What to Look for in a Salvage Yard Engine or Transmission

**Sponsored Video**Purchasing a salvage engine or transmission can save you a lot of money over buying new. Not every deal is a good one though. You need to look the engine or transmission over before you purchase it. This video outlines some of the things to look for in a salvage yard engine or transmission.

If you're not familiar with Pull-A-Part, they're a self service salvage company in the US. They have 25 yards in 12 states. I'm not just saying this, but they've become my favorite place to go for salvage parts. I suggest you check them out.

Camera: Erik Tande

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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[dosmastrify]

haha Eric just told me to avoid using the engine in my own car

[SidewaysInTraffic]

I think common courtesy like your other vid is extremely important. Put the dipstick, spark plugs, oil cap/filter, back after inspecting them for the next guy.

[danh]

Lookout for worn / broken timing belts

[professorpizza]

I got my T5 transmission from salvage. I cracked it open, installed it into my auto to manual swap mustang, and works like a charm. Saved 500 dollars.

[radster]

My car porn don't know why i love going to junk salvage yards it's just awesome and taking all the bulbs I can pocket to make my 2 dollar fare to go in worthwhile .

[TheBeerBox]

This is such a clean salvage yard. The U pull it yards near me are all muddy with broken interior parts all over the ground.

[thetinpin]

You're in the wrong brand section to be looking for an engine or transmission! ;)

[fatwalletboy]

Also look in the glovebox. It might still contain all the service records and books all stamped up. Id say thats a great sign if its been regularly or recently serviced.

[curbappealpressurewashing]

oil filters will still have oil in them. I always pour a little out and inspect it

[averyalexander]

Also look in the glovebox and trunk, you may find maintenance records or other hints. As an example, if you find an empty bottle from head gasket stop leak in the trunk, you may not want to risk buying the engine from that car as it likely has a blown head gasket.

[sparkplug]

With automatics the first thing i do is drop the pan, if theres anything chunky or gritty in there its probably not a good one. On most vehicles its fairly easy to drop the pan and gaskets are cheap (plus should change the filter anyway. Something else you can do is open the transmission cooler lines. They may drain the pan but they never get all the fluid out of the cooler.

[Loebane]

It's obvious when you think about it in hindsight but I never even considered looking for cars with crash damage. Awesome tip, thanks Eric!

[MrS]

You're like a kid in a candy shop at that place. Pulling the plugs is a great way to diagnose an engine if you know what to look for, it's like telling the car to turn its head and cough.

[WCGwkf]

Check for collision damage rear is good and try to find the mileage if its digital by a sticker or documents

[trentstubbs]

Before pulling the plugs, I also spin the engine over 720*. You will feel the number of compression strokes the engine has by it getting hard then slapping past it. If it skips a compression stroke (NO RESISTANCE), you can bet it has low compression on that cylinder. If that checks out, switch to a breaker bar and turn the crank back and forth, then turn 90* and turn it back and forth. do this a total of 4 times. any loose rod bearings will show themselves to you right quick. you will feel a clunk when you switch directions of the breaker bar. I also recommend pulling the oil pan and looking for metal stew. I have found quite a few spun bearings on subarus this way.

[jeffreygwinn]

Check for oil change stickers and owners manuals for mileages. I pull the transmission pans to check/smell the fluid left in them. Yes, it's drained but typically enough to check what state it was left in and if there's any chunks. Also, you can inpect the magnet to see what it's attracted. If you're getting a transmission, make sure to bar the engine over. You might have a engine with a thrown rod that will prevent you from getting all the bolts from the torque converter. Check all the cars on your potential list before choosing on. You just might run into the engine/transmission that you need already pulled laying at the vehicle.

We now have used car sales here in Winston Salem, NC. They're priced to sell too! Wonder what other states have that. Good luck

[zxztv]

Coffee scum on the inside of the oil cap would make me run lol :-D

[frankgonzalez]

I look for vehicles that are wrecked on the opposite end of the vehicle for the part(s) I'm looking for. If I need a headlight or some thing from the front end, I look for vehicles with damage to the rear. Tail light or trunk, I look for front end damaged vehicles.

[toisforLosers]

Good video, useful information. The junk yard down the road from where I live has most of it's cars striped of all the good stuff. It can be hard to find exactly what you want in a junk yard sometimes even if your looking for parts to a common car.

[morenokid]

THANK YOU ERIC!

Everyone else on YouTube is some douche who teaches you nothing and just talks about their success