Friday, October 11, 2013
Reasons to Rebuild an Engine
The engine is the heart of any vehicle and needs to be maintained to function properly. Unforeseen problems or lack of maintenance may be a cause for complete engine failure. When an engine ceases to perform as expected, it will either need to be rebuilt or replaced.
Economic Reasons for Rebuilding vs. Replacing an Engine
In some cases it may be more economically advantageous to rebuild an engine over replacing it when the engine fails. Depending on the model of the engine, overhaul kits are available from local auto parts stores which include all the parts necessary to rebuild the engine. The owner will need to obtain pricing on a replacement engine versus an engine rebuild kit. Replacement engines can be more expensive to purchase, though the time needed to install a replacement engine is often shorter the time needed to rebuild an engine.
Catastrophic Failure
Catastrophic failures in engines typically result from lack of maintenance. Running the engine out of oil will cause the pistons to seize, while a lack of anti-freeze will cause the engine to overheat and crack the cylinder head. In both cases, the engine will need to be rebuilt since the damage is extensive.
Lack of Power
Piston rings consist of two oil rings and a compression ring. When the piston rings begin to wear, the engine begins to suffer from lack of power. In this case, the pistons will need to be removed and the rings replaced. Economically, the owner should consider a rebuild at this point because the engine is open and the major components that need to be accessed during an engine rebuild are already exposed.
Determining How Much to Spend
For some engines, rebuild kits are available but for others individual parts will need to ordered. Rebuild kits consist of pistons, rod and main bearings, plus the relevant gaskets for the valve cover and oil pan. The owner will need to calculate the cost of the rebuild kit and the labor to perform the job versus a replacement engine and the labor to install it. If the rebuild kit and labor are over 50 percent of the cost and labor of a replacement engine, then the engine should be replaced.
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