mirror for smoke when pulling away. A little is fine, but big black smoke is not ideal.

While driving, does it drive straight or pull to one side? A slight pull is 'OK' but if it constantly pulls to one side then you need to get the alignment done etc...

Does it brake well? Again, it should pull evenly. If it pulls to one side it could mean a seized caliper or other brake issues.

Keep an eye on the temp gauge. It should sit somewhere around the upper part of the bottom two marks....up to half way. If it goes above halfway then I'd question if there is a coolant/radiator/waterpump/head issue! If it sits below the bottom two marks it looks like the thermostat has been removed (if so - WHY?)

Check for all electrical items working properly (horn, windows, fans, rear blinds/sunroof, tailgate lock, stereo etc...)

Once you've driven it for a bit and got it nice and warm - pull up and turn the engine off. Pop the engine cover again and check for any leaks/water around the top hose, rad cap, radiator etc....squeeze the top hose - it should be firm, but you should be able to squeeze/compress it. If it feels rock hard then the system is pressurising too much which is not a good sign!

Now start the engine back up. It should fire straight away....no waiting for glow plugs once it's warm. Again, check for an even idle speed etc....also look underneath while it is running/warmed up and see if there are any drips? If there are, then head straight back!

If all of this seems good, then enjoy the rest of your test drive!!

I've probably missed some points (just got up, still half asleep!) but take David up on his offer....

Most of all - god luck and welcome to the world of Delica ownership! Life gets better from here....

[jessef]

That is a good comprehensive list to go by.

There is not much more you can add aside from scrutinizing asthetics interior/exterior and making certain that the headlights are left hand drive E-13 coded headlights.

Good luck and enjoy the test driving.

[Konnichiwa]

One thing not mention above is the tires. Make sure to check for age... rating... condition... etc

[jessef]

One thing not mention above is the tires. Make sure to check for age... rating... condition... etc

read above

"Look at the condition of the tyres - especially for wear on the outside edges.

[Konnichiwa]

what is tyre

[Konnichiwa]

Sorry... I searched for TIRE before posting. I guess searching doesnt always work.

[madmazda]

most importantly when all the seats are down in the back and you have a good air mattress its nice and comfy...

[aclarker]

Pay special attention to the center dash surround by the stereo. They're known to break when you replace the stereo (very fragile). Hopefully the Van has had this replaced. Check the sunroof if equipped these vans are known to vibrate a tonne around the head line of the sunroof. The vibration causes all the screws to loosen and cause you grief with the sunroof motor.

The overdrive switch breaks. Check to see if this has been replaced or will need replacing.

"Binnacle" The Aussies call the piece on top of the dash that has battery meter, temp gauge a binnacle, this also houses a "gyro meter" Some call this another name... Anyways this also breaks easily and is very fragile. This piece new will cost $180.00. There is a cheap fix for this on the Aussie site..

Good Luck

[Pacific JDM Parts]

One thing to add to the cold start on L400's, ensure that when its started from cold that it starts correctly and that it idles and does not cut out as thats a sign that the fuel pump seal is leaking which some mistake for just glow plugs/tune up.Diesel will leak in to the engine oil and if left for too long engine oil ends up it the fuel system.Fuel pump has to be removed to replace the seal.
Make sure that there is no timing chain rattle (search the forum as Jesse has posted a video clip of the noise and also pictures of replacement) as its a big job to have done on a vehicle you just pruchesed!!
Check the coolant expansion bottle condition as these are also a common problem on L400's.
Check the condition of the centre console,over drive switch and all electrical interior items function correctly.
Make sure that you go on a good long 30 minute road test on a mix of highway and normal roads to ensure that there are no problems once everythings up to temperature.
You did not say where you are going to for you test drive(private sale or dealer) but if you are still unsure ask if you can get the vehicle checked over by either a mechanic you trust or the prefered option would be one of the Delica specialist for an independant opinion on the vehicle condition as the price of an inspection could save you thousands later on down the road!!
And do not be afraid to ask questions and test drive as many as you can to get a feel for any diferences between the different ones
Good luck and happy hunting!!!!

[Percy]

Sorry I have a L400 on hold from Japanoid, they told me that they will be doing a lot of work on the vehicle but being a non mechanically inclined person I was looking for things to look at in the vehicle. Thanks for all the responses, I am looking forward to going in this week to test drive my potential new to me delica.

[DelicaFreaka]

Have the vehicle put up on a lift and take your time inspecting the frame from front to back with good lighting. Rust is prevalent on these vehicles and I have seen holes from the size of pinholes to the size of toonies and bigger developing in the frame. A great place to start that gives you a good indication to search some more is behind the back bumper. A lot of that area is hidden by the spare tire. Drop the spare tire, it is not hard to do, and check the condition of the sheet metal back there. If it is rusting away be sure to inspect the rest of the undercarriage very carefully. Hope this helps................................Kirk out.

[marsgal42]

If you don't know what to look for, consider taking along somebody who does. Sure, you'll learn eventually, but this isn't the time.

Japanoid are very honest. If they say the van is good, it is.

...laura

[delicabits]

rust: between sun roof & window,

fatigue/discoloring: expansion coolant tank

hole in chassis: rear bump stop hits chassis on LWB

faulty window winder: front window should go up and down smoothly

bushes: all suspension bushes for cracking or brittleness

flashing four wheel drive lights: vacum hoses split,