Quote:
Originally Posted by WarChild
I would count mileage as doing more damage over time than age.
If you can get someone to help you check out a few things out on your perspective purchase, it will be a big help.
Compression test is easy to do. I can probably even tell you how to do it on the internet, it's pretty simple. This will tell you a bit about what kind of shape the engine is in. Are the all cylinders running well or have one or more lost compression?
If it's an automatic, check the transmission fluid. It shouldn't be burnt.
Check the oil that's in the engine. Is it fairly clean or jet black? If it's jet black it's been in the engine too long and speaks to the kind of care the previous owner has given to the engine.
These are just a few simple things to check, the list could go on and on. Try and find a friend with a little knowledge to help.
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Excellent advice. Some clarifications
1 - Compression test: Make sure each cylinder is within 10% of the others.
2 - Transmission fluid should smell sweet and be a reddish color. Brown & burnt is bad
3 - Pull the dipstick and look at the oil on the dipstick. As Warchild said, black oil is bad. If it is black it hasn't been changed in a long time and as Warchild said it speaks volumes for what sort of care the vehicle had. Also, make sure you don't notice anything that resembles small globs of chocolate milkshake. That means coolant and oil are mixing. It could indicate a cracked head or blown head gasket.
4 - Another good indicator are the tires. If they have any sort of weird wear pattern, i.e. cupping or wear on the edges, it could also speak about the owners level of care because it means they aren't getting it aligned and stuff.
5 - If you can, try to take off a valve cover. The cylinder head should not have any sludge anywhere.
Generally speaking, RVs tend to only get highway miles. That's a good thing. Long highway trips mean the engine is running at very high temperatures which reduces the chance of sludge buildup.
I would ALWAYS go for low miles over age anyday. In fact, try to find something as old as you can with as few miles as you can and you'll probably get a good deal.