Top 3 Parts to Look for at a Junk Yard

Junk yards get a bad rap, but Fourwheeler Network points out that they can be a gold mine of great parts that are always cheaper than buying new and will likely last just as long. You may have to put in a bit more effort to find the part you want at a junk yard, but the savings you'll enjoy are almost certainly worth it. Besides the financial incentive, recycling parts from a scrap yard is a great way to help the environment by reducing waste and reducing the energy used to manufacture new parts. With that said, here are three parts that you should look for at the junk yard to save money and the environment.

 

Throttle Body

A throttle body is part of the air intake system. It helps to control how much air enters the engine and is therefore critical to things like performance and fuel efficiency. Common symptoms of a bad throttle body include rough idle, poor acceleration, difficult starting, reduce fuel economy, and a check engine light that is on.

 

In some cases, an ailing throttle body can be repaired simply by cleaning it. In fact, many mechanics recommend routinely cleaning your throttle body using solvents designed for just such a purpose. Carbon from the combustion process can build up on the throttle body interior, reducing its mechanical function and increasing fuel use.

 

In cases where a throttle body cannot be cleaned, it will have to be replaced. It is an expensive part, but also one that generally doesn't fail often. Given these characteristics, and the fact that it can be easily restored to near-perfect condition with cleaning, a throttle body is a great part to look for in a junk yard. Just figure out which engine is in your car and go hunting. Clean the throttle body before you install it and it should give you years of service at a rock-bottom price.

 

Carburetors

Before fuel injectors came along to improve efficiency and power, fuel and air were mixed together in carburetors. Finding replacements can be difficult, particularly for older cars that aren't "hot" on the collectors market. If you need a carburetor for your older-model vehicle, a junk yard can be a great place to find one. What is great is that if you know what you are doing, you can often use a carburetor from one engine on an entirely different engine. Doing so may even improve your car's performance. According to Bessler’s U Pull and Save, using an online service to search through a junk yard's inventory can be a real time saver by allowing you to see if a part is in stock or at least giving you leads to follow up on by phone. The best junk yards will also give you rough price estimates.

 

Transmissions

Unless the transmission on your car had a design failure, chances are good that it failed due to something catastrophic like an accident, driving over a curb, or forgetting to check the fluid. Transmissions can be expensive to repair or replace, but often last a lifetime if cared for properly. If your transmission has seen better days, considering looking for a replacement at a junk yard. Chances are good that you'll find exactly what you need in slightly used condition. The used version will cost hundreds, if not thousands, less than buying new and will probably last just as long.

 

The Junk Yard Advantage

There are certain parts you don't want to buy used, like brake pads. Other than parts that wear out frequently, however, junk yards can be a prime source for used parts that will last you just as long as aftermarket replacements will. This is especially true when you are looking for vintage or specialty parts. So, the next time you need a new part for your car, consider the junk yard first and only buy new if you can't find what you are looking for.