The engine is the main unit of the car, so manufacturers provide a significant resource for its operation. However, the engine often fails much earlier than expected. In case of significant breakdowns, it is necessary to perform a major overhaul of the engine.
This involves its complete disassembly and defect detection with the replacement and restoration of all worn and damaged components. Such engine repair requires quite high costs. However, if performed professionally, it allows you to completely restore the power unit and extend its service life, which fully covers the costs.
Signs of breakdowns
Engine repair is required if:
- You notice knocking or unusual noises coming from the engine;
- The check engine light is constantly illuminated;
- There is a significant drop in engine performance or power;
- You experience rough idling or frequent stalling;
- Excessive smoke is coming from the exhaust;
- You observe oil or coolant leaks under your vehicle;
- The engine overheats regularly;
- Fuel efficiency has decreased noticeably;
- There’s a strong, unusual smell coming from the engine bay;
- The vehicle has trouble starting or doesn’t start at all;
- The vehicle accelerates sluggishly. A critical condition is observed when the loss of power reaches 25%.;
- Oil pressure drops. The icon is displayed on the instrument panel, so it is difficult not to notice the signal;
- The start is uncertain, the revs fluctuate;
- The exhaust smoke becomes thick and turns blue;
- Carbon deposits on spark plugs, visible to the naked eye – terry, with small grains. The more grayish grains, the closer the end of the internal combustion engine;
- A dull, sharp knock from connecting rod bearings when idling;
- Pulsation in the hose for removing gases from the crankcase. The frequency of pulsation increases in accordance with the growth of revolutions. In a normal process, such a dependence is not observed.
The appearance of alarming signs does not necessarily lead to immediate failure of the device. Similar symptoms are present when there is no need for a major overhaul of the engine – the electronics are acting up, there are power outages, the automatic transmission is faulty.
Why is an engine overhaul required?
The need for engine repair most often arises for the following reasons:
- Excessive wear and tear on engine components;
- Loss of compression in one or more cylinders;
- Overheating due to cooling system failure;
- Severe oil contamination or sludge buildup;
- Broken or damaged pistons, rings, or valves;
- Timing belt or chain failure;
- Major oil leaks causing insufficient lubrication;
- Engine knocking or unusual noises indicating internal damage;
- Reduced engine power and performance;
- High mileage leading to general engine deterioration;
- Use of low-quality fuel;
- Untimely oil change or its low quality;
- Violation of requirements for the maintenance of internal combustion engines.
In addition, in some cases, premature engine repair, if we are talking about inexpensive brands, may be required as a result of a manufacturing defect.
Basic principles of engine repair
Without an engine, no car can be used normally. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out its timely repair, adhering to the basic principles. There are many characteristic features in engine repair that are known only to professionals. Therefore, it is reasonable to entrust the work to them.
Basic rules and principles of car engine repair
Engine maintenance plays a very important role. You cannot operate the car without paying due attention to the power unit. It is important to change the oil and components in a timely manner. The price for a major engine overhaul can be quite impressive. Therefore, it is better not to bring it to such a state. Sometimes it is possible to do surface work without major intervention. There are a number of situations that you may require repair work:
- Engine overheating frequently;
- Unusual noises like knocking or ticking;
- Loss of power or poor acceleration;
- Excessive smoke from the exhaust;
- Oil or coolant leaks;
- Check engine light stays on;
- Difficulty starting the engine;
- Poor fuel efficiency;
- Rough idling or stalling;
- Visible damage to engine components;
- Production of the unit;
- Mechanical damage;
- Malfunctions due to poor maintenance or incorrect settings, etc.
There are also several types of repairs, including scheduled, unscheduled, and routine. Each has its own unique features. Scheduled repairs are major engine repairs. When certain mileage indicators are reached, it becomes irreplaceable. Each unit has a specific resource. When it is exhausted, outside intervention is indispensable.
You need to carry out unscheduled work in case of a sudden breakdown. They are often required due to improper operation, untimely maintenance, etc. Technicians perform technical repairs during maintenance of the entire vehicle. It involves replacing worn-out elements.
Many are interested in major engine repairs, when to do them and where to go. The best option would be to undergo regular maintenance. As a result, it is easy to monitor the condition of the power unit and make the right decisions.
Diagnostics makes it possible to determine the condition and understand the need for repairs, which can be mechanical and electronic. If specialists identify problems, they select a strategy for performing the work.
