I picked up a 175 CFM Ingersoll-Rand air compressor with 500 hrs. showing on the clock and three jackhammers at an auction for $1,500 US. This guy was walking around telling everyone that the starter ring gear had some teeth knocked off of it and that is why it would not start. It would have gone for much more if they could have started it. I got it home, pulled the starter and checked the gear. It was OK. While I was putting the starter back in, I found a wire that had been disconnected from the fuel solenoid(diesel). After connecting the wire, the compressor fired right up. I have been using it to sand blast my jeep parts and build a 1900 foot long driveway and a house. My 1945 MB tows it quite well around the property.
Dave Fillman
---- you wrote:
> For many of us, we love to hit every auction we possibly can. For MOST of
> us, you can tell by how packed our buildings are! I have seen about every
> trick in the book what people do to "degrade" whatever comes up for auction
> in hopes of it not bringing a higher price. One time at a university
> auction, I was high bidder on a forklift. Auctioneer announced it had a key
> in it but it's not there now. After the sale, some guy walked up to me and
> actually handed the ignition key to me and said, "It's an old trick". (I
> don't think I myself would have the guts to do that!) Another common trick
> is to remove the dipstick or oil cap and throw it under the vehicle or
> somewhere else. This is all too common and everyone now should be aware of
> these. (Only reason I mention these two) Another auction in the past, I
> was at the city auction of impounds and wrecks. As always there are all of
> the salvage yard operators present and yakking back and forth about what is
> and what isn't. (Even a dummy can tell they're all full of it!) As I was
> looking at an engine, one of these junkyard dogs (Never saw him before, all
> bark-you know the kind that walk up beside you and say something like they
> know that car and how bad it is) said/exclaimed "the dipstick is missing!"
> I looked at him straight in the eye and said in a sincere voice: "IT IS? Is
> that serious? Would it be expensive to fix?" They never know what to say
> after that! I just play dumb and keep an eye out for the known crooks.
> Julian
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This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Wed Nov 01 2000 - 21:37:49 PST