Customer states just bought the car but the engine makes noise! Shop missed many problems. 

AMD, I wanted to assure you, the Society For The Prevention of Cruelty to Avalons has been alerted!! For the record, was this car pulled out of Lake Michigan or the Chicago River? There is a very important lesson to be learned here, never buy a used Avalon from anyone under the age of 80!😉 But seriously, pay for a thorough inspection and repair estimate from a competent mechanic BEFORE you buy a used car.

Customer is concerned about a few things 🤨. I would be concerned about everything 😬

Even if you are a mechanic or an advanced DIY, it's still not a bad idea to have another set of eyes inspect a vehicle before purchase. Different eyes and experiences see different things even when looking at the same thing... if that makes any sense.

It's my guess that this car is not showing the correct odometer reading. By the looks of the poor condition of the interior, worn pulleys, and the general untidyness of the engine bay, it's my guess that this was a taxi with considerably more mileage than shown.

Your a Gem.I'm lucky to have a friend that runs his own mechanic shop that has the same great moral character as yourself.Its usually about a 3 week waiting list to get in.

The comment about the interior is spot on. I was in the car business for 18 years and I found that if the interior was in great shape the rest of the car was usually maintained as well. Personally, as a gear head, I always kept the mechanicals up but didn't worry so much about the interior, so it was counter-intuitive for me.

That interior alone would have made me walk away. Glad you mentioned that.

It’s blatantly obvious this car wasn’t well cared for. I would never have bought it. Hope he got a killer deal on it. Love your videos.

You’re not only a good mechanic and a man of character, you’re also good at video and commentary. Always good content because I’m a curious person.

Solid advice right there. My dad is a retired mechanic and says you are spot on. He would get cars in the shop all the time where people would buy without getting them checked out. Interior trashed is definitely a big red flag.

with the shortage of used cars out there, even cars without engines in them are going for $5,000 and up.

Buying a high milage car is always a risk. But with the missing engine cover, visible leaks and the torn up interior it was pretty clear this was going to need at lot of work.

That's a good saying, "what can see will highly reflect what you can't see." That's wise.

I have a 2009 Avalon with 346,000 miles , cant wait to see you do the water pump Thanks for the Great videos.

This car wasn’t cared for and was abused

Would love to see more videos of the repairs on this car.

Use an mechanic stethoscope it has a Long rod at the end and you can pinpoint where the noise comes from when you put it on or close to the bearing

This is a prime example why the owner shop have had a professional look this vehicle over before buying . Having retired from the industry I commend you on your thoroughness . I would highly recommend that owners only take their vehicles to shops that can do the full service of all mechanicals with out the shop needing to out source any repairs or services like alignments. The shop that looked this vehicle over was not very thorough in their vehicle assessment. No excuse for missing the leaky steering hose , water pump bearing , or the radiator . Parts that are leaky or worn don't get better with time they only get worse . You are correct with giving the customer the choice to replace the radiator now instead of later with the nature of the pump replacement. Let them decide . This vehicle has had a hard life and was not cared for properly . Most of the time the outward appearance and the interior really do let us know how the mechanical workers are also . It's very unusual to find a vehicle that the appearance was overlooked while the mechanical services were performed in a timely manner. This vehicle definitely shows a lack of pride of ownership .

Nice To Know We Have Someone In The Chicago Area ADM. And Your Camera Person 😎

I wish every mechanic was as conscientious as you, keep it up, I love the videos.

Happened across your channel by accident. Watched a bunch of your videos. Very impressive knowledge base you have, and this video was spot on. I wish you lived near me! When you said , what you can see will highly reflect what you cant see, very insightful!

Fantastic diagnostic video, again! I'd feel so stressed if I were the owner, but at least it is a good warning and this car can be the subject of more excellent repair videos.

Thanks for more lessons on CAREFUL review of the state of a car. Was glad to hear the owner was NOT in upside down too. Thank you for the education!

Always enjoy watching your vehicle assessments. This person is fortunate to have your services.

rust is soo nasty, i love that in western australia we don't have to worry about rust unless u drive at the beach

This video was really a delight and great teaching since I also own a 2011 Limited Avalon. I got it 3 years ago when it had 127,090 miles on it. I put on like 40,000 miles already. It was and still is in pristine conditions. My mechanic always thinks I’m paranoid because I always address anything the minute I take notice of it and sometimes it’s just something I forgot in my trunk rolling around and making noises 😂😂. Thank you very much for your insights. I know more about Toyotas today then I did before knowing you.

