Is Rebuilding an Engine Worth It?

December 14, 2021 11:52 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Truck engines take a beating, and for good reason: they’re some of the real workhorses of the road. We’ve all heard stories of trucks driving way past their expected expiration dates, but sometimes drivers and/or owners can reach a real decision point when the truck’s engine has clearly seen better days.

An engine rebuild could be just what the doctor (or mechanic) ordered if it’s looking like some engine repairs might not get the job done. When deciding which route you think you want to go, there’s a few things you should consider before making the ultimate decision on whether or not it’s worth it to rebuild a car’s or truck’s engine.

What does rebuilding entail?

For starters, let’s define some terminology. An engine rebuild means the entire entity is physically removed from your car or truck. The entire thing is then taken apart, with all damaged parts obviously being replaced with new parts (or quality refurbished ones).

There are some parts that will almost always need replacement at this stage—things like O-rings, gaskets, valve springs, the oil pump, bearings, seals and timing belts (or chains) are relatively inexpensive and can show clear signs of wear, so they’re a common choice for replacement.

Conversely, major parts like crankshafts, pistons and camshafts are quite a bit more expensive and are typically more durable regardless, so those are usually only replaced if absolutely necessary.

What if my engine was damaged?

If you’re in the market for an engine rebuild due to moderate to severe damage to your engine, then your bill might go up quite a bit higher than it would for a standard job. A mechanic will make the ultimate decision, but something that might prove to be necessary is boring the engine block to fit new pistons (replacing the ones that were damaged in whatever mishap you experienced). This is a serious undertaking, but it has the upside of restoring your engine to working condition for years to come.

However, sometimes this isn’t a viable engine repair, such as if a broken crankshaft or connecting rod has damaged the block and we cannot bore holes, or if the exterior of the engine block is cracked. In those specific instances, a mechanic will likely not be able to rebuild your engine and a replacement will probably be necessary.

What are the benefits of rebuilding?

A quality engine rebuild brings with it a lot of benefits. For starters, there’s the peace of mind that comes with knowing an experienced and skilled team of mechanics checked it out from top to bottom. Furthermore, there’s some additional benefits with modern cars that rely on their electrical systems more than older cars did. An engine replacement rather than an engine rebuild means an entirely new series of connections to a car’s electrical system (think GPS, etc.), connections that might not exactly immediately “take” with a new engine trying to hook up to an existing car.

If you’re in the market for engine repairs and think an engine rebuild could be what your vehicle needs to keep it on the road for years to come, be sure to get in touch with the team at Gabriel’s Automotive & Towing today!

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