Sample Mechanical Report

Return to Inspections

Do you like what you see?

Order Inspection

Vehicle Info

Year 2007
Make Ford
Model F350
VIN 1FTWW31PX7EA17021
Stock No. #1001826
Mileage 143204
Trailer Hitch Yes
Transmission Automatic
Drive Type Four Wheel Drive
Trans Model Automatic
Tire Size (on Vehicle) LT275/70R18
Stock Tires Yes
Engine Cylinders 8 Cylinder
Fuel Type Diesel

Warranty Info

Towed to Shop Yes
Labor Rate 95
Previous Repair History None
Labor Rate Posted/Verbal Verbal
Tear Down Prior to Inspection No

Engine

Evidence of Overheating No
Radiator Condition Good
Belts/Hoses Good
A/C Yes
P/S Yes
P/B Yes

Fluids

Transmission Fluid Intermix No
Transmission Fluid Metal No
Engine Oil Level Full
Engine Oil Condition Dirty
Engine Oil Leaks No
Coolant Level Full
Coolant Condition Dirty
Transmission Fluid Level Full
Transmission Fluid Condition Clean
Transmission Fluid Leaks
The bell housing is wet, which could possibly be engine oil leaking from the rear main seal, or transmission fluid leaking from the torque converter seal, and would require further diagnosis after cleaning.
Engine Oil Intermix No
Coolant Leaks No

Condition

Vehicle Condition Average
Signs of Abuse No
Signs of Collision No
Signs of Modifications
EGR cooler is aftermarket, "Bullet Proof Diesel". Vehicle has 2-3" lift spacers. 5th wheel hitch mounted in bed.
Signs of Commercial Use No

Findings

Suspected Cause of Failure
Findings indicate an internal sealing failure of the turbocharger.
Play in the turbo shaft indicates long term wear.
Fault codes and symptoms indicate the engine condition requires further diagnosis to determine the cause and extent of the failure and any subsequent damage. The aftermarket EGR cooler's condition and its effect on the engine are unknown.
State of Assembly
Air cleaner and intake tube removed.
Inspector Observations
This is a surprise inspection, and the repair facility (RF) was not contacted prior to my arrival. The RF contact Steve, reports that the vehicle was towed in to their shop, and they have not received any authorization to diagnose or inspect the vehicle. He states they do not know the state of the vehicle, other than it experienced a runaway diesel condition, and there is oil leaking from the turbo. He reports the vehicle was smoldering and smoking when it arrived, and asked me not to run the engine during the inspection. 
We cranked the engine to make sure it was not seized, and it took several cranks to get it to start. When the engine started, it ran rough and white smoke came out of the exhaust, so we shut the engine down immediately to avoid any further damage. 
Oil is leaking heavily from inside the turbocharger, and is visible inside the turbo housing, around the impeller, and in the intake. The turbo impeller shaft has play, and can be moved approximately 1/16" by hand. There is an excessive amount of oil in the air intake tube and air filter, and air cleaner housing. There is oil all over the top of the engine, and some has slung around the turbo area. There are no visible signs of intermix, overheat, or excessive heat in the engine compartment. There are multiple minor oil leaks and seeps, but the heavy oil leak appears to be coming from inside the turbo itself.
Fault codes P0675 cylinder 5 glow plug circuit/open (current); P0606 ECM/PCM processor (pending); P0675 Cylinder 5 glow plug circuit/open (pending) are present in the system. Please refer to photos for freeze frame data. 
Notes: No direct evidence of runaway condition was visible, but the amount of oil present in the turbo and intake indicate it is possible that oil had made it into the intake and caused it to runaway. The white smoke condition could also be caused by faulty ECM/PCM, fuel delivery issues, or EGR cooler/valve failures. The EGR cooler is aftermarket and its condition is unknown. The EGR valve is present. The fault code P0606 indicates a possible issue with the PCM/ECM and requires diagnosis. 
Facility Recommended Repairs
The vehicle will likely require a new turbocharger, but further diagnosis would be required to determine the condition of the engine and ECM/PCM, and to determine what repairs are required.
Reason For Inspection
This is a surprise inspection. The repair facility is not to be contacted. The customer was driving the Vehicle when a large puff of smoke came from the Vehicle and it stalled. The customer did not attempt to start the Vehicle. Inspect for possible issue and cause. Check Fluids for proper condition and levels.

