How To Avoid Getting Ripped Off By A Houston Junkyard

How to avoid getting ripped off by a Houston Junkyard.

People are sometimes hesitant to purchase anything from a junkyard/salvage yard for fear of getting scammed or ripped off. Thankfully, there are many reputable people in the junkyard business such as Airline Auto Parts. Here are some tips from our Houston salvage yard on how to avoid getting scammed or ripped off from less than reputable junkyards. 

Compare Quality and Prices Of Houston Junkyards 

One of the most effective ways to spot a rip-off artist is by shopping around and comparing prices. Getting a quote from at least three different places can help determine what the going rate for your item is. It will also cause the scammer to stand out. The ideal situation for a scammer is to meet a desperate or impatient shopper who doesn’t bother to compare their offer with others.  

Make Sure The Junkyard Is Fully Licensed

Make sure that the places you shop at are legitimate and properly licensed. Those that aren’t licensed are going to be much more likely to also operate unethically in other ways. Also, check their ratings on Google, Yelp, and other online review sites.

Built upon a foundation of honesty, trust, and dependability, Airline Auto Parts has become the go-to Houston salvage yard for many auto repair shops and retail customers. All of our parts are cleaned and tested before we put them out on the floor, so you can be sure to get a quality part that works great. In addition, we back all of our parts with a 6-month guarantee and if we do not have what you are looking for, we will gladly order it for you. Our goal is to be your one-stop destination for all of your used auto parts needs. Therefore, if you’re looking for a fair, reputable salvage yard that won’t try to rip you off, contact us today.

Two Types of Houston Junkyards or Salvage Yards

Check out the two types of Houston junkyards/salvage yards

No matter how great your vehicle currently runs, it’s highly likely that you will eventually be in the market for replacement auto parts. However, purchasing new auto parts can get expensive. Add to that the cost of labor needed to install them, and you’re looking at quite a hefty hit to your wallet. Therefore, a great option is to purchase auto parts from a Houston junkyard/salvage yard.

Junk yards buy used auto parts and totaled vehicles with usable, working parts on them that they sell to car owners for less than what the same parts would cost new. One of the many advantages of purchasing from a junkyard is that you can often find parts that have barely been used, extracted from new cars that have been in accidents but could not be repaired. Generally, there are two types of junkyards: self-service and full service.

Self-Service Junkyards/Salvage Yards

A self-service salvage yard is where you search for what you need and if you find it, remove the part yourself. Since you are pulling the part yourself, it’s wise to know ahead of time what you’re looking for, so that you can bring the proper tools for removal with you. Some salvage yards will charge a small entrance fee, but you are given free reign to search every part of their lot. Anything that you find and want to keep, you still have to pay for, but often at a fraction of the cost of a new part.  

Full-Service Junkyards/Salvage Yards

Full-service salvage yards are junkyards that already have the parts pulled for you. Instead of wandering the junkyard looking for what you need, you simply ask an employee or check online if they have the part you’re looking for in stock. The great thing about a full-service salvage yard is that they can save you a lot of time. Instead of spending precious amounts of time wandering around a junkyard hoping to find the part you’re looking for, full-service junkyards allow you to spend more time on actually working on your car.

Airline Auto Parts: Your One-Stop Houston Salvage Yard

Houston is a big city full of both types of junkyards. With so many junkyards in our midst, choosing where to go can often feel overwhelming. Thankfully, Airline Auto Parts is a reputable full-service Houston salvage yard that strives to be your one-stop destination for all of your used auto parts needs. All of our parts are cleaned and tested ahead of time, so you can be sure you’re getting a quality part that works great. In addition, we back all of our parts with a 6-month guarantee warranty and will special order anything we do not have in stock.

Built on a foundation of honesty, trust, and dependability, our Houston salvage yard is a major supplier of recycled automotive parts to both the Houston area and nationwide. Call us today to find the part you need.

Tips to Purchasing a Used Transmission

Tips to purchasing a used transmission

When purchasing a transmission, one option is to buy a new or refurbished one from a dealership or auto parts store. However, purchasing new or refurbished parts can get extremely pricey, and you might not always find what you are looking for. This is why purchasing a used transmission is a great alternative to buying new.

You can often find used transmissions listed for sale online by private parties or salvage yards. However, when purchasing a used transmission, make sure to use the following tips to ensure that you get a quality unit that works great:

Check For Leaks In The Used Transmission

When it comes to used transmissions, leaks are always a concern. Purchasing a transmission with leaks will leave you with bigger problems that further dent your wallet. You can check for leaks by adding transmission fluid to the unit and seeing if any drips out after awhile. 

Check The Used Transmission’s Warranty

If you purchase the transmission from a reputable junkyard, they should have a warranty in place. Make sure you ask about the warranty so that you can determine whether or not you feel comfortable purchasing the part. Make sure the warranty is in writing, so that there is no confusion or surprises later on.

