The engine in your car may not last forever, and over time, wear inside the engine can lead to failures that make a replacement engine necessary. Replacing the engine in the vehicle can be expensive, but one alternative to consider is used engines available from a local salvage yard.

Value And Durability

The idea of used engines as replacements in cars that are still on the road may seem strange to some people, but using a good, running used engine as a replacement can save you a lot of money if your car is in good shape otherwise. The durability of used engines is hard to determine sometimes, but there are some things you can look for that will help. 

Check the mileage on the car the engine is coming out of and look for one that is low. Often low mileage cars that have been in accidents that totaled the vehicle have good engines in them that you can buy at a reasonable price and reuse in your vehicle.

The engine can come out of a different car model in some cases because the manufacturer may have used the same engine in several different vehicles. Look to see if there are differences in the engine, like pulleys or accessory layouts that are different. Also, be sure to look to see if the mounts are there to remount these items in the same configuration as your current engine.

Often manufacturers will put all the mounts or mounting holes on the engine to quickly adjust things to fit the vehicle that the engine is going into at the factory, which can make your life easier. Even if the layout is slightly different, used engines can be a great value and are a great way to recycle parts.

Used Engine Warranties 

Used engines may come with a limited warranty from the salvage yard, but often that will only cover the engine for between thirty and ninety days. The warranty may also be limited to replacing the faulty engine, not a cash refund, so it is vital to check the engine over carefully when making your purchase. 

Look for any visible damage to the outside of the engine that could result from the accident the car was in or misuse of the engine. Cracks in the block, leaking freeze plugs, or accessories that have broken loose can all be trouble that you want to avoid.

Installation is also a big job, so if you do not check the engine well and find an issue during or after the engine is in the car, it can mean pulling it back out and replacing it a second time. The time you spend looking over the used engines you are considering can save a lot of frustration and time in the long run, and you may want to have your mechanic look them over if you are not comfortable doing so. 

Visit a local salvage yard, such as Teddy Bear’s Auto Parts & Salvage Inc., to learn more about used engines.