Just got hit by the "head gasket scam"

[brages]

I decided to put my minivan up for sale. I had a reply within minutes. The guy showed up with three of his friends (this should have put me on my guard).

While I was finishing clearing snow from behind the van, I noticed the hood was up. Didn't think much of it, I mean I always look under the hood. Rode with guy on a short test ride. Afterwards, he kept trying to get me to give a price but I told him to make an offer.

Then, one of the friends kept trying to point out oil leaks. Ok, there's some power steering fluid seeping around the pump; it's a fifteen year old car with a quarter million miles. Then finally, he opened the overflow tank and showed me the brown milkshake inside.

I had seen this scam before on YouTube. One of the guys had put oil in the coolant overflow tank when I was occupied clearing snow behind the car. Then, they were going to try to low-ball me because it "needed a new head gasket". I immediately and firmly told them to leave, and they did.

I'm going to be a lot more careful in the future!

I drained the radiator (all the coolant drained out clean) and removed the overflow (which is a hassle on this van) and cleaned it out. There really wasn't much oil even in the overflow tank. I think it was just sitting on top. So it was less of a disaster than I was expecting.

 

[benjamming]

As an aside, you should have a price listed.

 

[burbguy82]

what trash!

 

[SammyChevelleTypeS3]

Some will try to get away with just about anything. Three guys (total strangers) showing up would have put me on guard. Glad it did not escalate to something worse for you.

 

[GON]

Sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for posting about this- something I was not aware of. Seems like multiple steps/ actions may be required to be protected from this scam/con. Some actions may include pictures prior to arrival and uploaded to email, sealing/ tamper tapes over coolant reservoir, oil cap, etc.

 

[dishdude]

I got hit by this in reverse, about 15 years ago went to look at a high mileage but nice condition S-10 with the 2.2. Popped the hood and immediately noticed a brand new radiator. Started it up and as I'm chatting with the seller that clearly had knowledge of engines, I see the bubbles popping up in the overflow bottle as the engine warmed up. Didn't even bother to say anything just got out of there. Wanted to ask him how long the old rad had been leaking.

 

[brages]

As an aside, you should have a price listed.

I did list a price, but buyers often try to get you to go lower without them providing a counter offer. I won't do that unless I'm starting to feel desperate.

 

[brages]

Sorry this happened to you.

Thanks for posting about this- something I was not aware of. Seems like multiple steps/ actions may be required to be protected from this scam/con. Some actions may include pictures prior to arrival and uploaded to email, sealing/ tamper tapes over coolant reservoir, oil cap, etc.

I think the best protection is to have another person (ideally a burly one) to keep an eye on things in case you are distracted. And to be smarter and less trusting than I was.

I have heard they will do other things like squirting oil up the tailpipe to make the car smoke or disconnecting the EGR so it runs poorly or just splashing oil on the engine to look like a leak or make it smoke.

 

[GON]

I listed on Facebook Marketplace. I think the scammer has already deleted his account.

Started to informally do some research on this.

I suspect numerous felony charges could be placed on the suspects, but would require proof by you, such as pictures prior to the suspects actions, etc. Here is one potential charge :

Criminal damage to property
Criminal damage to property can be divided into degrees. For example, second degree criminal damage to property is a felony that can result in a fine of $3,000 and one year and one day in prison.

 

[02SE]

I would strongly suggest not inviting strangers to your home in the future. You never know if you'll get scumbags like those three, who were also likely casing the place.

If I sell something, I sell only to people I know, or a Dealer.

If I ever considered selling to some stranger off of an Online marketplace, The sale would only happen at the local police department building that has a spot complete with lots of cameras, and officers always in the building, set up specifically for such transactions.

 

[CKN]

Don't know if spraying oil in a reservoir would rise to the level of Criminal Property damage. I suspect both Law Enforcement and the Courts systems have bigger fish to fry.
Then of course the OP would be tasked to testify-which would far exceed the cost of a gallon of anti freeze with the time, parking, and fuel, etc., involved.
Then of course once they get fined/jailed-they know where you live.......
So yea-just be more careful.

 

[GON]

I did list a price, but buyers often try to get you to go lower without them providing a counter offer. I won't do that unless I'm starting to feel desperate.

The art of negotiating states that who gives the first price loses in the negotiation.

 

[MCompact]

Don't know if spraying oil in a reservoir would rise to the level of Criminal Property damage. I suspect both Law Enforcement and the Courts systems have bigger fish to fry.
Then of course the OP would be tasked to testify-which would far exceed the cost of a gallon of anti freeze with the time, parking, and fuel, etc., involved.
Then of course once they get fined/jailed-they know where you live.......
So yea-just be more careful.

Based on my 34 years of experience on both sides of the bench I would agree.

 

[daves87rs]

It’s only going to get worse, as people get more desperate

 

[JavierH19]

Just plain unbelievable.

 

[4WD]

I would strongly suggest not inviting strangers to your home in the future. You never know if you'll get scumbags like those three, who were also likely casing the place.

If I sell something, I sell only to people I know, or a Dealer.

If I ever considered selling to some stranger off of an Online marketplace, The sale would only happen at the local police department building that has a spot complete with lots of cameras, and officers always in the building, set up specifically for such transactions.

Yeah, I have traded several vehicles knowing I’m not getting the best price - but don’t want creeps to set foot on my property …

 

[Jetronic]

meet potential buyers at a car park, and show the overflow tank to be clean first thing. they can't use the scam anymore and don't have your adress.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Thanks for sharing your experience. What a bunch of deadbeats. I’d like to give their leader a “Shawinigan Handshake.”. It’s a Canadian thing. Google it if you have some time.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

meet potential buyers at a car park, and show the overflow tank to be clean first thing. they can't use the scam anymore and don't have your adress.

Walmart parking lots may work, plus with the plethora of video cameras, they would likely comply if your lawyer sent them a request for a very short, specific clip since you know when the meeting was.

Another idea would be to place a GoPro or similar recording device under the hood on a magnetic base, or inside the car at the base of the dash if there is a clear view of the engine bay under the rear edge of the hood.

It never, EVER hurts to ask a buddy to accompany you to things like this.

 

[Jetronic]

Walmart parking lots may work, plus with the plethora of video cameras, they would likely comply if your lawyer sent them a request for a very short, specific clip since you know when the meeting was.

Another idea would be to place a GoPro or similar recording device under the hood on a magnetic base, or inside the car at the base of the dash if there is a clear view of the engine bay under the rear edge of the hood.

It never, EVER hurts to ask a buddy to accompany you to things like this.

and, you can pick a public place, which might be more safe when dealing with significant amounts of money. Depends how isolated you live.