prospective lorry dripping oil - OK or stupid?

E

Eceni

Well-Known Member
Joined
20 February 2007
Messages
515
Location
Shropshire
Visit site
Hi all

I'm off to look at a 2nd hand Renault Master (mark i) horse box. It's in good nick with a low mileage - BUT it drips 'a small amount' of oil. The current owner tops it up now and again and has taken the view that it's not worth the hassle of trying to find the leak and fix it.

I know nothing about engines and have no-one around who is likely to be able to fix it so I'll be on my own.

Should I avoid like the plague or is a minimal oil drip nothing to worry about?

ta

E
 
My lorry has had a vey slow oil leak for the past 10 years and its fine - however I guess it depends on where the leak is.
 
I don't know anything about cars/lorries but leaking oil would definitely ring alarm bells to me.....maybe you could call the AA or someone and ask them.
 
Personally, unless I knew a very good mechanic I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. If the seller thinks it is significant enough to mention it, I doubt it is a small leak!
 
Good point... I'll go and have a look at it and see how it looks... and then look at the length of my barge pole..


smile.gif


ta

E
 
When I was half thinking of selling mine I did mention it - but it uses probably 2 litres of oil a year which is nothing. Ask them how often it needs topping up and long a bottle lasts
 
I would want to know where it was coming from you don't won't it to be coming from cylinder head !Knew someone who sold one like this.It apperently was ok for trial but blew when new owner not long after they got it home.
 
The trouble with oil leaks is that they get worse. Probably a sign of a gasket wearing. It is the cost of taking everything apart. If you get a mechanic to check it over make sure he also checks the gear box for you as Renaultmasters do suffer from gearbox problems.
 
I asked my oh whos a transporter, his reply is to take someone with you who knows about engines, preferably a mechanic. Oil leaks can be serious and shouldnt be happening anyway if the truck is being looked after properly. The current owner may not be bothered but I would. If you cant get someone to go and have a look then I'd steer clear. Mairi.
 
My transit leaked oil for years and was never a problem, however, when it went for it's final MOT the tester said as a rough guide if it leaves a puddle bigger than a couple of inches across after say 30 minutes standing it will certainly fail.

Oil leaks are difficult to cure in older vehicles and once youve sorted one it usually comes out somewhere else!

A tame mechanic shouldnt charge too much to give it the once over, I'd say £50 would be well spent.
 
Thanks all...

can't rustle up a tame mechanic by tomorrow and someone else is looking at it after me so may have to let it go - but better than having to replace an engine somewhere soon down the line

thanks to all who know about such things

E
 
I take back all I said about Marlborough conversions - they're exceptionally good....

not sure this is the one for me, but if I get a box, will definitely get a Marlborough

(and it needs 250ml of oil a year, so probably not a serious problem)

E
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top