04 C70 Junk Yard Engine

Post by **cuhfs** » 29 Apr 2015, 19:25

Just looking for a few opinions. I need a "new" used engine.

1.) I can buy a used engine from Erie VOVO (great reputation and I like to use them) and they offer lifetime guarantee on parts and labor @ $50/ hr labor as a guarantee against a defective engine ($50 is if I have a professional shop put the engine in). Obviously "This warranty does not cover parts that fail as a result of improper installation, misuse, abuse or the failure of another part". Their price is about $400+ more than a local trustworthy yard.

2.) My local auto yard for $400 less (than Erie) offers a 6 month warranty on their used engine. Both same approx mileage. Local yard is very trustworthy too.

So the question is do you choose 6 months or lifetime...
After 6 months of driving does the warranty really mean anything? Won't I know within 6 months if I have a defective engine? Is Eries longer warranty worthwhile paying an extra $400+ for?
Thoughts / opinion please?

difflock54 · Post by **difflock54** » 29 Apr 2015, 19:30

What is their specific definition of 'Lifetime' ?
Your life, the cars or the particular part/component purchased

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 29 Apr 2015, 21:47

As my father in law always said, " You pays your money and you takes your chances". I think that is equally applicable in either case. With a "bad" engine you will know pretty much immediately when you start it. If it passes the light up test and the compression numbers are good then you are for the most part good to go.

My experience with "lifetime" warranties are that they are worthless but Erie may be the exception. The labor provision in the warranty is interesting since that is almost universally excluded in any warranty on car parts but I would read the fine print.

I did manage to get O'Reilly Auto Parts to give me three sets of brake pads on a "lifetime warranty" for an old Chevy truck I had - there was no defect, I just wore them out. The manager finally put a stop to that silliness.

...Lee

Post by **E Showell** » 01 May 2015, 06:25

I had Erie honor an engine warranty no questions asked. My mechanic also said he was impressed by the quality of care Erie seemed to have taken in preparing the engine, i.e., cleaning and using appropriate plugs to cap off fluid lines, etc. It is undoubtedly true that Erie is a little more expensive. To me, it ended up being worth it, but you may have better luck than I did. Because you are local to me, might I ask who the "local yard" is? I use Brass Castle Import Salvage in Washington Borough on Brass Castle road as my "local" source. The proprietor, Al, has always been good to me, but he got rid of most if not all of his 850/S70/V70 cars a few years ago. No telling what he may still have on his shelves, or what he may be able to get for you though.

Post by **erikv11** » 01 May 2015, 08:25

Perhaps you did already but to reiterate, make sure the parts portion of Erie's warranty is valid for a self-install, if that is the way you are going. Not all retailers will guarantee that, but a junkyard should. I've always installed used engines myself, a DIY install would make the cost difference at Erie much more manageable.

Post by **erikv11** » 01 May 2015, 09:16

Oh and for sure, change the rear main seal and the front trans seal while you have everything apart!

Post by **abscate** » 03 May 2015, 06:36

Ask Erie for a price with a 6 month warranty to compare Swedish apples to Swedish meatballs....or give them the price delta you want.

I'm also doing the NY NJ jersey trip fairly often. Let me know if I can maybe save shipping.

Post by **cuhfs** » 03 May 2015, 13:17

Good idea abt the 6 mos. Thank you for the info and offer