Do you Know What Does an Engine Rebuild Consist of?

Most vehicle owners have heard of an engine rebuild but not many really know what does an engine rebuild consist of and why it is compulsory. There are two main reasons for an engine rebuild:  

• Worn engine bearings -- The moving parts of the engine are mounted on bearings lubricated by the engine oil so that they move freely.  When the bearings become worn, they produce loud knocking sounds and can ultimately cause failure of the engine.  The bearings are actually built to last thousands of mines, but wear is accelerated when a vehicle is not maintained correctly and is run on low levels of oil or even dirty oil.  
• Poorly-sealed piston rings -- Piston rings to seal in the expanding gasses created by the burning of gasoline within the engine. As piston rings wear, they no longer seal the cylinders correctly, resulting in a phenomenon called "blow-by.”  Blow-by occurs when crankcase oil escapes past worn rings and is burned with the fuel mixture in the cylinder. This may be the reason that older engines have an unnecessary amount of smoke in the exhaust.

What does an engine rebuild consist of?  First, the "short block" or lower half of the engine is removed, disassembled, and then cleaned so that the condition of the block can be correctly assessed. Depending on the condition of the external parts of the engine, the piston rings, bearings and occasionally the pistons themselves are replaced. The internal surfaces of the cylinders are also reconditioned to ensure that the new piston rings can form a correct seal with the cylinder walls. The cylinder head may also be renovated at a similar time.

Do you understand the benefits of an engine rebuild? First, you know that everything has been closely checked and now has new parts. Second, the worn parts are recycled to help reduce the amount of scrap in the environment.  The third, and the best, the benefit is the connectivity and compatibility with the existing ECU and electrical system. 

Do you want to know more about what does an engine rebuild consist of?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about engine service and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.