subject: Buying A Used Automotive Engine [print this page] Today, people every day are purchasing either a new or used car to replace an older one that may have had previous problems with the engine. Buying a used engine is a great alternative to getting into a new car note but it can be risky business if you don't know what to look for. One of the things that makes it so risky is the fact that there is no legal requirement to maintain the engine to any standard, or to keep any kind of accurate log.
Replacing an engine can be the single most expensive repair on a vehicle. Buying and installing a good used engine can save you thousands of dollars and lots of headache.
So the first thing to look for some kind of service record on the engine or a Car-Fax statement showing the mileage as listed by the DMV. If it's not there, the engine might not be what you think you are getting. I see at least one engine every month that was bought used and was misrepresented as being much fresher than what it actually was. Nearly every such case, the buyer was told that the engine had just been "rebuilt", or that it has only been "broken in." In actuality the engine had over 100K miles and had been sitting in the rain for 2 years rusted up solid.
Upgrade the warranty when buying a used engine. Most used car part vendors offer a standard 6-month warranty on used engines. It is worth the money to upgrade that warranty to a 1- or 2-year warranty if they offer it.
Looking at local salvage yards is time consuming and you may not find what you need. It is quicker to use one of the on-line car part vendors who can run a search for the engine and tell you exactly where you can find it.
Before you buy an engine from a local salvage yard, run a VIN check on that car to find out it's history. This will help avoid buying an engine that has been flood damaged or rebuilt.
"Rebuilt" is a relative term, and should not be relied on as an indication of quality unless there is a detailed service record describing exactly what was done with the engine and when it was done. The service records that get sent back with one of my rebuilds is usually about 2 - 3 pages single spaced, and every little detail of the engine service is in there. Without that kind of records, "rebuilt" could mean new seals and gaskets, or it could mean new crank, pistons, bearings, seals, and gaskets. That is a big difference.
by: Marvin Maloney
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