INTRODUCTION

There's a perceived misconception about the pros and cons of engine rebuild/reconditioning, regarding engines.

I think this myth, has being further aggravated, by the experiences car owners might have had in the past.

Some of these car owners, have confided in us that they don't just see how a rebuilt engine could stand the test of time.

Our responses has always being, "if you've got the right parts, and skills set, no engine, no matter its configuration that cannot be overhauled the right way".

While some section of the population (car owners), consider it to be a waste of time, and maybe perhaps, the costs of such an endeavor, might, in economic terms, exceed cost of a purchased used engine, these set of owners prefer giving it a quick shot(we need a used or Tokunbo engine).

However, you've got those at the other side of the divide, who, considering the cost of buying a used engine, would prefer to have their engine completely rebuilt.

There are tremendous advantages to having engines rebuilt or reconditioned.

In my view, not just the business opportunity that opens to us, but I'd prefer a rebuilt of an existing engine, than have a used one, whose history, specifically the critical engine components, I am not prevy to know.

HERE ARE SOME FEW BENEFITS YOU'D STAND TO GAIN FROM AN ENGINE REBUILD.

1. Depending on the kind of overhauls or rebuild being executed, some, or all critical engine components such as the piston rings, crankshaft front and rear seals, top cylinder head gasket, water pump, oil pressure pump, etc, are replaced.

Some of these components have got scheduled maintenance schedules for their replacements.

This isn't applicable in an already used engine.
In some instances we've seen, some engines that were certified OK bases on external assessment, have being found to be a "harbinger" of problems, such as excessive exhaust smoke, and the likes.

Hey, there was a case we've got to return a used (Tokunbo) engine back to a vendor, to get a replacement, or make a refund of payments made. But I guess you all know its somewhat difficult, getting ones money back, after such purchase are made.

2. Rebuilt engines saves you the discomfort that might accompany one buying a used engine, whose internal engine components are questionable.

Just as I have mentioned above, some vendors, would never accept the refund of payments made after purchase.

These guys too, in my view, are gambling with their investment, if, I mean, some, go ahead and make refunds.

You'd be welcomed to the club of "come today, come tomorrow" "exercise".

That would crippled their business, and put them at a "terribly" perceives loss.

If you've done businesses in Ladipo, Lagos, Nigeria, you'd understand the narrative I have painted.


3. You get to derived almost the same benefits you'd get from a brand new engine.

Although, this would only be achievable in the longterm, if genuine rebuilt kits are used, and rebuilt engine procedures are followed wholly.

Used engines (or what Nigerians would call Tokunbo engines), have already being used. The internal engine's components have already undergone some degree of tear and wear.

So, wherever the engine was imported from, without the consumer, actually ascertaining the degree of wear and tear of such an engine, the end user standards the risks of maintenance cost overruns, in future.

4. You have the opportunity to assessed everything on the engine( cylinder heads for hairline cracks, engine bore diameters, piston ring tolerances, engine mounts, etc).

That isn't offered when you buy a used engine.
Its a 50/50 chance for you. Its like a gambling game, you know!?

DISADVANTAGE OF OVERHAULS

The only disadvantage I can possibly envisage is that its TIME DEPENDENT.
You've got to be patient for your technician to carry out the job.

Its not a rushing kind of job.

DO NOT RUSH WHO DIES THE JOB FOR YOU, AND DON'T TRY TO COME LECTURE THEM.

WHY SHOULD YOU REBUILD AN ENGINE?

1. More cheaper, and sustainable

2. Provides you the ability to track down on valuable data of newly installed parts.

SUSTAINABLE ENGINE REBUILDING

Trying to "delete" some of the "its impossible to rebuild an engine, files from their system" (mind), is kind of difficult.

But we hope some of the justifications above, would help with that formidable tasks.

1. Source for genuine rebuild engine kits.
These days, it's easy to get aftermarket parts from different companies in the market.

Be extremely careful when sourcing for parts, because these are the critical decider of how your car's engine would last.

Any use of fake parts, in the name of cheap
cost, would definitely bring you back to ground zero, where you'd never wanted to be.

2. Procedural skill set. Like we've reintegrated in the beginning of this write up, engine rebuild isn't the know-how of everyone. You've got technicians/professionals, that have spent years doing rebuilds.

Ensure you, or tour technician, gas got the basic skills in engine overhauls.

Cleanliness is the key to lasting rebuilds.
Use enough of solvents for engine components wash.

Petrol, as a solvent has a powerful degreasing ability, and can penetrate through micropores.
Lubricating oils, and overhauling repair tools should be free from dirty environments.