Tires

Tire Size (on vehicle)LT275/70R18
Stock Tires?Yes

Do you like our sample report? Get your own!

Buy Now

Important Disclosures

This report reflects the inspector’s opinion based on a visual evaluation of reasonably accessible, observable conditions at the time of inspection only, together with a road test only if this report states that one was conducted. Vehicles are not placed on a lift or disassembled, and no diagnostic testing or teardown was performed. This inspection report is for information purposes only and is intended as a buying guide, not a mechanical warranty or diagnostic breakdown, and is not to be considered a recommendation for or against the purchase of the inspected vehicle. This report does not address value, title, VIN authenticity, vehicle history, odometer accuracy, open recalls, or emissions or smog compliance, and does not determine eligibility under any lemon law.

A green check mark in the detail section of the inspection report does NOT indicate that the specific components or systems are in good and operating condition under all circumstances. Rather, the check-mark signifies only that, at the time of inspection, the inspector observed the item to be present and noted no visible issue with it and, if a test drive was conducted, noted no issue during that drive, which cannot replicate all driving conditions.

This Inspection Report is governed by the terms and conditions of the order which were accepted by you at the time of placing the order and which are available at https://lemonsquad.com/terms and which contain important information, disclosures, disclaimers, limitations on liability, a class action waiver and mandatory arbitration.

This Inspection Report is for the sole and exclusive use of the Customer named above and may not be used or relied upon by any third party including, without limitation, any seller of the inspected vehicle or any purchaser of a vehicle from Customer.

Without limiting the Limited Warranty, Disclaimers, Limitations of Liability and Dispute Resolution provisions of the terms and conditions (available at https://lemonsquad.com/terms), there are no implied or express warranties or guarantees of any kind in connection with any vehicle inspection, and the Limited Warranty does not apply to inspections. The vehicle inspection is intended solely as an “evaluation” of a given vehicle’s condition at the time, date and place of examination. Wrench will perform each inspection with reasonable care within the scope stated in this report, and the report reflects the inspector’s opinion. Except as provided in the terms and conditions and to the fullest extent permitted by law, Wrench Inc., and its affiliates including LemonSquad, specifically disclaim liability for any loss or damage arising in connection with ownership or operation of said vehicle, and for any hidden wreck, flood damage or tampered components not readily apparent upon visual inspection. The vehicle inspection is not a warranty of originality or that every component of a vehicle’s applicable trim level at the time of manufacture is present or functioning in the vehicle, nor that aftermarket modifications to the vehicle have, or have not, been made. The items visually inspected were in the reported condition listed in the report at the time of the inspection only. A visual inspection will not identify the working condition of each and every vehicle part or component, nor will a visual inspection identify any or all missing, tampered or altered components. Intermittent component or systems issues or failures may not present themselves at the precise time of inspection and/or a vehicle may be tuned in a manner to mask or minimize any such issues; in either case, such intermittent issues may not be discoverable during inspection. Subject to the standard of care stated above, Wrench further disclaims liability for any damage or defects not found during inspection. Other conditions may exist which did not occur or appear during inspection. It is the customer’s responsibility to obtain the consent of the vehicle’s owner or seller to the inspection and any test drive, and to ensure the vehicle to be inspected is in a state in which the vehicle is legal to drive on public roads, safe and functioning well enough to start and drive, and located in a space that is accessible and allows the inspector full access to vehicle components. Vehicles that are not safe, legal, or in a running condition will not have a test drive performed. The inspector may decline or stop a test drive at any time in the inspector’s discretion. Any claim relating to an inspection must be submitted to Wrench in writing within thirty (30) days after the customer discovers the basis for the claim and, where practicable, before the vehicle is repaired or altered, so that Wrench may re-inspect the vehicle.