by Marshall Brown

Created on: October 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 06, 2008

I had to laugh when I read this. I have had so many friends believing that they are saving themselves money by going to the junkyard and buying an old part. I could never do that, cause I don't know if the product I'm buying was over-used, how long was it on the former vehicle, how long can it possibly last, etc. If you want any auto part to last, from the tires to the alternator, you must buy it brand spanking new.

With used auto parts such as windows, pieces of the structure of the car, then sure. Never, never the mechanical or working parts of an engine. Now the engine block, sure. You can always repair most damages and utilize it for another vehicle. It always comes down to what you know. I am always looking to save a buck, but in my youth, I have made the mistake far too many times buying used parts that only last a week or two. Now, I spend that time calling auto parts stores and getting quotes on the parts I need. Never, ever going to the junkyard that is the biggest mistake that one can make. Yes, you may get a decent part and it may last you as long as a new one. Do you really want to take that chance?

You go to the casino much? That is the equivalent of buying used parts. Yes, you win sometimes, but the work you have to do when you lose of installing and replacing a part a second time, really aggravates. It does me anyway, after swearing a little just doing the work sometimes to install or remove the part the first time, is frustrating enough to me. I sure don't want to do it again needlessly!

Let me use my experience as an example. I had an older lady who needed to have a fuel pump replace in a small mini-van. I took on the project, there was a hundred dollars in for it. When I had dropped the tank and removed the old pump, I suddenly realized that she forgot to tell me where the new pump was. I rummaged through the back of the van, searching for the new pump and all I found was junk, and more junk. Finally, I relented. I called her up at her daughters house, where she stayed while I did my magic, and came to find out it was indeed in the back of the van. I apologized and went to rummage once more, getting a sick feeling that I was "in for it."

I went back into the van, and one of the "pieces of junk" I tossed aside was a dirt covered, rusty fuel pump. I cleaned it up and inspected it, to find the hot wire to the pump was exposed and worn. Needless to say, I had to put the old, still working, fuel pump back into the van. Tell the inexperienced older lady, the dangers of installing the pump. I didn't charge her, of course, and she said she'd still have someone else do it. I haven't heard from her, hope the car didn't blow up!

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