I would love to watch the repairs get done on this vehicle AMD is very Thorough and knowledgeable wish we could have him in every Toyota dealership. 👍👍👍

I hope we get that water pump video lol coming from a 2GR-FE owner. Your knowledge is priceless, thank you for everything you've been teaching me/us. We are geniuses because of you lol

For the tension pulley I took only the pulley off the tensioner still attached. Took the number stamped on the bearing it self. Knocked the bearing out of the pulley brought it to advance auto,matched them up and bingo. Tapped the new one in $15

New sub here, you're VERY smart and honest. I really enjoyed your 5000 mile oil change suggestion video featuring the engine with the seized bottom rings due to 10,000 mile oil changes. That car certainly had a hard life internally and externally and didn't see much mechanical care, even at a good price why go through all the problems of finding a good mechanic like yourself, i am sure you gained a new customer though.

Glad we are subscribers! Extremely informative!

Hi Ahmed from an Australian living in Seoul, South Korea (KIA owner of course LOL). You would have to be the best presenter on RU-vid. Your delivery style is perfect. Calm, honest and extremely knowledgeable. I am hooked on your channel and I'm not even a car nut. Who needs Netflix when we can all enjoy your work? Well done on your new workshop and good luck with everything you do in life. An amazing man with an equally amazing back story. Good on you!

My 2011 Limited came from my dealer without those rubber/plastic plugs installed. When I asked the dealer about them they said that they didn't need to be installed. I live in Florida so maybe it's a regional thing. I still have the plastic packages with the plugs in them unopened 10 years later. My seats don't look anything like the ones shown here but I take care of them and my car has just over 85,000 miles on it. Thanks for the high quality video.

A great video. You showed in detail what to look for when looking at older used cars.

Regarding that squeaking noise, which sometimes comes from the alternator, I had the same issue with my 2009 RX350 with this same 2GR-FE engine. It happened at about 110,000 mi. Sounds like crickets chirping, especially at idle. And it gets a bit louder over time. The sound goes away under load. So, if you replaced your pulleys AND your water pump is good, then that squeak is from the alternator pulley.

You are a better man than I. If It were brought to me, I would pass.

I've found on some similar sprung loaded tensioners on non Toyota products I've worked on in the past, the pulley wheel on the tensioner was basically the same as one of the idler wheels & could easily be replaced by ordering an extra idler wheel.

Love watching ur videos. Just bought a brand new Camry and love it. Would like to see u diagnose and repair a vehicle to see how it runs after. Wish there were more mechanics like u.

Another interesting, inspiring, and useful video. Thank you. I never miss one. Your insights transcend car repair - useful philosophy for this crazy, modern world.

“A couple days wrenching on the car and breaking things.” 😂 Sounds about right! Thank you for the video though man! I have a Toyota Avalon 2006, and through this video, I learned what to watch out for. Que Dios lo bendiga también. Y gracias por su videos!

AMD please always consider these kind of videos as I feel those of us that watch these more technical channels tend to own a bit older cars anyway, and any tips and tricks you can give us would be like gold and would make us so very grateful. And God bless you brother for everything you've done on your channel to make life better for your viewers. BTW despite having the new Toyota part, studs, nuts, & gaskets sitting in my garage to replace it, I still haven't tackled that rear exhaust manifold on my '99 Camry IMZ as I've been too big of a chicken to get started on it despite just recently doing the timing belt job myself (belt, waterpump, pulleys, cam/crank seals)! Exhaust work always makes me feel queasy!😰😅

Great video. It helps me look for any issues on my Avalon. Keep up the fantastic tutorial videos, Sensei!!!

Love your videos thanks for sharing. Would love to see a video of the actual repair.

Thanks AMD for the informative dig into how someone can treat a customer, as you said near the end if I saw that interior I would have walked away right away. As we spend the quality time sitting inside a car I want my interior perfect. Hope the customer will now spend that bit more to fix the required engine work but that interior damn I could not live with that much damage looks like the wolverine went crazy inside there. Keep Safe Keep Strong My Friend

Unfortunately not previously owned by a car care nut. Thanks, AMD! ❤❤

So sorry for buyer, but so happy I going to learn how to replace a Avalon water pump

Great vid!!Keep ‘em coming.

