INTRODUCTION
I have decided to pen this short piece of Info about buying used engines, in order to intimate other car users what to look out for, and how to go about it.

Engines are the "hearts" of cars. Without them, even if you've got a nice, new car, I'd say, "you've got a scrap", that could fetch you some bucks, if its taken to a smelter for its iron, and other components.

But come to imagine this: you've got a car that you're currently using, and due to some problems, the engine has just suffered some kinda SEIZURE, and if you've got the cash, I mean, hard cash, you'd preferred buying a NEW BRAND engine.
But maybe due to some needs competing for your resources, you've decided to buy a used engine.


HAVE THESE INFORMATION HANDY. THEY'D HELP.

1. GIVE RIGHT ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS.
This is very important, because, for instance, if you've a 3.3L 3MZ-FE 05 sienna engine, and you'd want an engine for that ride, YOU'VE GOT TO BE SPECIFIC ABOUT YOUR DEMANDS(SPECIFICATIONS).
Not specifying correctly, would cost you much in terms of resources (money, time, etc).

For instance, some vehicles have a VVTi incorporated on their camshaft, while others don't. These are technical issues that your mechanic would be able to sort out when placing orders.

If you have no idea about your engine specification, you can source that online, your mechanic, or a dealership.

2. LOOK FOR THE MARKET.
¶Looking for the markets for used engines, are almost everywhere. You could actually order for almost everything you need online these days(check out eBay, etc).

The disadvantage of ordering used engines is that the state of the engine isn't known (history), and if there are issues, the cost of returning back to the country of purchase, would almost double the purchase price.

Buying such engines would be a 50/50 thing.
You've got to have a reliable company to ship it down to wherever you're.
¶Sourcing it from junkyards, and other places.
In the USA, and other European countries, you have a lot of registered and regulated junkyards where used car parts are sold.

In Nigeria, Ladipo, located in Lagos state, has being the foremost spare parts market in the country. Customers from neighboring countries, transact businesses daily worth billions of naira(and dollars too).

3. MAKE THE TRIP. As a customer that wants the best for your car, you've got to make the trip to the market, say, to Lagos, a day before you actually get to the market, if you're coming from outside Lagos state. That would keep you in a better mental orientation, during your MARKET SURVEYS.

If this part of the purchase would be hectic to you, its always advisable to assign the task to your mechanic, or a trusted third party.

MARKET SURVEYS, involves going round sections where such engines are sold; inquiring and having physical inspections of them from the clients.

¶¶¶¶¶
I'd use the Ladipo market as a case study.
***Open your eyes well!!! if you're in that market for such purchase.****

The guys that operate there are PERFECTLY SMART PEOPLE!

Here's what you encounter:

∆. Warehouse business people. They have what you might Br looking for. Their engines/gearboxes are very cheap, as compared to the retail guys.

You could actually purchase used engine/gearboxes their cheaper, but the "dangerous" thing there is that you'd never be given a GUARANTEE. Any happens as you buy an engine, after you have mounted it in your car, you are OYO.

Anything you buy there aren't rested
What the importer is interested in is to get his/her money and zoom.

∆. Retail business people. These guys buy almost all the used engines in bulk. They pain less, and gain tremendously. They bear all the risks, that the importer isn't willing to bear, and the retailer would often transfer some bit of that risks to you the buyer too.

The advantage you have with these guys buying engines and other accessories is that they've already tested some of the engines.

They can also help you engage the services of trolley pushers; and even people that can help bench test the engine before purchase. Notice, that would cost you some money to bench test a used engine.

4. DON'T GO WITH CASH. Always use your ATM, or have facility for online funds transfer.
Beware impostors.(people who in that market's jargon, are called "baranda". They would gather round about you like pests, and tell you we've got what you're looking for. If you aren't careful, your purse would go missing, or at the end of the day, you'd be stressed up, and may even buy a bad engine.

WHAT DO YOU LOOK OUT FOR WHEN BUYING A USED ENGINE-CHECKLIST
These are some of the checklists I have personally implemented while inspecting used engines for a client recently from Abuja on this platform.

1. Rotate the engine.
Before making any payments, endure that the engine is turned, 360°, and not 180°. This would enable you determine if the engine's internal components like crankshaft, camshafts, etc are in good condition.

In some situations, engines that have had engine damages would not easily turn. That's a red line for the purchase.

2. Compare the engine's specification with the engines being inspected at the market.

Check the engine wiring harnesses, and sensors for any differentiations.

3. If its a V configured engine, remove a spark plug, from each of the banks, and inspect them.
Spark plugs tells you a lot more about an engines internal state.

If it's a 4cylinder engine, same thing applies.
*oil fouled plugs tells you the piston oil rings are weak, and engine would smoke when its used, or loss some compression pressures.

