Switched my opinion on junkyard transmissions after that 03 Civic swap

Used to swear by buying remanufactured transmissions online, figured junkyard ones were just a gamble. Then my buddy in Phoenix pulled a 2003 Civic transmission with 80k miles for $150 from a Pick-n-Pull, bolted it in, and it's been solid for 2 years now. What convinced me was watching him inspect the fluid color and do a quick spin test before pulling it - way more upfront work but saved $600 over a rebuild. Anyone else had luck with a specific yard or model year that's known for reliable junkyard parts?

2 comments

2 Comments

grace_perry445d ago

Pulled a transmission from a 2001 Camry at a yard in Denver once, fluid looked like old motor oil but I was desperate and it was $90. Threw it in my beater and it shifted fine for like 3 years before I sold the car. The trick is to bring your own battery and jumper cables to test the solenoids right there, most yards will let you if you ask nice. That 03 Civic is a tank though, I've seen those things go 300k on the original drivetrain if you don't beat on them.

leep335d ago

Hold up, is it really that deep? I mean yeah, a $90 transmission that lasted 3 years is a win, but you got lucky more than anything. Dirty fluid like that is a red flag for internal wear, not a flex. Most junkyard trannies are a gamble unless you're pulling from a car you know was maintained, and even then it's a crap shoot. I've seen guys swap in a "tested" trans only to have it blow a seal a month later because they didn't flush the cooler lines. And that Civic tank thing? Yeah they're reliable but 300k is still a lot of miles on any drivetrain. I'd rather spend a little more on a known unit than roll the dice on mystery fluid and hope for the best.

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