Good car scrapyard?

dvaey said :

Part of the reason for the disappearance of local wreckers is due to legislation passed a couple of years ago, requiring all wreckers to keep records of every part in their lot.

While that might stop re-birthing of late-model cars, theres no way a wrecker thats been around for a few years (ie. several that closed about 5 years ago) can provide documentation for every door, panel, wheel, etc they have off old corollas or dattos in their lot.

So, in a way it IS an issue facing readers, being unable to easily get parts for their older vehicles at low cost.

What damned stupid unthoughtout legislation!! So, if I want to replace the fuel door flap then 99% sure I’ll have to buy a new one??! While some land-fill gets filled with the very spare-part I need. Bl**dy stupid; when are we going to get politicians with IQs greater than 3. Boy am I angry now, might find some toys to chuck out of my pram.

ex-vectis said :

Hmmm, I need to learn more about car AirCon compressors – IE. Why they decide to stop compressing! I was just going to get a compressor and get the service garage (Gombers – great place, even if they do need a good receptionist; Dave should stick to what he is [very!] good at…)to fit it.

What makes you think that you need to replace the a/c compressor? And what equipment were you planning on using to safely and legally evacuate the refrigerant from the system when you removed the compressor from an old car in a wrecking yard? (Noting that it’s very much illegal to vent R134a into the atmosphere).

Anyway:
You just need to have the existing system in your car re-gassed. More than likely your existing compressor is absolutely fine. Even if it isn’t, a wreckers is the absolute last place I’d ever consider buying a replacement from. A proper flush, regas and service (replace orifice tube and any seals/o-rings) should only run you a few hundred bucks. The system needs a proper inspection by a professional regardless – if there’s a leaking hose/seal/o-ring/whatever there’s no point in just re-gassing, as it’ll leak out straight away.

The reason they ‘stop compressing’ is because car a/c systems are fitted with low pressure cutout switches, so when the system gets low on gas (as mentioned in other replies, it leaks out from the system slowly over the years) the compressor won’t kick in and destroy itself due to low/no refrigerant. ‘Destroy itself?’ you say? – Yes. As well as cooling the a/c vents, the refrigerant also cools the compressor, AND also ‘carries’ the oil for lubrication of the compressor. Think of it as a self-preservation circuit – No cooling and no lubrication results in a rapid death for the compressor, and a needlessly expensive repair bill.

FWIW – I highly recommend ‘The Battery Terminal’ at the Jamison Centre in Macquarie for auto a/c service and repairs. They know their stuff and do things properly the first time.

(I have no affiliation with them, aside from being a happy customer with several cars over the years).

ex-vectis said :

Hmmm, I need to learn more about car AirCon compressors – IE. Why they decide to stop compressing!

With my very limited understanding, usually the issue isn’t so much that the compressor stops working, but rather the refrigerant gas in the system leaks out. This can be replaced, but I believe it is a rather costly exercise.

If the compressor is actually non-functional, I suspect that the process involved in replacing it would also require replacing the gas, hence also not cheap.

If you’re looking for old car parts your best bet is either ANU (particularly along Daley Road) or Braddon (along where the government housing is)

ex-vectis said :

In the replies, the places mentioned and places that have already dismantled vehicles. Is there anywhere that allows customers to rock up with a toolbox and dismantle the bits they want themselves (paying before leaving obviously!)?

The places mentioned have partly dismantled vehicles, as you wont find many wreckers that have 100% complete cars, unless theyve just arrived on a tow-truck, and even then chances are good its not 100%.

As to the next question, unfortunately not. A lot of wrecking yards are dangerous places, often with cars stacked upon each other, broken glass, sharp broken metal parts, etc. The liability issue is just scary, and due to insurance problems wreckers wont let you just wander around like in the old days.

ex-vectis said :

Hmmm, I need to learn more about car AirCon compressors – IE. Why they decide to stop compressing! I was just going to get a compressor and get the service garage (Gombers – great place, even if they do need a good receptionist; Dave should stick to what he is [very!] good at…)to fit it.

So, you dont think you can fit the part, but you think you can remove it from another vehicle? On the one hand, you talk about wanting to do a service job on the cheap, the on the other hand you talk about removing a part, and taking the new part to a shop to get fitted. Getting back to the original question though, there are numerous reasons why your compressor might have given up the ghost, and its probably worth getting it looked at before replacing it, no point replacing the whole compressor if only the clutch is gone, for example.

Thanks guys (ghughes constructive advice ignored – theres always one! lol). Apologies for not replying earlier, I’ll let this thread know the outcome (if anyone else wants old bits and bobs).

In the replies, the places mentioned and places that have already dismantled vehicles. Is there anywhere that allows customers to rock up with a toolbox and dismantle the bits they want themselves (paying before leaving obviously!)?

Hmmm, I need to learn more about car AirCon compressors – IE. Why they decide to stop compressing! I was just going to get a compressor and get the service garage (Gombers – great place, even if they do need a good receptionist; Dave should stick to what he is [very!] good at…)to fit it.

Thanks again all!

Demolition Derby!

laraeddy said :

I have a very large heap of …. in the shape of a Mondeo wagon if anyone has any creative ways of getting rid of it – vaguely legally !

Freecycle 😉

Ive always had good service from Queanbeyan Auto Dismantlers, just near the bridge on Yass Rd. Generally wreckers wont let you just wander around looking for parts these days because of the liability issues, but you might get lucky if you ask the guy in a good mood.

Part of the reason for the disappearance of local wreckers is due to legislation passed a couple of years ago, requiring all wreckers to keep records of every part in their lot.

While that might stop re-birthing of late-model cars, theres no way a wrecker thats been around for a few years (ie. several that closed about 5 years ago) can provide documentation for every door, panel, wheel, etc they have off old corollas or dattos in their lot.

So, in a way it IS an issue facing readers, being unable to easily get parts for their older vehicles at low cost.

+ another 1, Snarky – and to ghughes, I don’t think this is a competition for time or ratings, so I hope RA can accommodate both.

As a temporarily ex-Tasmanian, both heads are kinda missing all the ‘mates network’ of knowing stuff, so I’ve found some of these posts (including this one) useful. BTW – on that front, I have a very large heap of …. in the shape of a Mondeo wagon if anyone has any creative ways of getting rid of it – vaguely legally !

And Skinbladnir – lol, but really don’t know if I can think ‘pram’ and end up with German industrialist in a Mercedes !

LBNL – been a regular reader but nothing-much contributor, so great to see johnboy back doing regular stuff on here – it’s going to be ‘king good.