Ask About the Used Transmisson’s History

Some sellers have information regarding the history of the transmission. Ask for access to this information, as it can help you see if there are any risk factors. You can also look up a transmission report on CarFax, which lists where the vehicle has been and whether it was involved in any transmission related auto accidents.

Trust Our Houston Salvage Yard

While the aforementioned tips are a good guideline to follow when purchasing a used transmission, if you purchase from Airline Auto Parts, you can be sure to get a high-quality transmission that works great. All of our used auto parts are tested and cleaned ahead of time, and we back them with a 6-month money back guarantee. In the event we do not have what you are looking for, we will gladly order it for you. Our Houston junkyard/salvage yard strives to be your one-stop destination for all of your used auto parts needs, so contact us today for a great used transmission.

Two Ways to Shop at a Houston Junkyard

An often over-looked resource for auto parts is the junkyard. Full of interesting and useful machines and parts, a full-service salvage yard such as Houston’s Airline Auto Parts can often be a one-stop destination for all of your used auto parts needs. From alternators to transmissions, tire rims to engines, our Houston salvage yard has what you are looking for.

For some, shopping at a junkyard seems like a daunting task. However, depending on your situation, the following two ways can make shopping at a Houston salvage yard both enjoyable and efficient:

Browsing Around A Houston Junkyard

Browsing around a junkyard without a definite agenda can be quite a pleasurable experience. For instance, let’s say you have a general idea of what you need (transmission, say) and come to our salvage yard. While here, you browse around our huge selection of quality used auto parts and spot a set of tire rims that would look great on your car. You end up purchasing the tire rims along with a great transmission. As a result, you have now upgraded your car’s condition in two different ways! This type of scenario happens all the time at our Houston junkyard. Customers come in with a general idea of what they need, and end up fulfilling needs in other areas as well.

Having A Set Mission at A Houston Junkyard

The other way to shop at our junkyard is to be on a focused mission. This involves knowing what you need ahead of time, and getting in and out as quickly as possible. At our salvage yard, we understand that when it comes to working on an automobile, time is precious to many. Not everyone has the luxury of slowly browsing our huge selection of used auto parts. This is why our salvage yard conveniently pulls and tests all of our parts ahead of time. Simply check online for your part or contact us by phone, so that it will be ready for you when you arrive. In the event we do not have the part in stock, we can order it for you, and back it with a 6-month guarantee.

Our Houston Salvage Yard Makes it Enjoyable and Easy

At Airline Auto Parts, we understand that shopping at a junkyard can seem overwhelming. Therefore, we have created a full-service salvage yard that makes shopping at a junkyard both enjoyable and easy. Whether you just have a general idea of what you’re looking for, or know exactly what you want, contact us today for all of your auto parts needs. We are here to make shopping at a junkyard enjoyable, while allowing you to spend less time looking for parts, and more time on actually improving your automobile!

DIY Transmission Installation

DIY Transmission Installation.

If you followed our steps in the previous post on how to successfully remove a transmission, you are ready to install the replacement transmission. Hopefully, you came to our Houston salvage yard and purchased one of our high-quality used transmissions to replace the old one. Purchasing a great used transmission from our Houston junkyard and installing it yourself can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The following are general Do It Yourself guidelines to installing an automatic transmission:

  1. Using a jack, raise your automobile and secure it with jack stands.
  2. Install the torque converter (make sure to fill converter with one quart of transmission fluid before installation). Push and wiggle the converter until you feel three “clicks” each time the converter drops into place. This signals that the converter is engaged.
  3. Install transmission brackets.
  4. Clean off any dirt, grease, or burs found on the transmission bell housing and engine. *Note: transmissions purchased from Airline Auto Parts are already cleaned in advance.
  5. Lift up one side of the transmission and have someone else slide the jack under the transmission pan. Slide the jack under the vehicle. Position the jack so that when raised, the transmission bell housing will be slightly behind the engine.
  6. Raise the transmission and slide the jack forward until the bell housing touches the back of engine. Line up the dowels with the dowel holes and push the transmission forward. When the dowel pins are in the dowel holes, install the bell housing bolts.
  7. Line up the torque converter holes with holes in the flywheel and install the torque converter bolts.
  8. Install the starter. *Note: Get both starter bolts started before fully tightening the bolts. 
  9. Attach all electrical connectors and vacuum hoses. 
  10. Install the transmission oil filler dipstick tube and new filler tube O-ring.
  11. Install cooler lines, shifter linkage, exhaust, flywheel/flex-plate cover, cross member and then driveshaft.
  12. Remove the jack from underneath the vehicle. Jack up your automobile and remove the jack stands.  Lower your automobile to the ground.

