How To Diagnose A Classic Car, Do They Have Scan Tools?

You’ve finally done it, you found your dream classic car and have the hood popped up in your garage and can’t wait for your new baby to be running. If you are like many, you might want to examine the car yourself instead of spending the funds for sending it to the repair shop to be checked out.

But it is a older classic car so you can’t use a scan tool.  How do you perform an Auto Repair Diagnosis?  Here are some basic tips to help you see if there may be a problem with your new vehicle:

  • Firstly, are the functions within the car period correct, if not why were they changed, and are these new functions up to par. Keeping a car running for that long, may require the replacement of parts, knowing what parts have been replaced, can be useful in knowing how your car is going to function.
  • Is the steering wheel balanced as you drive, is your vehicle pulling to one side? When you make turns do you hear strange noises or feel resistance from the car.
  • Do the brakes stop the vehicle entirely? Does the parking brake work?
  • Does the clutch and transmission function normally? Is shifting smooth, even when going fast?
  • Does the engine start well? Does the car stall? Or does the engine sputter or keep running even when turned off? Are there problems when you accelerate?
  • Are there leaks under the vehicle? Is anything taped up or missing? Or does anything look off in general? Such as rust, or hardened fluid.
  • When the car is running, are there strange smells or sounds that might indicate a leak or problem?
  • Do all the internal functions within the car work properly? If some don’t, such as the AC, are you willing to go without it and roll the windows down? Are the windows able to be rolled down?
  • Is the interior of the car in good condition? Wear is a normal sign, but make sure to look for mildew and potential mold within the car.
  • Is there a gas cap and does it fit for your car specifically?
  • If there are holes within the frame of your vehicle, understand that it may have been in a crash before, and you should have a mechanic look at your vehicle and make sure everything was properly fixed.
  • Does the vehicle sit level? Are the tires all from the same set and not worn? Do they have the correct pressure? Is there a spare tire?
  • When driving and going over bumps, do you hear a creaking from the vehicle?
  • Is there any rust on your vehicle, or rust covered over with paint to hide the fact?

If you answered yes, to any of these questions, there could be a number of things wrong with your vehicle and you should have them looked at before they worsen or do harm. They can be as simple as rust and mildew on the interior, or something very wrong with the engine.

The money and time you invest in the vehicle are going to be what keeps it running the longest. If you let these issues pass, the car will not be in good repair and may stop functioning. Help keep your classic going by checking through this checklist and getting it the repairs it needs if there are any.