Assessing and Inspecting

What are the appropriate things to check before or after purchasing an SM in order to assess its state, safety, and immediate needs?

See also Danger

• Does engine move freely?

Remove plugs

Engage fourth gear

Can car move?

If on a ramp, you can turn the engine with a screwdriver against the starter ring.

• Exhaust valves

If possible, do not start it until checking that they are not sodium filled.

• Fuel lines

They crack and spray gasoline all over

• Rust

SM cars normally get cosmetically bad before major structural rust is a danger. As the car is easy to inspect when on a ramp, it is not difficult to assess the car.

• Primary Chain Tensioner

Drop the oil pan to check position of tensioner, and presence or absence of curved static tensioner. See also below.

• Secondary Chains

As a quick check, rev the engine gently to 3000 RPM, and let it idle. If you hear a chain noise as the engine accelerates & slows down, then you have chain work to do. A SM engine in good condition has NO MECHANICAL NOISES AT ALL.

See also:

• http://www.semantics.uk.com/buyers/index.htm
• http://users.skynet.be/sky38711/allfiles/smfile/citro%EBn_sm_buyersg.htm