Find Everything You Need At Our Houston Salvage Yard

In addition to cleaning and testing all of our used parts in advance, another great thing about purchasing from Airline Auto Parts is that we back our parts with a 6-month guarantee. Therefore, purchasing from our reputable salvage yard will not only save you money, but give you peace of mind as well. If you are looking to purchase a great-working used transmission or have any questions regarding the installation process, do not hesitate to contact us today. We are your one stop shop for great used auto parts!

Steps To Removing A Transmission

Steps to pulling a transmission

If your transmission breaks down, often the most cost effective way to resolve the issue is to remove and replace it yourself. Purchasing a high-quality used transmission from a reputable Houston salvage yard such as Airline Auto Parts will further save you a substantial amount of money.

Although removing a transmission may seem like a daunting task, it’s actually not that difficult. As long as you are prepared, safe, and follow instructions, it can be successfully done. Here are the general steps most technicians, including the ones at our Houston junkyard, take when removing a front-wheel-drive automatic transmission:

1) Remove the battery ground cable

2) Disconnect the under-hood electrical connectors to the transmission

3) Remove front wheels

4) Move (or remove) drive axles

5) Remove dipstick tube

6) Disconnect cooler lines

7) Disconnect electrical connections to solenoids and sensors

8) Disconnect gear selector and throttle linkages

9) Remove starter motor

10) Remove exhaust pipes and catalytic converter

11) Support transmission with a transmission jack

12) Remove crossmember supports

13) Disconnect from chassis mounts

14) Remove flexplate to torque converter bolts

15) Remove bell housing to engine bolts

16) Remove transmission

Whether the transmission you are replacing the old one with is new or used, it first needs to be checked out. Additionally, the front pump and torque converter also need to be inspected and installed, while all sensors, solenoids, valve body and filters must be checked as well.

Let Our Houston Junkyard Make It Easy For You

The great thing about purchasing auto parts from Airline Auto Parts is that we do all the necessary checks ahead of time, so that you can be sure you are getting a transmission that works great. In addition, unlike many Houston junkyards, we pull the parts for you. Therefore, instead of roaming around a junkyard hoping to find what you are looking for, simply tell us what you need, and we’ll have it ready. This convenience gives you more time to spend on actually working on your automobile.

If you are looking to replace your current transmission with a great used one backed by our 6-month guarantee, contact our Houston salvage yard today. 

Guidelines to Follow When Shopping At a Houston Salvage Yard

Guidelines to shopping at a Houston salvage yard.

As we all know, purchasing used auto parts from a Houston salvage yard or junkyard is a great alternative to buying new auto parts, as buying new ones can get expensive. Used auto parts are often just as good and reliable as new ones, and are sometimes the only alternative when looking for parts that are no longer manufactured.

Guidelines for Shopping At a Junkyard

While purchasing used auto parts carries a plethora of advantages, one should be careful when buying. Here are a few guidelines to follow when purchasing used auto parts:

  • Know exactly what you need. It may sound obvious, but knowing exactly what you need ahead of time will save you a tremendous amount of time, and eliminate the risk of getting the wrong part. If possible, bring the old part with you to compare it with the parts at the junkyard. If you are shopping at a full-service salvage yard such as Airline Auto Parts, show the old part to the employee, so that they can find you an exact match.

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Don’t worry about bothering the person behind the counter with too many questions. Dealing with novice mechanics is a daily occurrence for those working in a junkyard. In fact, here at Airline Auto Parts, we respect anyone who takes on the challenge of fixing a car themselves.

  • Be sure the part is returnable. Unfortunately, sometimes no matter how many precautions you take, you’ll somehow end up with the wrong part. Therefore, it’s wise to check the junkyard’s return policy before purchasing. A great thing about our Houston junkyard is that we back all of our parts with a 6-month money-back guarantee.

Airline Auto Parts Makes it Easy

Although some people are hesitant to purchase used auto parts from a junkyard, following the aforementioned guidelines can make the process a lot smoother. Additionally, purchasing from Airline Auto Parts makes it even easier. We are a full-service salvage yard/junkyard that strives to be your one-stop destination for all of your used auto parts needs. Contact us today to find what you’re looking for.

A Better Option: Purchasing Auto Parts from A Junkyard

Purchasing auto parts from Junkyard is often a better option than buying from a dealership or auto parts store.

In a perfect world, your car would never break down. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and car trouble is just a regular part of life. Your car is eventually going to have issues, and when it does, the most cost-effective way to repair it is to purchase the necessary parts and fix it yourself.

When purchasing auto parts, an option is to buy new parts from the dealership or auto parts store.  However, we all know purchasing from the dealership is almost always the most expensive option, and when it comes to purchasing from an auto parts store, you might not always be able to find exactly what you need.

