November 26, 2009
Question about engines that you buy from junk yards and such?
tommaso asked:
Hello, I am interested in buying a car and have a few questions about the engines that can be purchased online from junk yards and other similar places.
Hello, I am interested in buying a car and have a few questions about the engines that can be purchased online from junk yards and other similar places.
How do you know the condition of the engine you want. I think that they give you the mileage, but how do you know the condition of the engine? Is the price a good indicator?
For example if I want a Camaro and wish to drove the LS1 engine in it and go looking for used LS1 engines, how will I know if a 70,000 mile one is better than a 100,000 mile one? Also why is the engine in the junk yard to begin with. Do they check the head gasket and such?
Atlanta Buying Junk Cars
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Comments on Question about engines that you buy from junk yards and such?
6:49 am
Atlanta Buying Junk Cars
You pretty much just have to go by their word.
There are two types of junkyards. Some which sell just that-JUNK. Others which are very reputable and are ran just like any auto parts store selling new parts-with warranties on the parts and everything. Find a larger salvage yard in your area, one with a good reputation. They might even have a website with a listing of the parts they have in stock.
Just shop wisely, thats all you can do.
12:13 pm
Atlanta Buying Junk Cars
Usually they check to see if the vehicle runs good before they pull them out. If they smoke, use oil or have any unexplained noises in the motor they will not pull them out. As far as finding out if the one with 70k or the one with out 100k is better you may never be able to. Lower mileage doesn't always mean mean that it is a better motor. I have had motors that had 200,000 miles that I would not have traded to a guy with 47,000 miles on the. It always depends on how they were maintained.
8:14 pm
Atlanta Buying Junk Cars
in my case yes they did check the headgasket. they even put old oil back in it. cracked block to make a kong staory short.i missed it, and it was my fault. i worked with low light.now they knew what i did to the engine and asked for the heads etc, i said hell no. i had close to $2000 in the heads.look i dont wanna scare ya, but i knew these peoplek they did me that way/ they knew it had troubole, first thing i did was pull the dipstick, it smelled bad ;ike time for a oil change, i worked it over to get close to my base engine hp, so i could rebuild my base. well i put my bass back in less than 1 week. later, sorry for my typage.anyway 30 day warranty, 45 day build, i lose, i aint givin up the $2000 in headwork and intake work. i kept the blown engine, all i wanted was a block, they wouldnt kick a barew block for my **** block and if i could spell their name i would, but they are mc and sons in ca.
9:46 pm
Atlanta Buying Junk Cars
Well, we have an auto recycler here in Oregon that, for most engines, lists, mileage, oil pressure, and cylinder compression when it was pulled, meaning they ran the motor and checked some of it's vitals – so to speak- before pulling it. While those aren't an all-inclusive look into the engine's history, a savvy mechanic should be able to pick a decent engine, and if not, well, some places carry a 60 day warranty on used engines and such.
Usually a newer car is in the junkyard because the insurance company totaled it from a wreck, but I personally wouldn't buy a used engine with more than 60,000 miles on it. And yes, the price can be an indicator of condition, but do not rely on that alone when judging quality.
P.S. Oil pressure is sometimes an indicator of overall wear, when combined with mileage, and cylinder compression can tell you if there is a serious head gasket problem. Again, please consult a trained mechanic if you are unsure.