How NOT to buy a wrecker engine

Part 1:
150K 07 MZ3 -- So quest was do I pull the existing (fixed now but) broke motor or wreckers..........?
In the days before Cov'd.. ebay photos of search term >engines for sale<.... (see where this is going)
break down to closest, 70 miles...your friendly no name one owner wrecker yard posted front pic of right corner smashed, hood partial compression. Same year /mileage
Call up...we arent really open...hint hint call first and then we will open gate.....like where this is going!
Take a look hood up (sorry first no pics, I hate storage of thousands of pics that in a year would be forgotten
(bad memories) nice cp-e TMIC (bells !!!) SCORE 1 for the buyer...right?
Wont allow under side lookie, or pull first..... What a idiot I was.....
Make a deal verbally its a guaranteed running engine and working tranny pull from same year $1200 cash up front. (((((looking at 20% restocking fee Notice posted on wall)))) See above for, looking back........Damit

show back up with pickup----->> friday end of week, closing in a 1/2 hr << how dam dumb was I>>
on pallet, strapped so-so. Looking ok....no TMIC of course, Damn! Owner not here, Im just letting you pick
up engine/tranny assy~~~~~~~Onward home with music in my ears ~~~~~~~~~

2 hours daylight left so picker off pick-up WHAT!!!! oil leaking from engine oil pan right rear back corner??? Just hanging off arm rotisserie style, look closer... Oil was removed before pull, yes I checked was fine and proper level at yard....ITS FREAKING CRACKED OIL PAN..... obviously frame rail pinched
engine on crash damage....see above verbally a good runner???!!!!!!!
more in a second...

 

Part 2
So looking closer.....yes crack is in corner of pan... odd this oil pan is different (klang klang) damit
No "sheet metal" screwed on panel on this puppy...... Hummmmm (CX7 Core cheap rebuild?)
TB valve positioner electrical connector is snapped off!!!!!!
now at this point.... Do I return period ? The pricing is good if the tranny is good, engine still looking like will run well?
So Inspection time since it's a friday night and will need to assess IS IT WORTH IT?
Drop-- pull plugs -- Bore Scope Time -- Holes show three piston heads normal ~~ burn patterns ~~ one piston is BRAND NEW LOOKING
Damit again.. This is gotta be a remanf CHEAP core replacement....
Continue on with is it Crack Pipe or worth it?
Add oil, handy spare battery/cables/ started soleniod turn over compress check......DAMN IT.......50, 45, 165, 155 ??????!!!!!!!
OK now, blow down tests show........ one hole is weird large loss, shocker the new looking piston crown.
Do I continue? step back and decided....NO PULL OUT FAST
Continued

 

Part 3
Back on truck, very late friday night. Call and leave message on recorder....this is a problem......
Don't drink or smoke any more... I am 63 and retired so the straight life to allow kids to enjoy my excellent retirement,
which means once I"m dead thats it. So live large, live LONG is the motto.
Call up Saturday, I need to return this......ahum... Only the owner can do any thing, he will be around some time in afternoon
($cash remember$)
Finally show back up Saturday and owner finally drives up...... Explain Story (see above--damit-- in the back of my mind)
Go round and round and round and round. While the owner is talking up a story about, well it was sitting for a year and I know it's
worth a lot more than the 1200 we agreed on. i don't want to drop price down to a (mutually bargined...by me) $900
So while we are chatting...Lets let shop guy see if its just the rings need setting..... so hour in parking lot cooling my jets....
Waves me in, not a good sign is it
Takes me back to the dirt floor disassembly area...getting better right?
Shop kid is using jumper cables and a ARC WELDER STYLE 50 year old bulk super high rate charger. Engine wiring harness and Ecu complete, still connected... Holy Shit I can't believe this
Continued

 

Part 4 (closing credits)
Turning over engine sparks fly off starter main terminal engine is puking oil out of all four holes...A kicked around no name compression tester THAT has seen more better days. At least a quick disconnect style. Kid....well I got more compression from breaking loose the rings
90,95,165,155 really????? what about the two off holes? Naw it just needs to be warmed up. So Of course to OWNER I explain the hole
with lowest compression...shocker is the new piston crown one. WHATS UP!!!
Damn it. So round and round we go and the Dude will not budge....
No refunds, see posted notice ? Of course... 20 % restocking fee... So we continue I want 10% back and keep. A compromise yes.
I'm still think at least if tranny is good...looking like not.....if this is the rest....maybe ok price.
He won't budge... So I SAY I WANT MY MONEY BACK.... he retreats, do you have receipt? Of Course. You know thats 20%? right?
I have at this point cut my losses and frustrations and get the hell out of here with as much as possible from this nest of shit...
I walk out and get it, no owner at front counter... Just the kid looking like he was the failure, so we chat softly a little
(you see my point right, this won't run. Yea but he's the owner and I want my job....I knew and said Thanks to only him for the Quick pull job)
Walk away with 1200 - 20% but believe me much the wiser....
---return to the hooning pulls --- on the road with another short story /soon/
Thanks for reading my sad story!

 

Woof, what a pain in the ass. It's always tricky with these motors to find one that has not been beat to shit.

 

Oh man sorry about your luck week atleast you're only out $240 and a whole bunch of time could certainly be worse although that's 240 bucks I'd rather have in my pocket. Hopefully next engine is good. Explains why they didn't want you to look under.