Automotive Scrap

I tried searching, but did not find what I was looking for. Long time reader, new member. I work as a mechanic working on cars, trucks, heavy duty diesel trucks, and heavy equipment. I'm wondering about some of our commonly replaced parts. Such as ignition coils, spark plugs, plug wires, sensors etc. A lot of these get tossed in the trash. I have always separated drums/rotors or blocks for auto cast. I used to throw pads or axles into steel. Recently found out these can be sold to some core buyers. I have turned in alternators at the scrap yard and again found out they are worth more to core buyers. Looking for other areas I am missing or what to do with some more of the commonly replaced parts.

Water pumps is another item that comes to mind. Do they go with aluminum breakage or is there a better way to scrap them?

Starters, alternators and AC compressors can be sold to just about any core buyer. With aluminum being so low right now it's almost a guarantee that even a low price core buyer will be higher than what anyone is paying for Al breakage (don't forget to separate your Al breakage into low grade, mid grade and high grade according how much iron there is). Depending on your yard ignition coils may or may not be taken with transformers. Spark plugs go in your steel bin. Those big diesels might have valuable DPFs and some sensors have *A LOT* of scrap value. Check the buyers section here or other converter buyers for some of sensor prices. Radiators and condensors get Al rad price if clean. Ewaste buyers will buy ECMs. Hope this helps a little

Some (NOT ALL) alternators, starters, ac compressors, racks, turbos, injectors, computers, engines, transmissions, brake calipers, key fobs, throttle bodies, and a few other items are worth more than scrap.

I personally buy alternators for $.32 lb while most “scrap” yards buy them for electric motors at $.08 to $.15 cents per lb.