Salvage Yard Question

NOT THE BLUE LAMPSHADE · 11-01-2009

I recently swapped a new engine into my Mazda 626. I got an engine from Viking Auto in Northfield. I've had the engine in and running for about 6 days now, and I've driven it not even 250 miles.
2 days after I started driving it, I discovered the rear main seal was toast and I'd have to drop the tranny out to replace it, since it's not a 2 piece rear main.
Saturday, it started over heating like crazy and I had to have it towed off the highway and I discovered it's the head gasket.

I've gotta a complete shit engine from them!

Does anyone think I'll get my money back or some money back? I bought the engine on the 15th of this month, so it hasn't even been a month yet. I don't wanna have to go pull it out again and try this over. I just want them to give me money to buy a new head gasket and have the head machined and tested.

Just wondering if anyone has had this happen or something similar or know anything about it.

deadeye · 11-01-2009

I would give them a call. The worst thing that could happen is that they tell you to f off.

What your asking seems reasonable to me but you never know with salvage yards. Most of them have some kind of warranty so one would think they would help you out. My guess is they are gonna want to exchange the motor so be prepared for that.

**Kracka** · 11-01-2009

Yup, most provide some sort of short-term warranty but my guess is they're just going to want to exchange it for another junkyard engine. Give them a call and find out.

Spikesoftail · 11-01-2009

As a shop owner I've felt the pain of junk used parts. Most recyling yards will exchange another part if they have one available. Viking is a pretty good yard so they should take care of you.

s1ngletracker · 11-01-2009

I'm pretty sure I've heard that most places like that have a 30 day warranty.

awd-drifter · 11-01-2009

They should have a 30-day warranty. IIRC, my good friend's uncle bought a motor from them (specifically a camry engine) and it was no good within maybe a week or 2. He returned it with no charge and they gave him another "new" engine. I dunno, I never really trusted junkyard/salvage yard engines.

**4seasons69** · 11-01-2009

some have warranties and some don't. it's really hit or miss with junk yards. a couple weeks ago at work I put a junk yard engine in a 01 ford focus and it had rod knock like a bitch and we got screwed over and barely got our money back. I just go by this saying "what do you get from junk yards?? JUNK!"

jrohner · 11-01-2009

How do you know that the overheat was caused by a bad headgasket, and not the other way around? It's quite easy to wreck a headgasket; such as: radiator or heater hose not tight enough -- suck in air and overheat, blown headgasket.

There's no way for us to know what they're going to say (good chance it's what I just said), so give them a call tomorrow.