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Consumer Auto Feature: The Value of Engine Repair

28 July 1998

Consumer Auto Feature: The Value of Engine Repair

  Don't Assume Engine Problems Are Cause for Buying an Expensive New Vehicle

    DETROIT, July 28 -- No matter how carefully you maintain your
car, sooner or later the engine will begin to display signs of wear.  They
might be subtle at first -- reduced passing power on the interstate, a
rattling noise from under the hood, excessive oil consumption or white smoke
from the exhaust -- but they'll become more noticeable and bothersome as you
continue to load on the miles.
    True, you can barely distinguish the engine from the wires, fuel
components and belts in your mid-80s sedan, minivan, light truck or sport
utility vehicle.  In fact, your vehicle packs a heating and cooling system
that could service a small home, and computers smarter than the ones that put
Neil Armstrong on the moon.
    While the bells and whistles have become more complex, the heart of your
beloved vehicle -- the engine -- remains much as it did a decade ago.  It
certainly is as serviceable -- maybe even more so.
    Therein lies the point:  Don't assume your engine problems are cause to
plunge deep into debt for a new vehicle.  As a matter of fact, assume the
opposite:  That today's technologically advanced replacement engine
components, combined with the talents of the best technicians, can put you
back in the fast lane both quickly and economically.
    But first the basics.  Your vehicle probably is powered by a four-stroke
internal combustion engine.  The engine is made up of two primary units --
cylinder block, the lower part of the engine which houses the pistons and
crankshaft; and cylinder head, which houses the valves, spark plugs, fuel
injector ports, camshaft(s) and other critical valvetrain components.

    So what's wrong with your engine?
    A qualified independent repair garage or engine rebuilding operation can
quickly and accurately diagnose the problem and restore that "like-new"
performance through an advanced process called "remanufacturing."  A skilled
technician will remachine your block or cylinder head and install brand-new
internal components designed to restore the critical tolerances that create
power.
    The first step for the technician will be a careful inspection of all
internal engine components and a series of compression tests to identify
problem areas.  For example, your high mileage engine might be losing power
(and burning oil) due to severe leakage past the pistons and ring packs.  In
this case, the technician and rebuilder will remachine the cylinders and
install new pistons and piston rings.
    A cylinder with poor compression but minimal leakage at the rings probably
is being undermined by a leaking head gasket or valvetrain problem.  The
repair procedure will most likely include remanufacturing or replacing the
cylinder head, along with the necessary valves, valve springs and other
components.
    In either case, it's not the end of the world.  In fact, for a mere
fraction of what you would spend in just one year of new-car payments, you can
put a professionally remanufactured, highly reliable engine back under your
hood.
    Where can you go for more information on "repowering" your worn engine?
Easy -- call or stop by the nearest qualified engine repair garage.  Ask them
to diagnose the problem and outline your options.  And remember to ask about a
warranty -- most quality-conscious shops stand behind their work.
    In addition, one major engine parts manufacturer, Detroit's Federal-Mogul
Corporation, now offers a 100,000-mile warranty on engines that are
remanufactured using its premium Sealed Power Platinum engine rebuilding kits.
This alone speaks volumes about the quality and value available through
remanufacturing.

Source  Federal-Mogul Corporation