Weird Engine Failure and replacement

[danix]

This is a really weird one.
My car has (had) 62k miles, 2006 Touring 5 speed. Very well maintained, regular oil changes with synth or semi-synth.

A week ago Monday I sold it to the first person to respond to my ad, and had two others as backup.

A week later, got a call and email from him saying that the engine had died. Mechanic checked and there was no oil, so they put 4 quarts in it. It ran but was noisy and had no power. Another mechanic diagnoses spun bearing from lack of oil.

I am told the engine shows no visible leaks. I had tested compression a couple of months ago, all numbers were good and even. It has not used much oil in the past, so whatever oil consumption developed happened out of the blue.

There are similar threads on here (mostly for the Mazda3).

So...

• Have you ever seen anything like this happen?
• Where did the oil go?!?
• If you were in my shoes, would you help with repair costs? I already offered the buyer $500, my wife thinks I'm crazy. Seller would like me to split the repair costs to the tune of $2500.
• Suggestions on where to find a used engine for 2.3l 5 speed?
• Check your oil every fillup!

 

[chief_wiggum]

The car was sold 'as is' with no written or implied warranty, right? Then no, I wouldn't offer money; empathy, but not money. You have no idea what they, or anyone else did to it when it left your house. Sounds fishy to me.

 

[rodslinger]

This is a really weird one.
My car has (had) 62k miles, 2006 Touring 5 speed. Very well maintained, regular oil changes with synth or semi-synth.

A week ago Monday I sold it to the first person to respond to my ad, and had two others as backup.

A week later, got a call and email from him saying that the engine had died. Mechanic checked and there was no oil, so they put 4 quarts in it. It ran but was noisy and had no power. Another mechanic diagnoses spun bearing from lack of oil.

I am told the engine shows no visible leaks. I had tested compression a couple of months ago, all numbers were good and even. It has not used much oil in the past, so whatever oil consumption developed happened out of the blue.

There are similar threads on here (mostly for the Mazda3).

So...

• Have you ever seen anything like this happen?
• Where did the oil go?!?
• If you were in my shoes, would you help with repair costs? I already offered the buyer $500, my wife thinks I'm crazy. Seller would like me to split the repair costs to the tune of $2500.
• Suggestions on where to find a used engine for 2.3l 5 speed?
• Check your oil every fillup!

You didn't offer a warranty. I would rescind your offer to help with the repair. Move along and don't look back. They need to know how to check their own oil also.

 

[mazdadude]

This is a really weird one.
My car has (had) 62k miles, 2006 Touring 5 speed. Very well maintained, regular oil changes with synth or semi-synth.

A week ago Monday I sold it to the first person to respond to my ad, and had two others as backup.

A week later, got a call and email from him saying that the engine had died. Mechanic checked and there was no oil, so they put 4 quarts in it. It ran but was noisy and had no power. Another mechanic diagnoses spun bearing from lack of oil.

I am told the engine shows no visible leaks. I had tested compression a couple of months ago, all numbers were good and even. It has not used much oil in the past, so whatever oil consumption developed happened out of the blue.

There are similar threads on here (mostly for the Mazda3).

So...

• Have you ever seen anything like this happen?
• Where did the oil go?!?
• If you were in my shoes, would you help with repair costs? I already offered the buyer $500, my wife thinks I'm crazy. Seller would like me to split the repair costs to the tune of $2500.
• Suggestions on where to find a used engine for 2.3l 5 speed?
• Check your oil every fillup!

I would ask the last mechanic/dealer/person who did the oil change before you sold it... Sounds like it never got refilled>?

 

[DougNuts]

They are on their own. Have you seen/heard this engine, or just going by what they are telling you? When I buy a car, I check the oil before going on the test drive, they should've done the same.

Also, how do you know they didn't spin the bearing and then drain the oil before taking it to their mechanic?

Edit: Furthermore, I wouldn't trust anyone who supposedly has to take their car to a mechanic to find out that it's 4 quarts low on oil.

 

[Vasy]

I had similar situation before. Put a new clutch, drove for 6 month all was good, sold the car.
Guy calls maybe 2 weeks later, says car broke down, clutch is gone.
I just suggested him to talk to the shop that did repairs and that I can offer any more help.
Clutch was good on sale, he did the inspection, after that it is his issue.

 

[Davicho]

Yup SOLD-AS-IS! My dad sold his Frontier in perfect working condition. A week later the dude calls back saying that it started to have issues and took it to the Nissan dealer. Dealer said it needed a new ECM. He tried to b**** out my Dad. I got on the phone and told him in a nut shell. Truck was sold as is and in perfect running condition. Look at your contract I typed that you signed. Too bad you're on your own. He never called back again.

 

[hibern8r]

I wouldn't even give him the $500 if I knew I sold him a reliable car with no issues and if it did have any, I disclosed them to the buyer prior to his purchase. I've sold all my previous vehicles including one on eBay. I always write out a sales receipt that terminates my responsibility for it and also states vehicle is sold with no warranty given, nor implied. My guess is, if the engine was so rough that it would die in a week he would not have bought it. You have no idea what he did to it in the week that he had it. Your wife is right. Hold the $$$!!!

 

[thaxman]

I concur - did the buyer not get the car checked out?

As for you, did you verify there was sufficient oil in it when you put it up for sale? I assume you did a pre-sale inspection of it to get it ready so you could get highest dollar. I also realize many people don't, but I'd venture most don't belong to car forums.

Perhaps he got an oil change after purchase, and the shop didn't refill? Oil doesn't just disappear like an episode of I Dream of Jeannie.

 

[Wishmaster]

If he bought a 7 year old car, via private sale, without a third party inspection, he sounds a little dim. You do not owe him anything, it sounds like you took good care of the vehicle.

My take on the matter.... If he's like most people who buy a new used car (and like me), he was probably tinkering with his new toy... maybe changed his own oil, maybe had it changed, maybe had a few boys over to give it a tune up while downing a few beers... either way, he or they forgot to put oil back in.

He knows this, but since he just bought it, he's trying to pin the blame on you. Don't fall for it, please. Do not give him anything. It does suck and we all feel for him (in varying degrees), but it was solely his mistake.

 

[Vasy]

Buy a car, drive home, hit a rock, loose oil... who knows the story.
I just bought a car (not mazda) that this exact story happen to the previous owner, they did not even bother stopping when the oil light came on.

 

[danix]

Thanks guys. I've done most of the maintenance on the car.
Did I check the oil before I sold it? No, not in that week or so (I did spend 6+ hrs detailing it and fixing the sliding door locks though).
Yes, something fishy. Even the replacement route he is taking is stupid ($3k for a used engine plus parts and labor?)

Yup, used car sales are as is, no warranty. I offered that he could have it inspected anywhere he liked, he didn't pursue that.
And he came to see it at night.
And he didn't verify the presale condition before getting a loan from the bank (I even asked if he wanted to).

I'm regretting offering the $500 but if he can provide proof of engine replacement (the serial number should be different), then I will honor my word.

 

[thaxman]

I'm regretting offering the $500 but if he can provide proof of engine replacement (the serial number should be different), then I will honor my word.

And you want to see the old block opened up sitting on a tire in the back of the van.