Hi all,

I’ve posted before, I’m looking to buy a GT and I’ve posted before asking buying advice about what to look out for and common problem etc. Anyway, I’ve found a potential car, which is an insurance write off with just cosmetic damage. It’ll need a RH front wing and door(I'll get both from a salvage/breakers yard)and the rear quarter panel will need repaired. I’m ok doing that type of stuff as I’ve done up a couple of cars with similar damage before. However, the ad states the car is low on coolant and I’m concerned that this may be something serious such as a blown cylinder head gasket or some difficult to access coolant pipe leaking which will need the engine removed. Are there any common problems on the continental that could cause a coolant leak? Unfortunately inspection of these vehicles in not allowed and the best I can get is to pay for one of the salvage yard workers to walk around the car with a mobile phone while filming asking him to open the hood etc. Unfortunately the ad states both the hood and trunk are not opening. So any common problems causing low coolant level? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

Tony

 

Hello @GT Lad ,
As per your post from August 2024, you have many answers for a 2004.

So, I will repeat the most important again, this is a 2004, therefore if it hasn't been done already at 95,000 miles, you will now most likely be dropping the entire engine transmission package to replace the vacuum lines over the top of the transmission, along the firewall at the steering rack, up the rear of the engine, and at the rear of the intake manifold.

As to the coolant being low, depending on how hard of a hit, there is the coolant reservoir tank on the right front, and an other coolant expansion tank at the cowl area, along with numerous hoses around the engine compartment and at the rear of the engine, the rear of the engine hoses require the removal of the engine transmission package to gain access.

As to the hood not opening, huge red flag, I would get it open the verify engine compartment consisting of all required items.

Which brings me to the comment of no inspection allowed, another huge red flag, is this by any chance a Copart yard, if so, they allow members to inspect Monday through Friday, if not a member, one must register as a "Guest Member", and will be given a safety vest to enter the yard, they say that tools and scanners are not allowed, but I myself have worked management to allow a scan at least, even carrying in a booster box to power the vehicle up.

So, regardless of which yard it is, please be extremely cautious, as the comment of paying the salvage "yard worker" to walk around the vehicle is another red flag, as the majority of salvage yards, including Copart, always state "we are not mechanics, we have no knowledge of mechanical issues", therefore they always suggest hiring an inspector to check out the vehicle if you can not do it yourself.

Just as an example, one vehicle (BMW) was listed as running and driving, meaning to move forward and back 3 feet each way under it's own power, and was to have slight front end damage with low coolant as to the busted radiator, well when it arrived at my friend's shop, it had no transmission, therefore it never moved either direction at the yard, their answer is, "it's as-is", just as a XC90 showed up with no drive shaft nor front axles, therefore an inspection is always required, no matter how low the cost of vehicle, I mean, I have read of another where the supposed to run and drive vehicle showed up with no engine...







Also, the 2004/05 has the coolant circulation pump mounted to the transmission, all the way at the end on top of the tail shaft, this consists of rubber hoses, metal pipes, and the pump as shown, just another place to check for coolant leaks.

Johnny
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Hi Johnny,
Thanks for the informative post and pictures. I should have mentioned I'm in the UK(I've now updated my profile), and Copart don't allow inspections, well at least they didn't last year when I asked when buying a Renault. I'll ask again.in case it has changed. Either way I'll take your advice and be cautious.

Tony

 

Hi Tony,
I knew you were in the UK, I just didn't understand that UK Coparts are still using the excuse of the covid pandemic as a reason for no in-person inspections, I just searched and found that you can get a 10 minute virtual inspection by video call, sorry, but 10 minutes, that's a joke, and they charge £10 for the video call...

What is confusing is, that the information goes on to say that no tools nor scanners are allowed for in-person visits, so, I would ask again, a video call in no way compares to a in-person, hands and eyes on inspection.

Good luck in your search !

Johnny

 

This is the UK, everything is geared around being taken advantage of and ripping us off.

A major national car auction chain has continued it's online auction only policy. All you have to go on is their pictures and description, you then have to pay online before being allowed to book a collection slot.

Once you get there, they hand you the keys/paperwork and send you on your way to go find the car. Car doesn't match description/mechanical inspection? tough, they have your money and they have no other interest.

They obviously found people were bidding more than the car is worth during Covid, not being able to see the little dents/scratches, hear the rattly engine or smoking exhaust. So have continued to stick to that method of operation.