When it comes to garage engine swaps, diesel engines are some of the most popular choices. Whether the owner wishes to take advantage of diesel’s fuel efficiency, durability, or torque, there is a good reason to choose a compression ignition powerplant for a swap. The abundance of small diesel engines found in trucks like the one featured in this video, show that parts support, and costs will be hurtles easily avoided.

Sourcing a salvaged vehicle for a donor engine can be a grab bag of unknown risks. It’s important to go into the deal with a basic understanding of what you are getting yourself into. If you are not a mechanic, and can’t bring one along, there are still simple diagnostic inspections you can perform to ensure you are not buying a lemon. These tests do not guarantee the quality of the engine but will confirm a few key areas are free from major defect.

In this video we are walked through a quick inspections of a typical find, and shown that all it takes is five minutes to check some of the vital functions.

1. Does the truck start and run? Just because a truck doesn’t start doesn’t mean the engine is trash. A dead battery, or faulty starter could be the problem.
2. Any leaks in the blow-by tube? Blow-by is compression escaping the combustion chamber past worn cylinder walls, and piston rings. An engine with excessive blow-by may need an extensive rebuild.
3. Opening the oil fill cap can further expose blow-by problems. If oil and gasses are spattering out the filler, or foamy oil foam is present, there may be worn internals or water contaminated oil.
4. Noises out of the norm can be cause for concern. Tapping, clunking, clicking, or any internal engine noise other than normal should be questioned, a bottom end rebuild will probably negate the “good deal” you think you are getting.
5. Pop a valve cover off the engine for a quick look. You want to see some oil lubricating the valve train but no warn parts like rocker feet, pushrods etc.
6. Look for leaks around the engine. It’s normal for an engine to accumulate some grime and oil but if a stream or drip is easily found it needs to be inspected.
7. Lastly if your diesel is turbocharged, remove the air filter hose and give the turbo compressor wheel a wiggle. Any play will indicate a worn out turbo, a new turbo may cost more than the value of the engine, so beware.
   

   Worn turbo bearings are no small fix, a rebuild will be required.

These simple visual inspections are the best anyone can do without more serious diagnostics. Consider your budget and what you are willing to spend in order to bring this engine back into service. Think ahead and you will have an engine to serve a new vehicle for miles to come. If you are inspecting a different type of engine, the location and style of the components to inspect may will vary.