*whitish cake kind of deposits on plugs, indicates signs engine must have undergone excess heat and overheating

4. Inspect the sump(bottom plate) for any structural damage(I.e if broken, don't buy such an engine).

Shine your eyes well!!! o! There are Nigerian used engines that are being sold as what we in Nigeria, call, "direct Tokunbo".

NB: There isn't a perfect way to know if an engine is perfect, unless its ripped apart, and internal components inspected.
No parts Saler would allow that.

5. Open the oil fill cap, and flash through it with touch light. That gives you some view about the condition of the valve train in the cylinder head.

6. Loosened the oil filter/sump bolt, to check the nature of engine oil. If milky, you've got an overheated engine. Run away from it.

Darkened, and gunk filled interior suggests a poorly maintained engine, while a clear golden colour, depicts a nicely maintained engine.


CONCLUSION
Buying used engines, has got some technicalities and tricks involved.
It would be economically wise, to always have the correct engine specifications and the skills needed, before buying an engine.

It is better to engage the services of a professional to inspect an engine, than going it alone.

A stitch in time, saves nine(pls o! na my own saying b DAT o).



PS: Pictures in the figures below were taken during an engine inspections at the popular Ladipo market in Lagos, Nigeria



Regards,
Joseph
DW Nig Ltd
Lagos, Nigeria
08066643532(call/WhatsApp)

@Gazzuzz. I halfway, agree with you. What you've just explained is a plus, if you're ordering from the USA, or any online company.

That you can also do with Carfax.
Can you always be specific on what points of the article you're always responding to, so that others can be more enlightened?

Are you saying if you're buying a used engines e from the automotive market in a place like Ladipo in Lagos, you'd ask the engine seller for the Vin number and all that? If that's what you're saying, they won't take you serious. That means, you'd have to wait for ages to get through with them their.

¶¶¶I think I'd change the topic to: HOW TO BUY A USED ENGINE IN LADIPO, LAGOS.

PS: You can ask anyone on this platform, whose gone purchase engine in Ladipo before.

Wherever that engine comes from, whether Asia, Middle East, or North America, as far as its being containerised to Ladipo, Lagos, there's no other way you can ascertain the condition of that engine, except following some of the methods I have highlighted, and if possible, using a compression tester too.

@Gazzuzz. I think now you're getting g what I'm saying!
I think that's another option you've pointed out now.
If they refused you getting the Vin, you run away then?! Similar to what you do when trying to buy any car from the USA, or Nigeria. You check the vin, and run a Carfax report. But I hope you know often times, you've got to retrieve such Vins clandestinely.

@Gazzuzz. I think now you're getting g what I'm saying!

I think that's another option you've pointed out now.

Maybe, you should ha e perhaps said, "in addition, you could run a vin check on the prospective engines VIN, if you've got access to em".

If they refused you getting the Vin, you run away then?! Similar to what you do when trying to buy any car from the USA, or Nigeria. You check the vin, and run a Carfax report. But I hope you know often times, you've got to retrieve such Vins clandestinely?

@Gazzuzz. That's the problem o! Nice point though.

This is a great post Trygo.

I would like to add that during the market surveys in a place like Ladipo, people could also spend time getting recommendations for trusted sellers.

Trusted in the sense that they are not in the business of manipulating a worn out or faulty engine/gearbox and selling it as new, or would be able to settle amicably with the customer if the tokunbo engine/gearbox is discovered not to be in optimal condition after sale has been made etc.

This should be done alongside the technicalities you and Gazzuzz have suggested one should be on the look out for.

Many a mechanic have been deceived in that market. Then the struggle for a refund or replacement and by how much or what manner would begin.

My 2 cents.

It is better to engage the services of a professional to inspect an engine, than going it alone.



since u av written this,I don't see the reason for any long talk

why wld I go to oladipo and go shine my eye as tho I will see anything since I'm not trained

av ur mecho do it...with warnings and understanding about getting a replacement if this doesn't work..simple

@diportivo. Hmmm. If you've bought parts that costs the customer a fortune, YOU would not only shine your eyes while in that market. You go add tooth o! From any small mistake there, legal issues and ....comes up.

@Autopartz. You're right sir. I think there's no one throughout their experience in the automotive field, has never being into a quagmire as regards fallen victim of buying an engine/gearbox which was purportedly OKed, and later found out to be a real junk.

TRYGO:
@diportivo. Hmmm. If you've bought parts that costs the customer a fortune, YOU would not only shine your eyes while in that market. You go add tooth o! From any small mistake there, legal issues and ....comes up.

na wa o

so ur write up is even for mecho ppl and not owners?

