need to vent

[99FiveOh]

So, I have my 99 3.8 engine up for sale on a local CL ad and a guy comes out to look at it. with 138k on the clock, this baby still runs very nice. He says he will talk to his mechanic about what it will take to install in his 98 and get back with me.

I talked to him just now and he's telling me his mechanic wants to do a compression check on it! I'm like, WTF? For 300 bucks I'm not going to let someone come and take my engine apart to check the compression. I told him if he were to buy from a junk yard they sure as hell wouldn't allow them to do that.

On top of all that, there is absolutely NO reason to suspect a weak cylinder in the first place. The motor runs perfect and smooth. I just don't understand some people

edit: The motor is still in the car and running and driving, so I'm not sure what a compression check is going reveal.

 

[revhead347]

The mechanic is just being protective. He doesn't have to take it apart to run a compression test, just remove the spark plugs and hook up a compression tool. It shouldn't take long at all. If that makes him more confident with the purchase, I'd let him do it.

Kurt

 

[VibrantRedGT]

If I were buying a motor I'd check it too. Remember how much work is involved if they install the motor and something isn't right. They have to tear down the motor again. It would cost the buyer a fortune in labor. This guy doesn't know your motors past. His mechanic gave him sound advice. You don't have to do anything but watch.

 

[95BlueStallion]

I cant say I blame the buyer for being cautious. Yeah, its a bit of a hassle for you, but also covers your butt when he tries to get his money back later saying there was a problem with the engine.

 

[99FiveOh]

The point is the motor is in the car right now and is running, it can be test driven. I'm not going to risk someone pulling all my plugs out of the car to check compression when it's running properly. If the motor was out of the car and sitting on the ground then I'd be perfectly ok with this, but there is NO reason to check compression on an engine with zero problems.

And it's not like this is some kind of $4k built engine, it's a little ole V6 it either runs or it doesn't. No smoke, no noises, no reason to suspect it has low compression among so many other concerns. I'll pass....

 

[Adam95GT]

Not uncommon i always check when i can epically 4cyl cars.

Its a good way to figure out whats up with it... Just tell them you break it you buy it.

how much are you asking for the motor.... if its $100 i wouldnt waste the time... but if your asking average or above then let them check to ensure the sale...

 

[99FiveOh]

300 bucks. "It's a good way to figure out what's up with it" That's just it, there isn't anything up with it. He heard it run, watched the motor running and I offered him to take it for a drive but he declined.

How are you going to request a compression check when you refused to even test drive the car. To me a running engine says much more than a compression check on an engine that's already removed. But that's ok. Let him go to a junkyard and "maybe" do a compression check on a motor he won't hear run until it's in the car. Good compression doesn't mean everything else is good, know what I mean vern?

 

[BlackVert]

Dude, chill. A compression test is NOT dangerous in any way. It is simply a way to verify that all the cylinders are OK. And frankly, the way you are acting about it could very well make him think that there is a problem and are tyring to keep him from finding out about it.

Do you want to sell the motor or not?

The test can be done in your driveway, it doesn't have to be taken anywhere.

 

[99FiveOh]

I don't want to sell it "that bad" because well, I still have to pull the motor out, which I'm not really in a hurry for. So it's one of those things where if I do I do, if I don't I don't.

I've had the car for about 2 months now so even I don't know it's history. All I do know is it runs good and I won't need it much longer.

And things can go wrong while pulling plugs and checking the compression. His mechanic could be a complete dumbass and break some of my plugs while taking them off/putting them on. He can end up pulling the plug wires out of the terminal while trying to pull the boots off the plugs. All kinds of things when you really think about it. Nothing is just "simple". And do you think they'd really offer to pay for what they break? Seriously doubt it.

doesn't matter anyway, I politely told him that I would pass on the opportunity to sell it pending a compression test. I drive this car everyday and until I take it off the road to swap the motor, I'll be damned if I'll let someone I don't even know start wrenching on it.