A Houston Salvage Yard Like No Other

A great third option when purchasing parts is to shop at a full service salvage yard/junkyard such as Airline Auto Parts. Purchasing from a salvage yard such as Airline carries many advantages. For instance, you can get great, high-quality used auto parts at a fraction of the cost you would pay for new parts. In addition, because these parts are taken from the exact make and model of your vehicle, you can be sure that they will function and fit properly.

Unlike many other salvage yards in the Greater Houston area, Airline Auto Parts is a full service salvage yard. What this means is, instead of having to roam around a junkyard hoping to find what you need and then pulling it yourself, our Houston salvage yard checks for and pulls the parts for you. In addition, all of our parts are cleaned and checked for defects, thus ensuring that you get a part that works great.

Come to Airline Auto Parts For All of Your Late Model Part Needs

Another aspect that separates Airline from other junkyards is our extensive inventory of late model parts. Finding parts for late model automobiles is often the greatest challenge people face when shopping at a junkyard. However, at Airline, we make it a point to carry a vast assortment of parts from late model automobiles. In the event we don’t have the part you are looking for, we can easily order it for you, and back it with our 6-month guarantee. This allows us to say “yes” to all of your used auto parts needs more often than other salvage yards in the Houston area.

Contact Airline Auto Parts Today

Serving the Greater Houston area and nationwide, Airline Auto Parts is your one-stop destination for great used auto parts. Our goal is to be the only place you need to call whenever you need parts, regardless of the automobile’s make, model, or year. Call us today for the parts you’re looking for.

Advantages of Shopping At A Full Service Salvage Yard

Shopping at a salvage yard carries many advantages

A full service salvage yard is one of the best places you can go to find quality used auto parts. From used engines to used transmissions, to used tire rims, full-service salvage yards such as Airline Auto Parts will have what you’re looking for. Unlike typical junkyards, where you don’t know the likelihood of finding what you’re looking for, shopping at a full service salvage yard carries many advantages. Let’s take a look at a few of them:

Salvage Yards Offer Inexpensive Prices

Being able to purchase quality auto parts at inexpensive prices is perhaps the biggest draw of shopping at a full service salvage yard. For just a mere fraction of the cost of the price you would pay to buy brand new part, you can purchase a quality used one. In addition, because these parts are pulled from the exact make and model of the vehicle, you can be sure the parts meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards thus, ensuring proper fit and function.

Salvage Yards Offer Convenience

When looking for a part at our Houston salvage yard, customers can either first call or check online for the part they are looking for. Our employees will then check to see if the part is in stock. If in stock, the part is either already shelf ready or need to be pulled. All parts are cleaned and checked for defects, thus ensuring you are getting a part that works properly.

In the event we don’t have the part in stock, not to worry. We can easily order it for you, and back it with a 6 month guarantee.

Such conveniences make purchasing from a full service salvage yard more cost-effective than purchasing brand new parts, and more convenient than wandering around a junkyard in search of a part you need to pull yourself.

Contact Our Houston Salvage YardToday

Airline Auto Parts is a full service salvage yard built on a foundation of honesty, trust, and dependability. Serving the Greater Houston area and nationwide, we are here to help you find what you need at a great price. Contact us today.

Benefits of Used Auto Parts

Used auto parts carry many benefits

A common dilemma many face purchasing auto parts is deciding whether to purchase brand new replacement parts or used parts. Whether you are an auto mechanic or simply someone who enjoys tinkering with your car, deciding whether to buy new or used can be a difficult decision.

There is often a misconception that brand new parts are better since they’ve never been used before. However, there is no guarantee brand new parts will not have any problems, as irregular and defective parts leave the factory on a regular basis.

Before you take the plunge and purchase brand new parts, let’s take a look at a few of the advantages of going with used auto parts instead.  

Used Auto Parts Are More Affordable

It’s obvious that used parts will cost you less than new ones. However, many are often surprised by just how wide the price disparity can be. For instance, one can purchase a great used engine at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. This allows you to repair your car without taking a big hit to your wallet.

Used Auto Parts Are Readily Available

For the most part, used auto parts are easy to find. Parts from vehicles that have either been abandoned, scrapped, or in an accident are regularly saved. Therefore, regardless of the make and model of your vehicle, the chances of finding the parts you need are very high. 

Used Auto Parts Meet Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Standards

When you purchase new or after-market parts, they may not be identical to the parts originally manufactured by your automaker. This can be attributed to the fact that these parts are often produced by third parties. As a result, you won’t know if what you are getting for your vehicle is correct. However, when you purchase used parts that were taken from vehicles of the same make and model, you are getting parts that meet OEM standards, thus ensuring proper fit and function.

Find Great Used Auto Parts At Airline Auto Parts

As can be seen, there are many benefits to purchasing used auto parts. At Airline Auto Parts, we are committed to helping our customers find the parts they need, while providing great service. Contact Houston’s trusted salvage yard today for all your used and recycled auto parts needs.