@diportivo. No, depends on what section of the "fence" you're sitting on. If you're on the mecho part, you might learn some "bit". But for the car owner, going to get an engine/gearbox worth hundreds of thousands, you'd know there's somewhat a " thin line" of distinction to make.
I have experienced those guys, and how parts are bought in that market. Except, perhaps you aren't someone within the automotive chain. If you aren't, you must have heard a whole lot of issues about engine/gearbox purchases there.

@Gazzuzz. I do understand all what you're saying.
This is a "tip of" an ice berg na. Do me a favour to please be specific.
The writeup is specifically as regards purchases in Ladipo market, Lagos.

These guys selling those parts aren't organized as you'd want it.

In Ladipo, I hope you know those guys don't make use of P/N in their transactions? If you're placing orders for new parts, that we know you've got to, or else, you've yourself to blame at the.

¶¶¶What they are interested in is the engine configuration, model year, and some sensors/components variations, etc. ¶¶¶¶

PS: Y do you think, when you go there to buy used parts, its rare for you to get parts with same P/N as yours? Its that simple.

...."matching part numbers...."? That's y you need someone with such competencies to help you out there.
The writeup is tailored to the way the market is set up.

at the end of the day,


It is better to engage the services of a professional to inspect an engine, than going it alone


na this ur sentence I go hold on to

any individual who isn't a pro dat tries engine/transmission buying is on his own

@diportivo. That's the most cost saving method. But just in case the buyer is a do-it-yourself kind of person, this would apply also.

@

GAZZUZZ:


I have used this method a lot of times to buy engines from ladipo.
Picking the Vin is easy, the engine is not running away, after I receive results (10-30mins) I can decide.

VIN would not tell you the true state of an Engine, it would give you details about the car in general.If I change my Engine, it wont come up in VIN check rather in service history.
I think you should be more hands on and know waht you want, I have been in the Ladipo mkt, these guys turn on you like flies o n dead meat.

GAZZUZZ:


I'm hands on before Vin check. Engines are now rebuilt and rewashed with acid in ladipo. Used engines (nigerian used) are very sought after by ladipo chaps, an easy way to know that what you are getting is toks and fresh into the market is by running a check.

Ahahah, 9ja cha , they are very inovative. But mechanic sha are too quick to co ndem Engines in 9ja to quick, in teh US amd Europe the o nly reason ur Engine is condemned mainly is due to labour cost.People should try and buy original parts for thier cars as well.

GAZZUZZ:


another factor is time.

It will take me a max of 6hrs to remove the engine of a pilot 2007 and another 7hrs to put it back if a replacement is involved.

It will take 7-8hrs just to grind the valves of same vehicle, not factoring in de-carbonisation, washing,(poorly maintained nigerian engines can really make a mess) then when you measure the bores, you find out they are out of spec for standard rings.

Thats true, but let me say this, does this not bore down to tools as well?if i innovation is there and there is lift and power tools wont it be quicker? ie half the time?

GAZZUZZ:


That's where the expennnsive labour comes in, and before you know it, it's cheaper to get a toks engine

@erico2k2. Longest time! Thought you've being onboard the latest NASA space shuttle launch system to Mars. Well, that's the point I have tried pointing out in this article. You're perfectly right about VIN check before an engine is purchased in Ladipo. I for one, have never done that. I think the best thing in my opinion, would be the hands on visual inspections as I have enumerated here.

Thanks for the contributions though.

PS:
¶If there are standard tools, just as you've said, it would cut the duration of inspections and aftermath issues to almost 1/2.
Imagine what it would be, if during inspections, you've got a functional COMPRESSION TESTER.

¶ The other best way I would suggest is to BENCH TEST THE ENGINE WHILE OFF OF THE ENGINE. That way, you can assess its operations, etc.

There are service providers at the market, that do that.

TRYGO:
@erico2k2. Longest time! Thought you've being onboard the latest NASA space shuttle launch system to Mars. Well, that's the point I have tried pointing out in this article. You're perfectly right about VIN check before an engine is purchased in Ladipo. I for one, have never done that. I think the best thing in my opinion, would be the hands on visual inspections as I have enumerated here.

Thanks for the contributions though.

PS:
¶If there are standard tools, just as you've said, it would cut the duration of inspections and aftermath issues to almost 1/2.
Imagine what it would be, if during inspections, you've got a functional COMPRESSION TESTER.

¶ The other best way I would suggest is to BENCH TEST THE ENGINE WHILE OFF OF THE ENGINE. That way, you can assess its operations, etc.

There are service providers at the market, that do that.

I dey earth still lol
I never take off.the issue of buying used engine just weak.me sef . 9ja used part dealers are dubious . Me I thank God say I nor need deal with them.I had a bad ladipo expirience 2006 when I brought a container there . Those guys ah .