Replacing the alternator in a Subaru Legacy
November 14th, 2008If you have bought a used or new Subaru Legacy Alternator from the CarSpareFinder system, here is a simple guide of how to replace your chosen alternator.
If you have bought a used or new Subaru Legacy Alternator from the CarSpareFinder system, here is a simple guide of how to replace your chosen alternator.
It may from America, but here is some advice of how to tune that engine, although in this case more of older cars
The 2 main types of Car Engines
The Petrol Engine
A Petrol Engine operates on the principle of combustion. A fuel/air mixture is pulled into a cylinder, the cylinder is then closed off and the piston is thrust upwards to create compression. A spark is introduced to igninte the mixture to create combustion to thrust the piston downward in the engine block.
In an car engine there can be a number of pistons, usually this is between 4-12 cylinders depending on the design. The pistons are then connected to a crankshaft through a connecting rod. Pistons then fire consecutively to rotate the crankshaft inside the engine block. The oil pump then pushes oil through the oil filterwhich then supplies oil to the car engine parts including the crank and camshaft, cylinder walls and piston rings, valve train and cam lifters, also the timing gears or chain. Motor oil is then used to lubricate and cool internal engine parts. Oil is then pumped up through the engine, and then returns to the bottom of the engine and is gathered in the oil pan.
What is the difference between the Petrol and the Diesel Car Engine. Diesels use direct fuel injection in preference to the using of carburation or port fuel injection. This is then more enviromentally friendly, more efficient and off course cheaper to run. This is a typical diesel engine.
We have been busy with several projects over the last few months here at CarSpareFinder. One of them has been CarEngineFinder which is another site similar tom this but specifically designed to get car engine buyers onboard.
You may be asking what that has got to do with you as a buyer, well the truth is, the more buyers we attract the more car engine suppliers we attract also, giving you the consumer a bigger choice and a better chance to compare prices and for that hard to get car engine, as possibility of finding that what you want and need at a good price. The reality is the more you use the service, the more the suppliers of car parts will give you all even better prices and the more you can compare so we all win.
Car Parts suppliers like to use systems that have lots of requests, which we are easily doing, but by attracting more buyers of car engines, we can attract an even greater range keeping you happy.
The site has been live for a few months now and is now attracting some substantial consumers, so we are on track to achieve our goals, to satisfy all types of car part buyers, whether it be for a light lens or a complete engine, we want the car part suppliers on board to keep you happy.
So if you are searching through Google one day and come across CarEngineFinder, do not be scared away use the Service as you would CarSpareFinder, so we can help you find that right engine for you.
Because of the success of CarSpareFinder we have been looking to see if we could capitalise on other areas of the world. Of course we have to consider the USA and their car parts market out there. Of course they say “Auto Parts” and in fact so many other terminologies are different for example
Gas is Petrol
Hood Is Bonnet
Trunk Is Boot
Fender is Bumper
And many more examples from a country that we thought spoke the same language.
The car parts market in the USA is huge and is at least 6 times greater in size than here in the UK, but doesn’t just focus on cars parts but also spares for RV’S (recreational Vehicles), pick up trucks, (for many years the Ford f150 was the best selling vehicle in America) and of course before the recent petrol rise, most cars over there are far bigger than here back at home.
We are currently working on a plan that may see a car parts adventure in the USA, with us attempting to set up an American Auto Parts site, to see how things go. We do know that most used car parts over there are sold through Junk yards our equivalent of breaker yards, so the process is probably the same with shipping likely to go right across the States, but with different local taxes and laws within each State.
It is not a definite yet, as we still have along way to go putting you in touch with the sellers of car parts in the UK, but it is on the drawing board, so watch you guys who have American cars and want to buy car parts from across the pond.
It is an unfortunate fact but may of us only consider the reliability of our car after we breakdown. We only consider buying those car parts at the point where the old ones have failed, you speak to any breakdown cover engineer and he will confirm this. If we were a bit more proactive with our planning and bought our car parts before they failed, that breakdown cover service would be getting fewer call outs.
