 INSPECTION SERVICE... Thinking of buying an Aston Martin? We will inspect the vehicle for you and provide a comprehensive report in its condition, together with a valuation. This service is proving popular with our customers.Below is an example of a Inspection Report
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Please find below the report on the Aston Martin DB2/4 Mk3 The report below is the opinion of the person inspecting the vehicle with no dismantling of the car being carried out. UNDER THE BONNET. 1. The bonnet has been replaced at some time. The one now fitted does not have the correct interior frame to clear the front carburettor air filter of the DBD engine. 2. Drivers side front chassis has been repaired in front of the axle (Possibly due to accident damage as per the bonnet) 3. Front chassis extensions in front of both front wheels missing. This is not a problem as they can be easily replaced. 4. The engine has incorrect engine mounts fitted. Again this is not a difficult job to replace them with the correct type. 5. The front carburettor has the incorrect air cleaner fitted. Please ref back to number 1 above. 6. The car has been fitted with a Brake Servo. This has been fitted neatly but has excess brake pipe coiled up next to it, which should be removed to finish the job to a correct standard. See picture 103.0305 7. The original tool kit is complete and in good condition except for the screwdriver. 8. The engine breather pipe has been replaced with a piece of copper heating pipe. Again this is easily replaced with the correct item. 9. There are no visible leaks from the cooling system but the coolant would appear to have some sort of additive in it. The radiator looks to be in good condition. The top hose would need to be replaced as it is showing signs of deterioration. 10. Both the exhaust manifolds have lost most of their enamel. 11. Bonnet side support pads on top of each side pod are missing. 12. The bonnet is starting to mark the paint on the rear corner of both side pods where it is coming down too close when closed. The rear shut line is a little on the wide side. These faults are down to incorrect bonnet alignment, which can be corrected by adjustment. 13. The interior of the bonnet and side pods has been finished with stone chip body protector paint. This is the incorrect finish for this; the bonnet should be smooth paint as the body. 14. The cars jack handle is missing. 15. The starter solenoid is not the correct Lucas type. 16. The Rubber extensions fitted to the bottom of each front inner wing on the bonnet are not as original. UNDER THE CAR. 1. Both front brake callipers are of a later 3-piston type. They do appear to be reconditioned units and work well. 2. The passenger side front shock absorber is very poor and needs rebuilding or replacing. 3. The steering box has excessive play and will need adjusting if possible or rebuilding if no more adjustment is left. 4. The exhaust system is a stainless steel item. It has not been fitted to the original mounts. Where the rear mounts come through the bodywork there is some damage on the driver's side. 5. There is oil leaking from both ends of the front axle. Also the center steering pivot on the front axle has play in the bearings. 6. Rear passenger side shock absorber leaking oil badly. ENGINE & GEARBOX 1. The engine started well from cold and idled on a small choke setting. Once warmed to 75oC the oil pressures were:- @ 900rpm = 45psi @ 2000rpm = 45psi @ 3000rpm = 45psi The above would show that there is either a gauge fault or that there is a fault with the oil pressure relief valve. When on the road the oil pressure at 80oC was 30psi @ 3000rpm. It would go higher on acceration but then dropped back which again would point to a sticking pressure relief valve. I would recommend that the oil and filter should be changed; the relief valve removed and cleaned then the car road tested again. Hopefully that will sort the problem, if not the engine will need more investigations as to why the oil pressure is so low. 2. Bad oil leak from either the cam to front cover seals or the head gasket. The cam seals should be changed then the engine run to see if there is any leak from the front of the head gasket. 3. There is excessive oil leaking from all the cylinder liner land bleed holes, (the synthetic oil has stripped the paint off the block) The only way to stop this properly is to fully strip the engine and replace all the liner bottom seals. There are some ways to do a quick fix but it does not cure the basic problem. 4. The front and rear carburettors have the wrong idle speed control screws fitted. (A very easy job to correct) 6. The throttle cable has an incorrect return spring. CAR INTERIOR & BOOT INTERIOR. 1. The dash and glove box lid has been covered in leather the same colour as the seats. For this model the dash should be in black. 2. All the interior carpets have been replaced with an inferior quality carpet with synthetic fibre content. All Aston Martins should have Wilton carpet with 100% wool pile. 3. Sun visors have been covered in leatherette cloth. 4. All interior leather on the seats and trim has been renewed. The new leather is not of the standard of Connelly Hide as originally fitted. But the workmanship of the trimming is of a good standard. 5. The interior of the boot lid has been finished in Stone chip (as the bonnet) Again this is not in keeping with the original finish. 6. The new tonneau cover does not have the press-studs that hold it in place fitted. 7. The car interior does not have the studs for the tonneau cover either. 8. There is no key for the boot lock, but this is being corrected by the selling agent. 9. The headlight flasher button on the end of the headlight dip beam switch/arm does not work. 10. The dash Clock does not work. 11. A modern Hazard flasher system has been fitted to the car. But has been wired into the wrong side of the ignition switch so does not work when the ignition is switched off. 12. The windscreen washers do not work. 13. The rear view mirror should be mounted on top of the dash. It has been moved to the top of the windscreen. The mounting is loose and the mirror is of the wrong type. 14. A piece of the trim in the glove box is loose and has a screw missing. 15. A modern high intensity rear fog light has been fitted. This has been wired into the heater fan switch; therefore the heater fan does not work. BODYWORK & EXTERIOR FITTINGS. 1. One bulb in the rear number plate light inoperative. 2. Right-hand front sidelight inoperative 3. Left-hand front headlight inoperative on dipped beam. 4. Mark in the paint on the top of the passenger door where the hood touches when up. 5. Passenger and Drivers door glass loose in their runners. 6. Mark on the top of the bonnet on the driver's side where a wing mirror was fitted. The hole has been repaired and filled before painting. 7. Paint blister on the bottom front corner of the passenger door. 8. Paint blister on boot edge on the passenger side bottom corner. 9. Paint chip on the passenger side rear wing by the boot aperture. 10. Both front headlight rims are of an earlier type with the raised Lucas badge at the top. The correct type do not have the Lucas badge. The above items were found on a limited inspection at the premises of the selling agent. Further investigation of the engine oil pressure problem needs to be undertaken to try to establish if there is a major fault or just a sticking relief valve. The balance of the car is in reasonable condition but the car is let down by a number of small faults. The cost to correct these would mean a reduction in the purchase price is called for. This report is the opinion of the writer only and is not to be used as a statement of fact or be regarded as a full engineers report, or to be used as such. I hope this helps you with regards to the condition of the car and gives you a fuller picture as to the overall condition. If you have any further questions please call or E-mail. Yours truly, David Reed |
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