Ahmed. Very good video. Good point. Pre-purchase inspection is essential but from a trusted shop.

Great video! I have a 2011 Avalon Limited and love it. Totally agree about vehicle appearance. Typically if someone doesn't take care of the interior and exterior....you can bet they don't take care of maintenance.

I must be OCD...I keep my wife's RAV 4 and my New Tundra near spotless. I have never seen an interior like this in any of my vehicles. I degrease the engine bay once a year, old changes and other maintenance to the letter and in some cases I go beyond recommended. I always buy brand new. I do not want somebody else's headaches. BTW...when you had the engine running, I guessed a bad bearing on a pulley. I am surprised the water pump is not leaking already thru the weep hole. I have to say, you are super honest and super reasonable about the order of care for a vehicle. The world needs more mechanics like you. I bet with your honesty, you never run out of repeat customers.👍🤘🇨🇦

I'm really sorry for that car. It looking so abused. Thank you AMD and Mrs TCCN.

To me it looks like it was sitting outside for a while would explain dry seats sagging roof liner and burnt paint

It was very relieving to see the owner didn't get ripped off and knew they had a fixer upper

These videos are getting better and better. Can't wait to see the water pump replacement video ! 👌🤙

I like your comment about what you can see will reflect on what you can't see. If the owner took care of the interior, he/she will likely have taken care of the rest of the car (i.e. proper maintenance was done). Thank you for your channel. I am about to purchase a used car for the first time (likely a 2016-2018 Rav 4) and the knowledge that sources like you provide is very valuable for me. Unfortunately many used car dealers (in Ontario where I live) won't let me take the vehicle to an independent mechanic to inspect before buying. I will have to rely on my own inspection.

Nailed it, the first thing that stood out was the faded hood and the interior as a red flag. Even though it's a 2011, I've seen much older Avalons that looked far better than this one.. It's been my experience as well that cars that look like this, almost always have been poorly maintained and when something needs repaired, it's done with the absolute cheapest poor quality part by the cheapest and not so competent repair facility. Forgive me if I missed it, but how many miles are on that car?

I've been a toyota guy for years and recently found and have watched most of your vids. Thanks for all you do car care nut your an awesome guy and a great mechanic!!!!!

It breaks my heart to see a beautiful Avalon so terribly mistreated. Normally, they're such wonderful vehicles! The Avalon was one of my very favourite cars when I was younger; I nearly went and bought one before I ended up settling on a Honda Accord.

I am in the UK and currently looking at Toyota Avensis for next car. Currently have a Honda that has been very reliable and cheap to run with no issues. Love this channel.

Great video again! I appreciate the fact that you can work with good example vehicles as well as bad.

I worked at a shop and I swear we did every smaller shops and some same sized shops alignments. Reach out it isn't hard to get a special alignment price B2B for your shops. Also TCCN look into a hand held Gimbel there are some that are under 100 on amazon and will make it easier to film with no shake.

Love your thoroughness with all the Toyotas you look at for customers.. and your reviews excellent work wish there was more mechanics like you 😉 oh I drive a 2019 Corolla hybrid I always take my car to Toyota for services I trust them and keeps my service history with dealer when it comes time to trade it looks better that’s it’s being used genuine parts.. wish they kept selling the Avalon here in Australia they stop them here around 2017 😩

great video and a good reminder when buying any car!

Excellent inspection video! Have a really good day. 😀 Thanks as always. Bob C

Great video. Really like the inspection videos.👍👍

Fascinating! Thank you for this video.

That's a great year for the Avalon too, shame the previous owner was incompetent or simply did not care. I'd love to find a nice 2011-2015 Avalon, I'd buy it instantly

Really enjoyed how you went through the car and looked at all the problems. I have a better idea what to look at when buying a used car. Thanks.

To find a gentleman mechanic that has half the thorough knowledge and integrity . We can dream can’t we ? Needle in a haystack . But those seats , teenage hand me down ? Neglect to soft a word . Quality seat covers a must here .

I always gain a lot of knowledge from your videos thankyou.

