97 lumina fuel smell from engine oil

[decollect]

Howdy folks. Still running the '97 that I found on Ebay. Runs so nice, I'm looking at another one. Found yet another former police Lumina, also a '97, and white like the one I bought a few months ago. Haven't purchased it yet, and had a question. Vehicle is showing 53k on the odometer, engine sounds nice and tight and I'll probably go take it for a spin around the block tomorrow before making final decision. Question. I have noticed a fuel smell from the engine oil when I checked it today when I looked at the car. Oil was about a quart overfull, still fairly viscous but smelled like fuel. Last time I smelled fuel in the oil was when they were still putting mechanical fuel pumps on the side of the engine block (circa 1970 Chevy 350).

I know when the intake gaskets go, it throws oil in the water and vice versa, but does it also throw fuel in the oil as well? I'm hoping that the stronger than normal fuel smell is just from sitting as I know the car's been sitting for at least 2 months for sale.

By the by, the fella only wants 1800 negotiable for this little beastie and everything else seems to work just dandy. All the power goodies work and the A/C works nice too. I'm sure I can get him down to 1500. body is fair, no dents but a few scratches. Some will buff, others will need touching but, what the hey. Whaddya want for 1800 bux with less than 54k on the odometer?

[jeffcoslacker]

The only time I've ever seen fuel in oil on a FI motor was from a situation where the injection wouldn't stop when the car was shut off, and that was an old Datsun 240Z. I don't think that would be possible now, the injection needs a trigger signal to work, but I suppose if an injector(s) were leaking after shut-off, it could eventually work past the rings and start to build in the oil.

If that oil looked new, it might be more likely that someone put some kind of flush or solvent in it to try to stop a lifter noise or something. I'd ask them, even though you probably won't get a straight answer, you could see if it makes them nervous that you asked.

Seems like a good price for that car, I think Kelly private party value is around $2500+ or so for that car.

[decollect]

Nah, the oil looked like it's been in there for a little bit. Nothing really ugly, but darker brown than I let my oil normally get. But that's me, I'm anal like that. Well, if the rest of the car checks out, and if I can get him ANY below my target of 1500, I think I'll take a chance on it. I can change the oil and keep a close eye on it. If it's a problem that I don't want to deal with it, low mile cars go for nice bucks down here at the local auctions. I'm certain I won't lose money on the deal. Might end up with a pair of really nice, matching '97 Lumina's. Just one with an A-pillar spotlight (the prospective one) and one without. Hell, I might get an excuse to do all that fun night time stuff that the locals do down here, deer spotting and what. hehehehe NOT!

[decollect]

Oh, and another thought. Apparently, according to the paperwork I got to glance at when I looked @ the car today, the guy bought this and 9 others at a Government Auction about 3 months ago. That checks out 'cause I've been driving by this car for 2 months and a white Crown Vic that he had parked beside it (another obvious former cop car) just went away the other day. Seems the local constabulatory got on his case for running an unlicensed used car lot so "this last one has to go". Hey, it's a nice story he's coming up with anyway. If nothing else, horsetrading cars ALWAYS gives ya a good story.

[jeffcoslacker]

Originally Posted by decollect

Oh, and another thought. Apparently, according to the paperwork I got to glance at when I looked @ the car today, the guy bought this and 9 others at a Government Auction about 3 months ago. That checks out 'cause I've been driving by this car for 2 months and a white Crown Vic that he had parked beside it (another obvious former cop car) just went away the other day. Seems the local constabulatory got on his case for running an unlicensed used car lot so "this last one has to go". Hey, it's a nice story he's coming up with anyway. If nothing else, horsetrading cars ALWAYS gives ya a good story.

Yeah, they seem like pretty good buys, I was looking at a 2003 Impala police special, 3.8, all the HD goodies (big alternator, 4 whl disc, etc) with 53,000 on it, former Washington University campus police car, $4995! I was very tempted.

My father in law bought a '03 Crown Vic from the Tampa PD with 100K on it for less than $5000, and it's been a really good car (nice looking, and fast as hell, too)

[decollect]

I'll see if I can upload a pic or 2. Love the look of your wheels. Did you by chance lower that puppy? Or is it the wheels and camera angle? Either way, most nice look you got goin'.
yah, for 1500 or so I'm thinkin' I can't go very wrong, even if it does need the infamous intake gasket. Might just give me an excuse to learn to do bodywork a bit better. Body on the "prospective" is a tad rougher than my first '97. Just hopin' it's still there by the time my money gets right for it.