With the internet giving us access to pretty much everything including the common faults of your car and the likely hood of when a certain car part will fail, you could actually get the ball rolling and spend some time getting quotes on that chosen car part, to ensure that when the worst did occur, your had your car part already in the garage or possibly even in the car, for that breakdown cover man to repair.
Of course actually fitting the replacement car part before a failure, would be the ideal situation to ensure happier motoring. When you ask for a car parts quote through CarSpareFinder it is important you ask for enough information to ensure that car part you have bought, is new or has less wear than the one you are about to replace. No pint in buying and putting a part on that has more chance of failure that the old one.
The good news is that most of the breakers on the CarSpareFinder system do offer warranties on the Car Parts they sell, so if a breakdown were to occur later, you could get back to that particular parts supplier. So the message is clear, think ahead, know what the weaknesses of your car is and if necessary buy those car parts early to save the stress later and avoid those breakdown cover men if you can help it.
There may be credit crunch on but one this certain, there is still a demand for Mercedes Car parts within the UK. This rules still applies to salvage cars also, it is if there is a still a demand for certain vehicles, consumers are being stricter than ever with their decisions and Mercedes still seem to be part of what they want. There is a talk that certain high MPG car models are selling as well, so you would assume the Mercedes would fall into that category, but this is just not true. There is a belief out there that they can get their dream Mercedes car cheaper than ever, which in turn is compensating for the downturn in the market with a high demand.
There is no doubt that Mercedes car parts are also on the up too. Many consumers wanting to get original Mercedes car parts, not cheaper imported ones, which in fact go against Mercedes policies for building cars in the first place. The more popular versions at the moment is the C Class with a greater demand on Diesel than petrol models. The ironic things is, if you do not do that much mileage, it would be better for you to buy the petrol version, as it will take some time to catch up with the extra premium paid to get a good diesel car. This is reflected in Mercedes car parts also, with a greater demand for diesel engine parts than petrol, not sure if this is a good thing or bad thing, but clearly consumers are happy wit their car parts from CarSpareFinder as we are seeing many coming back, week after week.
These Mercedes cars are not just for a year or so, with good maintenance they can last a lifetime and often do. Just take a look at the prices of classic Mercedes and you will see why so many people still want one, even when there is a credit crunch around.
It doesn’t seem to matter what you read or watch on TV, everything now seems to be either green or aiming to be. Well what I mean by this. Well even the latest Formula One race had tyres with eth green lines to prove how they were made, there is also a site that will tell you how green your car is, call what green car.
Of course this can all apply to the car parts industry also and what can be more green that reusing this car parts that just happen to be on a salvage car, but have plenty live in that individual unit. Anyone with a car background will not see anything new in buying used car parts from their local scrap or beaker yard as it was always the cheapest way of getting good quality spares. But not there is another reason that many believe is more important than saving a bit of money and that is the green argument, that buying reusable car parts will do you bit to save the planet.
There is another green argument and that is how much less green notes you will spend by using CarSpareFinder to order your reusable car parts, not only are they cheaper but in most cases are the genuine parts not copies that you may end up with if you went to your local car accessory shop.
The saving can be huge when dealing with manufactures like BMW or Mercedes who’s car parts can be very expensive direct from the dealer, which is why many head to get replica parts to save some money. So let’s summarise
Parts are much cheaper
They tend to be genuine parts
They help with the environment
Seems like a no brainer to me
The Financial Times (27 Sep 08) reported that Motor World, the new car parts and accessories group, has gone into administration, with the loss of 300 jobs. The Administrators, BDO Stoy Hayward, have closed 40% of its national UK network of car parts retail units.
Pacific Retail has purchased the bulk of Motor World car parts shops (approximately 135). What factors brought about Motor World’s demise? Well several scenarios have been put forward, but I can tell you some of mine. Analysts point to the worst UK Automotive trading figures this summer, since the 1960’s. Did not the rising demand for car parts on the internet, using systems like CarSpareFinder, play a major factor?
