Milky engine oil

[emptyjay]

Looked at buying a 20 year old Mahindra today that had really low hours (less than 300). Generally looked and sounded good except the engine oil was milky both while cold and also after running for a while. No smoke except a little bit starting up. Afraid the oil might signify a cracked head gasket or some other major issue although the seller says he thinks it's just condensation from sitting for a long time. The asking price is probably what the tractor is worth, but not a fantastic deal or anything. Would you guys take the risk?

 

[Tomtint]

....Pass

 

[grsthegreat]

Hard to say. I know an engine sitting for long periods can get milky looking oil. May take hours of high rpm running to clean it up. But it may also indicate no routine maintenance done. I would never let my oil get like that. Probably id pass also.

 

[Hay Dude]

Ask seller to change oil and filter. Ask if you can run tractor a while and then send recently changed oil in for analysis

 

[RickB]

Hard pass.

 

[Peter 315]

Its a 50/50 shot , How much money can you afford to lose....

 

[stingray1]

Run! Unless it’s free.

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

Even if the asking price was deeply discounted, I would pass.

Just way too many options out there to put up with this garbage. You'd think a guy trying to sell something would put in some effort to get it into it's best condition possible before the sale. The fact that *this* is it's "best condition" speaks volumes about the equipment, and the guy owning/running it.

 

[rademamj1]

Pass. You don't need the headaches.

 

[mcfarmall]

Even if the asking price was deeply discounted, I would pass.

Just way too many options out there to put up with this garbage. You'd think a guy trying to sell something would put in some effort to get it into it's best condition possible before the sale. The fact that *this* is it's "best condition" speaks volumes about the equipment, and the guy owning/running it.

Excellent point! It always amazes me what little preparation people do in getting something ready to sell. They put up a piece in crappy condition and then want top dollar.