What are the simplest ways to inspect the engine condition?

Aug. 9, 2021, 10:36 a.m., Mon, KST. SunJoo Moon

One of many ways is to use your OBD2 scanner. Look for Long term fuel trim (LTFT) and short term fuel trim (STFT) in idle and in operating temperature.

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What are the simplest ways to inspect the engine condition?, None|bekomcar.com

If they are below + or - 3% or even 5%, the engine is good condition. Near 0% means good air fuel combustion, fuel system, injector, spark plug, air control, ignition, combustion, oxygen sensor, catalytic converter and etc.

Normally, there are one LTFT and one STFT for each engine Bank. 4 cylinder engine has Bank1 only. For 6 or more cylinders there are Bank1 and Bank2. So, 4 cylinder has one LTFT and one STFT while 6 or more cylinder engine has two LTFTs and two STFTs.

SunJoo Moon , Edit Date: Sept. 23, 2021, 1:06 p.m.

Check any black powder inside the exhaust pipe, Mercedes W211

Wear white gloves, put your fingers into the exhaust pipe, wipe out the inside of the pipe. Check if there is any black powder, which means the engine is not in good condition. Good engine should not produce any black powder but water droppings as shown in the real inspection photo.

Check the caps and inside of coolant reservoir and radiator, Lexus LS460

If you see any milky things or water gunk or something like the photo, then engine is not in good condition. The photo is taken from Lexus LS460 used car inspection process.

Inspect the engine oil cap and inside the engine head, Mercedes W212

Not all vehicles will let you see what is inside the engine head. With Mercedes W212, you could see what it is like inside the engine head. The photo shows the engine is in good condition. If you see engine oil gunk or heavy sludge, then the engine is not in good condition.