This week (1 Oct 08) the Automotive Industry learned that Wembley based Euro Car Parts, one of biggest suppliers of vehicle parts in the UK has taken over a Yorkshire competitor, the excellent Sheffield based LSUK. It claims this move will protect the future of 600 jobs. LSUK’s has over 50 car parts outlets and subsidiaries M I Diesel Products, Protech Automotive (UK) and Yeovil Rewind.
Likewise, the UK Automotive Car, Van and Bike Parts sectors, perhaps mirroring the Global banking industry, is involved in widespread consolidation as firms reorganise and reposition themselves to deal with any downturn in the Global economy. The internet is providing the growth area for car parts, and maintains its volumes despite the obvious slowdown on the high street. The high cost of fuel and transport is another factor online driving car parts sales. The single biggest factor has to be the time saving, the ease and simplicity of locating and purchasing car parts online, and as importantly, the outstanding value-for-money in purchasing used car parts are the principal ‘drivers’ of revenue growth. The UK Dismantlers and breakers, like those members of the CarSpareFinder Business Community, are best able to take advantage of the new opportunities for car parts sales, supported by an ever increasingly sophisticated next day delivery courier network which delivers very good customer service and achieves the high levels of customer satisfaction enjoyed by CarSpareFinder breaker clients, and consumers alike.
The turmoil this month (Sep 08) in the US Financial markets, leading to further downward pressure on the UK economy and the UK Automotive industry in particular has played a part in strengthening the used car part sector.
The UK Motor industry has seen a sharp fall in the value of used vehicles this summer and autumn, and it is much more than in previous years. Some estimates of car depreciation put the drop as much as 25-30% of new and nearly new vehicles for this year alone.
Cars worst affected are the large 4 x 4s and the bigger family cars. In April 2009 the new VED (Vehicle Excise Duty) comes into effect, which aligns heavy fuel consumption to the Government’s new green taxes structure.
The slowdown in the car market has been caused by the Global Recession and the continuing fear of rising Interest rates and inflation. However the interesting factor here for us is the positive affect on the car parts sector as a whole, and the continuing demand for used car parts and parts location services (like CarSpareFinder), in particular.
People are holding off buying a new car, or replacing it. There is evidence of extending the ownership of car from new, from 3 years to 4 years or more. Linked b y cause and effect is an increasing demand for replacement car and van parts, and the consumer desire to extend the life, value and quality of car and light commercial lifetime ownership.
Is this upward trend in demand for used car parts a ‘flash in the pan’ or is it likely to remain for sometime?
It appears there are 2 main factors which are behind the present strong demand for car parts, unlike many other industries (retail, diy and home furnishings, financial service and holiday sectors) who have all seen a very sharp fall in business.
Firstly, people are being charged too much to borrow the money they need to fund their spending e.g. purchase of a new car. Secondly, vehicle depreciation, which can be many hundred of pounds sterling a month, has gone into ‘free fall’. It has surprised even the Automotive Industry experts just how fast it has happened, with larger cars with bigger engines being the worst affected.
What might be influencing the used car parts marketplace?
· 4 x 4 and Large family car owners may be reluctant to ‘write off’ the value of their cars if they trade it in. By hanging on to the car, their requirements for replacement parts increases (crash repairs, new bulbs, tyres, replacement engines and gearboxes etc.)
· When they need parts, they are much more inclined to accept a genuine recycled part (e.g. engine, gearbox, body panel) of a similar age and condition to their present car.
· Cheap counterfeit car parts from Eastern Europe and the Far East, has a counter effect on consumer demand for genuine used car parts from establish UK breakers and dismantlers.
· Less newer cars means that the demand for used cars is greater, which means that more garages and mobile mechanics are attracted to doing up cars and bringing them to market. This increases demand in the motor trade for used car parts.
· Demand for scrap metal in the UK is increasing due to the demand for metals from the growing Indian and Chinese industries, encouraging cars to be scrapped using services like scrap-car which is a free service offered by CarSpareFinder to the General Public and UK breakers and dismantlers.