Oil in Coolant Scam

Nick2449 · Post by **Nick2449** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:38 pm

Well I'm selling the E85, three guys come down from London I open the car up including bonnet before they ask me to fetch service history. I nip off to get it. Guy then asks for test drive with me driving . Asks me to boot it which I do once engine warmed up and smoke billows out of the exhaust. Get back and they have spilt oil.around the gasket, put water on the oil cap and start saying the head gasket has gone. I realise they are trying to scam me by this stage and so they go off and still call me to ask if I want to sell it as is at which point I told him to F off. So sucked the oil out of coolant reservoir but still.smokes under acceleration so off for a coolant flush. Pi,,,ed off doesn't come close!

Neil CR · Post by **Neil CR** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:48 pm

Bang out of order that

Nanu · Post by **Nanu** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 7:50 pm

So annoying but these scum must get away with it with some people or they wouldn't be doing it.

If you have their details send them off to Action Fraud.

Smartbear · Post by **Smartbear** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 8:34 pm

That’s strange, for smoke to come out of the exhaust oil must have been introduced to the combustion chambers.
I wonder what they did to achieve that?

Rob

Nick2449 · Post by **Nick2449** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:25 pm

Not being mechanically minded I can't answer your question Rob but there was definitely oil in the coolant as I dipped a stick in there and then pumped it out before refilling with fresh coolant. It is unfortunately a common trick applied with a squeeze bottle of oil. I haven't checked the exhaust tips themselves to see if they squirted some in there as well but will tomorrow.

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:28 pm

Smartbear wrote: ↑Sun Oct 09, 2022 8:34 pm That’s strange, for smoke to come out of the exhaust oil must have been introduced to the combustion chambers.
I wonder what they did to achieve that?
Rob

Probably just the oil spilt in the cam box area dropping down to the exhaust…very hard to distinguish oil burnt from engine through exhaust and oil dropping onto downpipes and being sucked under the car following the exhaust pipes path as it’s the only feasible route for air to flow along…

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:29 pm

Would pouring water in the oil filler not cause smoke ?

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:31 pm

MKZ4000 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:29 pm Would pouring water in the oil filler not cause smoke ?

No..water in the engine would boil off through evaporation..no smoke..

MKZ4000 · Post by **MKZ4000** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:31 pm

That would wind me up. Why does it need three of them to look at a car ? 2 max for a lift back

B21 · Post by **B21** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:33 pm

Nick2449 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:25 pm Not being mechanically minded I can't answer your question Rob but there was definitely oil in the coolant as I dipped a stick in there and then pumped it out before refilling with fresh coolant. It is unfortunately a common trick applied with a squeeze bottle of oil. I haven't checked the exhaust tips themselves to see if they squirted some in there as well but will tomorrow.

Doubt that the exhaust tips would get hot enough to generate smoke…they are relatively cool running..if not they would melt the plastic trim around them..

pvr · Post by **pvr** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 10:08 pm

MKZ4000 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 09, 2022 9:31 pm That would wind me up. Why does it need three of them to look at a car ? 2 max for a lift back

Same lot as the cash for crash, always in 3 to intimidate.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Sun Oct 09, 2022 11:02 pm

I’ve heard this story before somewhere, must be a common trick

Scubaregs · Post by **Scubaregs** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 10:02 am

Yes, this scam has been going on for a while.

MikeyH · Post by **MikeyH** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 10:50 am

I can remember a few years ago my wife and I went to look at a cheap family car, when we arrived 2 men appeared from the house and announced they were selling it for their mother, she wasn't there. 1st red flag. Then a young lady turned up while we were looking the car over showing a lot of interest in the car, 2nd red flag because we had booked a time to see it. Then I noticed the drivers door didn't shut at the top and was at least 10mm sticking out. I asked them about this but they didn't seem to care. Warned the woman about this but again didn't seem to care, 3rd red flag. Needless to say we made a hasty departure.

Rucky · Post by **Rucky** » Mon Oct 10, 2022 11:23 am

Sorry, Dont understand how putting oil in the coolant could cause smoking from the exhaust?
But it would be reason to claim a head gasket fault.
Putting water in the oil would make a bit of Mayo.

Never leave your car unattended when buyers are about!

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