http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/images/127946-4.jpg

The outside of this car looks great, but the inside (to me)doesn't.

What do you think?

Hasn't got aircon

Not too bad though, although judging by the soot on the front of the rocker it's possible the manifold either was or still is cracked.

What about this yellow one?

http://www.mts-online.co.uk/images/cars/fiatct_17.jpg
http://www.mts-online.co.uk/images/cars/fiatct_16.jpg

Why don't you just go and test drive one? Looking at images of engine bays is all very well but it's a bit of a waste of time, in many respects. There's only so much one can deduce from looking at a picture of an engine.

What are we looking at, dirty engines

A dirty engine tells you one thing and that is that its dirty, not much else really. Many engines are dirty yet run sweet, some engines are cleaned because then people expect them to run sweet.

As hedge says, drive them if you like them

I agree a test drive and on sight inspection is best, but I thought there might be things to look out for in photos like this. This could avoid a long drive, and enable me to ask the right questions when talking to the seller.

Well the top one is modified, the bottom looks more std and they both have rusty horns. You could now ask the owners what their favourite jelly flavour is

Priceless.

But actually a very good point you make there, JimO.

Can't really gain alot from a photo unfortunately, you really need to see a comprehensive service history, folder full of receipts, that sort of thing

LOL.

Okay, maybe you can't tell as much as I thought, however Ed did mention something that I previously didn't know about (the soot indicating a problem with the manifold), so this thread hasn't been a dead loss!

Have you seen Borely's car in the for sale section. Its lovely, clean and well looked after, regular specialist attention (and low miles) so need to go hunting on fleabay or pistonheads.

Why dont you go for that one ?

I already contacted him.

It's sold.

probably cos you spend too long fannying about asking people to look at engine bays

LOL

Woo hoo. We're off again....!

'Bout time.....

My engine bay is dirty, and the car runs sweet...just buy Damien's n/a and you'll be happy and gay (it's porto blue)

This thread wasn't meant to read like

"Shall I buy a car with a dirty engine bay"

it was meant to say,

"Can you tell if there is anything obviously wrong with an engine from photos like these?"

Sorry if I didn't make myself clear.

Dirty engine bays are great.

As people have said that you can't tell, you need to drive the car, listen to the engine, look for smoke, look at the history, talk to the owner about oil consumption etc etc Have a good read of the buyers' guides in this section too

So apart from a sooty rocker cover indicating a cracked manifold, there is nothing else you can tell from photos like these?

Okay, thanks for your help.

PS, read the sig!!

You have ALL missed the obvious!

From the first pic, the colouring of the rocker cover, it's clear that the spaniel flange on no.4 cylinder is on it's way out. Ask when it was last de-clarfed.

Sorry, it's been a long day!

If they car question had a leaking rocker cover gasket you would probably be able to spot that in the picture as well.

Aw c'mon folks, stop being harsh, there are several things you can tell from an engine bay picture and Tyler is new to the coupé so we really should be trying to help a bit.


BTW my favourite jelly is strawberry, ta for asking Jim

Thanks for that, I don't mind a bit of banter, but I am trying to learn at the same time.

I like the sharpness of a good lime jelly by the way!!

As we are all chipping in and being mean I would say that if there is a large amount of space under the bonnet, then the engine is missing

This one has potential for you, jobs done and its buttons
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/224433.htm

From what I can see on the red coupe's engine bay:

The coolant needs topping up - this gives out various signals to me, such as the owner is guilty of serious neglect, the water pump is leaking or the head gaskets gone - see what I mean - you can't tell from a picture

The air filter looked bodged and doesn't look as if it's sitting right - maybe it hasn't got a proper bracket to hold it.

The sidelights, etc don't seem to be working - but maybe the ignition is off?

The washer jets don't seem to be working or haven't worked for a while, looking at that dry windscreen?

The front crossmember looks in too good a condition - maybe it's been in an accident and repaired to a good standard?

Tyler, as everyone keeps telling you, you need to go and look at a car in real life.
If you haven't realised, the above are all possiblities with a Coupe, but impossible to tell without actually hearing and seeing the car.

Go and flaming drive one

You're only in Shrewsbury, which is about an hour from me if you wanted to come here and go out in a 20vt.

I'll be driving though

Nice pick up line