Remember when a car's body and upholstery became so shabby that it was ready for
the scrap heap at an early age? Today, thanks to advancements in the plastics,
steel and paint industries, most vehicles look good and run well for hundreds
of thousands of miles. The active word is MOST. When circumstances call for it,
repowering becomes necessary, and, because the vehicle still looks good and other
components have many miles left in them, repowering should happen. Someone, either
the present owner or the next one, will give that vehicle new life.
The options are: Overhaul The Existing Engine
The technician strips the engine down to its block, does necessary reboring and
other machining to the block, crankshaft, cylinder heads, camshaft and valves,
replaces piston rings, gaskets and other necessary components and reassembles
the engine. Many shops perform this service with a parts kit that includes all
necessary components. Depending upon how much needs to be done, this job can be
performed with the engine in the vehicle or it can be removed.
Install A Used Engine
The down side of this is the risk factor. A salvage yard takes limited responsibility
for the engine. Warranty, if any, is very limited. Further, because replacing
an engine is labor intensive, you're probably dollars ahead to investigate a "reman".
A Remanufactured Engine
A remanufactured engine is an increasingly popular option.
In this case your vehicle is fitted with a production line engine identical to
or better than the original one. It has been completely disassembled; the cylinder
head, block, camshaft and crankshaft are inspected, resurfaced and/or renewed.
Quality control in manufacturing is critical among most of these suppliers. The
warranty usually is excellent.
A New Engine
A new engine is the ultimate option for the owner who can afford it. The benefits
over an overhaul or remanufactured engine are limited, however, seldom justifying
the additional cost.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Excessive oil consumption usually is because of worn piston rings or valve guides.
Your technician's test and inspection procedure can isolate the cause if it's
something else. A faulty PCV valve, for example, can cause oil burning and can
be replaced for a few dollars. A black, sooty deposit on the inside of the tail
pipe usually indicates oil burning.
Unusual Noises
Unusual noises, such as a rhythmic thumping at certain engine speeds, indicate
major engine wear. Ticking valves or rattling bearings are also bad omens. Power
loss, due to leaking piston rings or valves, also may be accompanied by decreasing
gas mileage.
In addition to those more common signs of major engine problems are: antifreeze
in the oil or oil in the cooling system, either of which can mean a cracked cylinder
head or block or, hopefully, nothing more serious than a leaking gasket. Oil fouled
spark plugs are a sure sign of oil burning.
The reasons for repowering vary widely. It could be as simple as abrasive grit
entering the system through a leak in the air filter; dirty oil, overheating;
a broken timing belt or a combination of several of the above. High mileage, of
course is the most common reason an engine wears out.
Motorists interested in finding out more about rebuilt engines, the intelligent
alternative, can log on www.repower.org. For STICKER SHOCK!, a free, informative
brochure, call toll free 1-866-4REPOWER (473-6937).
Brought to you as a public service by the Automotive Repower Council. Visit the
Council's web site: www.repower.org.
