Truck Engine Repair Vs Engine Rebuild: A Guide
When you notice the check engine light coming ON on the dashboard, you should not ignore it or take it lightly. An engine problem can also be detected by sound. If there are any pinging or popping noises that seem to be unusually louder, you should be concerned. You should also keep track of how your truck drives. If it is jerking or stalling, you should bring it to a specialized truck engine repair service.
When it comes to engine problems, you may often be faced with the situation of choosing between an engine rebuild or repair. This will depend on the age of your truck, its condition, and the state of the engine. In order to choose between the two processes, it is important to understand what is involved in them.
Truck Engine Rebuild
An engine rebuild is usually suggested by your mechanic when the truck engine has undergone regular wear and tear due to long-term usage. The process basically involves the mechanics and technicians working together to put all the parts of the engine together to restore it to a new-like condition. The components undergo careful examination and are replaced if they don’t meet the new tolerances.
The key processes involved in a heavy truck engine rebuild job may include the following aspects:
- Over-boring the cylinders
- Rod replacement
- Crankshaft machining
- Crankshaft bearings replacement
The goal is to build an engine that is almost like new without replacing the existing engine. Your mechanic will ensure that all tolerances between the different components stay within the factory specifications for a new engine.
Some truck owners feel that an engine rebuild involves getting all new parts. This is often the case when the internal parts fail to work effectively and your truck cannot run. Most of the time, an engine rebuild is required when there has been a major engine failure such as a broken oil pump or overheating issues.
What is Involved in a Truck Engine Rebuild?
As mentioned above, the main goal of an engine rebuild is to take the old engine and make it as close to a new engine. The job involves disassembling the engine. The main steps involved in the process include:
- Disassembling
- Cleaning
- Inspecting
- Replacement of all damaged parts with refurbished or new parts
If the engine has severe damage, extensive processes may be involved to get the engine working again. Such common jobs include:
- Engine block can be bored to align the main bores and crankshaft.
- Cylinders can be bored to fix new pistons
A heavy truck engine rebuild is usually a cost-effective solution. Once your truck has had it, it will give you the assurance that the engine has been properly inspected and recreated using new parts. It can add many more years to an otherwise damaged engine. During an engine rebuild, the parts that may be replaced with new or refurbished ones can include bearings, O rings, seals, gaskets, oil pump, timing belt/chain, pistons, crankshafts, and camshafts.
Truck Engine Repair
A truck engine repair is a measure to fix the engine and get it back to running again. It is focused on extending the life of your truck’s engine which has many miles and is still in reasonably good condition. An engine repair is required when your mechanic takes care of any failures in your truck’s engine.
A truck engine repair may be required for any number of reasons and the repair job can vary based on which part has been damaged or stopped working. The common steps involved in a repair job include:
- Taking the engine apart if required
- Cleaning all the components
- Replacing any worn out or damaged parts with factory-approved components
- Putting the engine back together
Major repairs can require the replacement of the cylinder liners, pistons, and piston rings and are often classified as engine overhauls.
Engine Rebuild or Engine Repair
When you are unsure whether you need truck engine repair or rebuild, it is important to know what each process involves. A certified and experienced professional can help you make the right decision. At TMS TruckMaster, we can help you make the right decision and provide professional services to get your truck running again. Feel free to contact us and we will get back to you at the earliest.