 

[Venom351R]

Your over reacting to much it's not uncommon for anyone to do a compression check when buying a used engine. It's a buyer beware market bc a lot of people are trying to pawn off junk for extra money. Plus if he does
Not buy it you will have verification on the cylinder compression for the next guy. It's a win win for you and your acting like it's a burden

 

[99FiveOh]

Not really, you think the "next guy" will take my word about the compression test? lol

 

[Bullitt95]

And things can go wrong while pulling plugs and checking the compression. His mechanic could be a complete dumbass and break some of my plugs while taking them off/putting them on. He can end up pulling the plug wires out of the terminal while trying to pull the boots off the plugs. All kinds of things when you really think about it. Nothing is just "simple". And do you think they'd really offer to pay for what they break? Seriously doubt it.

Not really, you think the "next guy" will take my word about the compression test? lol

Good points. If the engine's running fine and the buyer can test drive the car with the engine in it, why risk having some grease monkey you don't even know wrenching on your car? It's a cheap $300 stock motor, not a $6000 built unit.

 

[revhead347]

Not really, you think the "next guy" will take my word about the compression test? lol

Do you have a little camera that can shoot low res video or something like that. If he's going to do a compression test, you can video it for the next guy. Hell if I was selling an engine, I would probably do a compression test myself as a selling point.

Kurt

 

[99FiveOh]

Good points. If the engine's running fine and the buyer can test drive the car with the engine in it, why risk having some grease monkey you don't even know wrenching on your car? It's a cheap $300 stock motor, not a $6000 built unit.

Exactly! Matter of fact, I just called a well known salvage yard local to me and inquired about a 99 3.8 Mustang engine. First thing is, they want like 700.00 for it, no accessories. I asked him if I could do a compression test on it and he laughed at me, seriously. I would have taken offense if I was actually shopping for a motor, but I didn't want to start $hit on the phone.

He said it was running when it came out and it comes with a 30 day exchange warranty. yadda yadda.

Since I was polite to the guy, I didn't burn my bridge and I just texted him and told him I would allow a compression test so long as nothing got damaged. He said he'll arrange it. I will take Kurt's advice and video the results in case he decides not to take the motor.

 

[revhead347]

There's something to be said about the warranty too. You might give the buyer a 30 day money back on the engine too. I mean, what are the odds of it going bad in 30 days, and even if it does, you are out $300 and you get the engine back. You can probably tear that engine down and core it out and still get $300.

Kurt

 

[FastDriver]

haha... I agree with you. This guy is being a douche. If I were you I'd tell him to put the money in my hand, and then I'd let him watch me do the check IN MY DRIVEWAY. I wouldn't just let the guy string it out just to turn it down because he doesn't have the money.

 

[BlackVert]

good point fastdriver.

but if you are driving it now, then maybe it's a little too early to yank the motor out.

it's kinda hard to drive it without the motor .... just sayin

 

[99FiveOh]

But it's very easy to drive it with the 5.0 sitting on a stand in my shop. Point is, if I sell it then I MUST pull it out which will jump start this project, otherwise I'm going to drag my ass on it like I'm doing right now! lol

 

[j_lutter31]

Glad to see you calmed the heck down and will allow the compression check. Don't get your panties in a bunch because he wants to protect himself. I know you said it runs and drives fine, but its not very fricken hard to pull the plugs out. If you don't want some grease ball working on your car, turn the wrenches yourself. Tell the guy you don't have a tester, doesn't want someone else working on it, but you would be happy to if he brought the tool.

Heck, you could even say 350 with the test, 300 as is. But you don't have to be a prick about it.

I know, I know....I shouldn't even reply to this thread, but I think you really need to read what I have to say.

 

[FastDriver]

What's this about pulling the motor... I wouldn't unless it's really what you want to do anyway. People get a warm and fuzzy and you'll probably sell it faster with it running and driving. Absolutely no need to pull it for the compression check.

Chris