oil leak on a car I'm looking at?

Question

I am looking at purchasing a 1995 mustang. The car runs great, no slips in the transmission, no smoke, no burning oil smell, nothing bad that I can note of. We noticed that there was a small oil spot on the ground where the car was parked.

Is it something to be overly concerned about?

Answer 1

before you buy, take it to a garage and have a safty or pre purchas insepction preforemed, and have them take a look at that at the same time. Its impossible to tell you without looking at it. I've done this with all my cars. I will buy them ONLY if an inspection is preformed, if passed, I'll buy the car and pay for the inspection, if it is a fail, then the owner keeps the inspection and pays for it. its easy security, you'll only be adding another $100 or so to the bill. worth the piece of mind. Beter to have it looked at professionally, then have opinions. Who knows it could have been there from the car before it.

Answer 2

Yeah, get the keys for a test drive and take it to a mechanic (even if the salesperson is w/ you) to diagnose the problem for you, and spend twenty or forty bucks on it if you have to. When the problem is found, tell the salesperson you'll buy it if the dealership will pay to have it fixed. Do not accept an offer of them taking the price of the repair off the price of the car; you don't want a car that leaks oil from the get go. I mean it may not be engine oil. It could be transmission fluid or power steering fluid or antifreeze...

Answer 3

In my experience, I would never buy another vehicle with an oil leak or anything that looks like it's not too bad at the time. Tranny wasn't slipping, no smoke and never smelt of burnt oil..When I bought my car, there was a small, minute oil leak, same thing, where it was parked. Tranny wasn't slipping, no smoke and never smelt of burnt oil.. I figured it would be nothing, get it fixed for little bit of money... It turned out to be over $3000 worth of damage, one thing lead to the next and the next, and the next, and yes, you guessed it... Im walking again. So in my opinion, I would advise against... but if you do have the money, go hard.

Answer 4

Yes, it could be a major problem. Best to take it to a mechanic; sometimes when you advise a mechanic that you are considering purchasing the vehicle he will look at it for free or very cheap. It could also be a stripped oil drain bolt, oil pan gasket, main rear seal leak or maybe blow-bi from a oil pump going out or main head bolts broken and/or lose. I hate buying used cars from someone I don't. There's a reason why he/she is selling the vehicle. If they say nothing is wrong with it, try and get them to sign a 30 day 1500 mile return warranty. If they say no than you know something is wrong. Get it Checked out!!!!!!

Answer 5

i own a repair shop,and i would be a little concerned about it,a small oil leak can cost a lot to repair,especially if its coming from a rear main seal or a front transmission seal on either these you have to either pull the motor or the transmission to repair it,so id look in to it a little better,its probably a really good deal on it,but take in to consideration how much it may take to repair it,ans see if they will take less money for it,then it will be a good deal other wise you may wind up with more in it than you really want to have,that's real easy to do with today's labor and parts cost,id take it and have it put on a lift ,and see where its coming from,it maybe a simple gasket or a oil sending unit,that would be simple to repair,but keep in mind how much this could cost,an easy few hundred to repair,good luck i hope this helps.

Answer 6

Not overly concerned. Have it checked out. Oil spots on the ground are all over, it could have been from the car that was parked there before. (Notice that the next time you're at a parking lot). Just have it checked out by a certified mechanic.

Answer 7

oil leaks can be a major problem or only a minor one, depending on where the come from. For instance if the leak is coming from one of the valve covers or the oil pan, minor problem. However if the leak is coming from the rear or front main seal, you are looking at costly labor repairs.

Answer 8

ability WASH the engine and understand that oil leaks can start up from the genuine of the engine and run down! maximum oil leaks come from the OIL stress change, the VALVE hide gaskets or the OIL PAN itself! a reliable ability WASH will exhibit more suitable about the position the leak is coming from! <<>> on the variety, make, engine length u . s . of starting place and vehicle MAKER! many engines like older GM engines sued RTV sealant quite of genuine gaskets for cheapness sake. regardless of the truth that you're driving< a reliable ability WASH will exhibit each little thing for you! reliable luck and use a reliable MOTOR FLUSH and man made OI LInstead of inexpensive good deal basement oil adjustments for $twenty!!!

Answer 9

its most likely an oil pan leak, if it is then its not really anything to be to concerned about. if you have the money then i would recommend getting it fixed. it could be just the cap is screwed on wrong when they or you got your last oil change. good luck

Answer 10

its nothing to be concerned about now but if i were you i would find out about it and get it fixed as soon as ya can, i mean it cant get better by itself and i doubt it will stay the same with you driving it, so i would fix it before it becomes an even bigger problem.