What would you do with this?

 

Drive it.

 

Leave it or consider filing an insurance claim if it was from hitting/driving over something.

 

Let me clarify. It's a car I'm thinking about buying. Not sure how big of an issue that will become...

 

Tis but a scratch!

 

That car could have been rear ended pushing the motor forward and tearing off the stop piece there. He could have ran something over too I suppose. Depending on what caused it there could be other issues to be aware of like a bent transmission mount or frame. From a performance perspective it shouldn't affect the car as long as it doesn't leak. It looks like there is sealant or epoxy or something holding the oil in. I'd want a good discount if you do buy it.

 

As a purchase it is vastly different. When you go to sell, this will be an issue that may come up and will cost you then. i would ask for a hefty discount based on the cost of fixing something like this. I don't see it as a functional issue but any good PPI will catch it and you will take it in the shorts when selling.

 

Stay away from that or factor in a new case ($7k) and a full rebuild which will be $10k on top of that at a bare minimum $$$. That case has endured serious trauma and has been sealed to prevent leaking. There also appears to be a hairline crack in the case near the oil tank. Don’t walk, run....

 

It does not appear to be leaking and if it was it's not likely that a sealer can be put on the outside of a leak to stop it. Sealer was likely put on to prevent future leaks, seeps. Use it as a bargaining point for a discounted price. If the motor was ever torn down it would be a pretty inexpensive fix. If it is not a "special car" to you, just pass, find something else. My opinion comes from working on motorcycle alloy cases and repairing them for nearly 50 years.