Engine repair: stages of work
Major engine repairs are one of the most labor-intensive and expensive items in car maintenance. Its cost is explained by the involvement of specialists of various profiles and the high complexity of repair work. But even considering the scale, the price of a major repair is 5-6 times lower than the cost of a new engine.
Major repairs are a complete restoration of the engine’s functionality, which involves replacing worn-out parts. The work involves all parts of the unit: piston group, cylinder block, crank mechanism, crankshaft.
The operations that occur during the repair of an internal combustion engine are divided into several stages:
🔧 Dismantling the internal combustion engine
Carefully dismantle the internal combustion engine to access and inspect its internal components. Ensure each part is labeled and stored systematically for efficient reassembly and repair.
🕵️♂️ Defect detection
Identifying the degree of wear and condition of parts. During the work, professionals measure the cylinders, gaps, check the cylinder, and assess the degree of wear of all elements. After that they compare the obtained data with factory parameters.
🔁 Replacement or restoration of worn and damaged parts
For example, during cylinder head repair, they ground the cylinder head plane, and restore the worn valve seats. They also eliminate the cracks, and replace the burnt valves, valve stem seals, etc..
🧪 Assembly and testing
Assembly of the engine and further testing before installation.
Initial Start-Up and System Configuration
Technicians run the engine during idle start-up to grind in new parts, evaluate the unit’s operation, and adjust and configure the systems.
📝 Note:
Major engine repairs performed by professionals double the engine life. One of the important criteria for long-term operation of the repaired unit is proper running-in. During this, specialists recommend warming up the engine before driving, avoiding sudden stops and accelerations, engine braking, driving in high gears, and towing.
Suspect engine trouble? Don’t wait until it fails!
Important Adviсe on car engine repair
The resources of the mechanism of 2 car owners can differ significantly. How long it will take to repair the power unit depends on the nature of operation. To extend the service life of the device, adhere to several general rules for car maintenance:
- Refuel your car at trusted stations. This guarantees the quality of the fuel.
- Fill in oil that is more viscous than the standard in summer. In this case, the thickness of the lubricating film will prevent strong friction of planes and protect parts from premature aging. In winter cold, preferably compounds with reduced viscosity. The lubricant will quickly pump, which will eliminate the risk of oil starvation of critical structures.
- When adding lubricant, follow the recommendations. It is advisable to use compounds of proven brands, despite the high price. Change the engine oil more often!
- Fill only with reliable brake fluid. Monitor the level to avoid overheating. Sudden temperature changes lead to boiling and an emergency situation.
- If filtration is poor, replace the filter without waiting for the scheduled maintenance.
- Don’t leave your vehicle parked for months. The price of prolonged downtime is transmission deterioration.
- Do not overload with high revs during short trips.
- Avoid fast driving with sudden braking.
- Do not skimp on purchasing spare parts, and also do not install components of dubious origin and quality.
- Do not trust engine repair to amateurs without specialized auto repair shop, contact specialists with a good level of training.
- Visit the car service in a timely manner for diagnostics of the “stuffing”, correction of minor defects. An experienced mechanic will understand even after the initial inspection that it is time to carry out a major overhaul of the car engine.
Final Words
Follow simple rules to avoid untimely repair of the power unit – this will reduce the load on the engine, eliminate the risk of failures. Try not to overload the car, avoid towing, and work under tension. Even before a short trip, be sure to warm up. Do not practice sharp braking and acceleration, do not pick up speed on problem areas, do not accelerate off-road.
It is difficult to say how long the internal combustion engine will work without problems. But most car services provide a guarantee for a thousand kilometers of mileage, and provide the maintenance on time.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs) about engine repair
You may need a major engine overhaul if you notice knocking noises, loss of power, thick blue exhaust smoke, frequent overheating, oil leaks, or the check engine light staying on. A significant drop in fuel efficiency or difficulty starting the engine are also red flags.
Premature engine failure is often caused by poor maintenance, low-quality oil, overheating, using low-grade fuel, ignoring warning signs, or skipping scheduled service. Manufacturing defects can also be a factor in some vehicles.
In most cases, a professional engine overhaul is much more cost-effective than replacing the engine. A rebuild can restore engine performance and double its lifespan at a fraction of the cost of a new engine.
A major engine overhaul includes disassembly, defect detection, restoration or replacement of worn parts, reassembly, testing, and configuration. This process fully restores the engine’s performance and reliability when done by trained professionals.
After an engine overhaul, extend its life by using high-quality oil, following a proper break-in process, avoiding sudden accelerations, keeping up with scheduled maintenance, and fueling up only at trusted stations. Regular diagnostics are also essential.