Hi AMD! Had someone TAKEN proper care of the Avalon, it would be WORTH the investment. (could GET another 100-200,000 miles MORE). Be nice to see more videos on older Toyotas. Ppl are suffering, can't afford new cars, & are punished BECAUSE they cant afford things. This ALSO shows ppl what happens if u DON'T maintain vehicles. Sometimes they can't afford at the moment, but DO ASAP. U are a GREAT human being master tech & a breath of fresh air.

I want to send my cars to you that my customers need a second opinion PPI… because you’re down to earth. It’s a used car no I’m not rebuilding it. Yes some tiny oil spots.. yes some surface rust we’re in the northeast. Damn man you’re the most level headed pre purchase mechanic I would send u all my PPI’s and gladly fix any discoveries.

Thank you Amd Much appreciated.

23:24 100% agree. The destroyed interior means the previous owner did not care for that car. Definitely is a car I would NOT buy.

Keep us posted on what you end up doing on this car thx Amd

Great video; well spoken and informative!

He must have had it serviced at Firestone. 😂

That car looks like one that would come off a used car lot in our Paterson or Newark area (that's what a used 2009 GX470 or an older SC 300 looked like from that area when I was looking a few years ago). I draw the line as soon as I see discolored soiled seats that were cut with a knife or some type of duct tape on the seat. Hopefully it works out!

This car was trashed bad. I have a 2011 Avalon Limited, excellent car, reliable and comfortable. 128k, zero issues ever. I do proactive maintenance and keep it clean clean. Plan on keeping it till I pass it to my kid as they get older.

Absolutely. My policy on some work is, if I am going to replace a part and there are other parts that show their age then replace them. I replaced a radiator on a Camry, might as well do the thermostat and hoses for example. Why do the job twice. Now, tell me how to take or pull a heater core out of a 2003 Camry that is stuck so bad it feels like it's been JB welded in 25 years ago. 😂. 1 hour job is turning into a nightmare 😂. Life of a DIY.

I swear, I am so pleased with my LS430. '02 and tho there are issues with the paint (chips, etc) thing still looks better than 99% of "newer" cars out there.

We love this kind of content. Awesome.

Repalced a water pump, tensioner pully only and alternator on a 2005 Avalon XL. The alternator has a clutch on the pully which makes that squeaking noise. Other than that just undid the passenger side engine mount and torque strut and lifted the engine with a floor jack so the water pump pulle will clear the chassis. Took about 2-1/2 hours.

I am ready to buy my own tire mounting and balancer machine rather than to allow the thieves around me to mess my wheels and tires up again while charging me a ridicules price per tire. F-that!.

By the way- I also enjoy your vids and would love to see you replace the water pump and whatever else you do to this car!

Love these costumer states series videos

I am with you car care nut, I would’ve stayed away from this car in the first place but when the person looking has no mechanical knowledge sometimes they make mistakes this could be costly money pit! Big thumbs up!

Amazing, I have the same year Avalon with more miles and my interior is still like new.

AMD thank you for the video Sir I enjoyed it very educating Stay safe.👍🏼

Thanks a lot! Wish I had a good knowledgeable and genuine mechanic like you, if so I could have easily put many more miles in my 2004 highlander! Anyways thanks to RU-vid , I know you now!!!

You're supposed to get it inspected *BEFORE* you buy. I guess it's possible the buyer actually had it inspected, and the inspector was just lousy. Hope the buyer didn't pay too much, at least.

Great info!

Hi brother, if I see a car like that I will walk away that’s mean this car not been taking care of

I agree with ya on the interior. The poor car has not had a good home with the previous owner.

I really love ur presentation, highly skilled.

Love your work 👍

Good info. Thanks.

Good shitttt. Subbed.

TCCN,thanks for another great video. I think this is a former Uber X that reached its 10-year limit. Car was high quality when new. Could be worth investment to get it right. Depends on cost. A 4-cylinder Camry might be more cost-effective option for basic transportation.

I found an '02 Avalon for my kids first car. Salvaged and reconstructed. Original owner owned an auto body shop, hit a deer, rebuilt it for his grand kids to drive. I bought it from the last of his grand kids. 165k miles. Frankenstein looking patchwork of body parts, but mechanically perfect, meticulously maintained, and well worth the $1500 he paid for it. Now he's blabbling about a Dodge Charger, but he still loves his Avalon and keeping it for his daily.