3. During or and after engine overhauls, ensure all critical engine components are thoroughly lubricated.

Insufficient lubrication is the surest way to accelerate engine wear and tear, during INITIAL START-UP after an overhaul.

4. Engines should be allowed to steam up, for say, 1-2hours. At least, this is how I achieve my engine rebuilds, by allowing the engine to run for such a duration.

Main benefit of this practice is to ensure the new engine parts replaced go through an static loading as its running.

5. Go for a test drive, after everything has being checked and confirmed OK.

PS:

***During start-up, you might notice the engine takes a longer time to start, while its being cranked.
Simple reason is that the engine is gradually/building up pressures that would be required to complete its various stages of strokes.

***Unnecessary sounds might come up, but gradually decreases as time goes on.

Limiting such noises can be achieved, by ensuring that there was proper attention given to the critical engine components, like the pistons rings, crankshaft journals, valve trains up the cylinder heads, and so on, by lubricating them during installation.




CONCLUSION
Just like I have stated, all engines can be overhauled(rebuilt), but not every engine can be rebuilt.

So, the next time you've got an engine problem, don't just weigh only the cost of buying a used engine, but this time around, include the cost of getting that engine rebuilt.

Some of the engines being showcased as used engines in the market, are rebuilt ones. But its being camouflaged in such a way it appears as Tokunbo to you.

Remember whatever makes you want to replace your engine with a used one, should be the justification for why your engine should (can) be rebuilt.

PSS:
We would be treating various engine rebuilt scenarios as time goes on on this thread.





CASE STUDY.
Below was a Previa that whose engine was rebuilt.

COMPLAINTS

** excessive greyish smoke from the tail pipe when driving

**engine makes clunking and rattling noise at every startup

**engine oil shortages below the L line.

DISCOVERIES

Engine disassembled, and discovered

** worn piston rings
** brittle front and rear crankshaft oil seals
** worn crankshaft journal bearings
**broken crankshaft position sensor
**clogged engine oil strainer
**one sided corroded top cylinder head
**elongated timing chain
.
.
.........infinity?? No.


THE FIX?

Got new parts for the above, asides the top cylinder that was replaced with a used one, after bench testing it for leaks, and straightness.


Regards,
Joseph
08066643532(call/WhatsApp)
DW Nig Ltd
Lagos

There is no such thing as an unbuildable engine if you have access to parts and know how.

There is a value to some of us in maintaining matching factory numbers on "some" of our vehicles.

For example, a Heritage Certificate from the factory will list what engine number came on a particular car.

I don't intend to get into engine/trans rebuilding so I hope someone else can pick up that baton.

PS: Cylinder heads can be welded and ground for straightness.

@Egunmogagi. You're definitely right. Right parts and the skill set is the key. Thanks for the knout

@Egunmogagi. If you take a closer look at that top cylinder head, you'd realised it had some crack as a result of corrosion.

It was welded initially. That's the patch you see kinda black in colour.

Nice piece.

Whenever someone argues about the 'superior' benefit of buying used engine, remind him that few days or weeks ago, he had 'good' used engine.

The key is rebuild part and craftsman quality. At the end, some rebuilds may equal or surpass the cost of used engine but, there is warranty.

@Kashif. You've summarized it in a more succulent way.
Regards

TRYGO:
@Egunmogagi. If you take a closer look at that top cylinder head, you'd realised it had some crack as a result of corrosion.

It was welded initially. That's the patch you see kinda black in colour.

It can be welded again. This time properly.

may God bless you all for this post. you just save a soul. we argued that with my mechanec and thank God I had your point of view as my argument.

@nomaison. That's parts of the objectives of this Write-up.

But sometimes, you've got to bear in mind that, the more you argue with them(some of the mechanics, the more things gets to "almost a heatong debate", that leads to anger, etc.

In such situations, calm down, and buttress your points to him. He may appear resistant to your opinion, but when he meets a brick wall, or gets home, he'd say, " e b like say wetin you talk na true".

@nomaison. That's parts of the objectives of this Write-up.

But sometimes, you've got to bear in mind that, the more you argue with them(some of the mechanics, the more things gets to "almost a heatong debate", that leads to anger, etc.

In such situations, calm down, and buttress your points to him. He may appear resistant to your opinion, but when he meets a brick wall, or gets home, he'd say, " e b like say wetin you talk na true".


PS: Y some of them use that as a bargaining chip is because the time involved in an engine rebuild is what they're considering.

The very informative article indeed. Thank you so much for sharing such great information about engine