Services

Trusted Engine Rebuilt Shop in Havana, FL

DONALSON DIESEL PERFORMANCE for your Engine Rebuilds

CATERPILLAR ENGINES

Distrust of post-2007 engine technology, combined with tough economic conditions and higher engine prices, has increased the demand for overhauls, the granddaddy of truck repairs. Given typical costs of $20,000 and more, it’s critical to make wise decisions about them.

Mileage alone doesn’t say much about the need for an overhaul

although engines with 750,000-800,000 miles should start getting closer scrutiny. Consistently pulling heavy loads, driving through mountains or running short haul with a lot of starts and stops will put greater stress on your engine than if you usually haul loads under 80,000 pounds cross-country. Whether the stress accumulates slowly or quickly, knowing when it’s time for an overhaul isn’t always clear-cut. There’s just not one thing you point to, so If you feel like your truck’s just not performing like it used to in terms of power or fuel economy, it may be time for that Engine Rebuild. Two of the most effective ways to determine if the time has come are oil analysis and crankcase blow-by testing.

How far to go

When internal damage is found early, the engine can be taken apart to see if a rebuild or replacement is in order you may only want to replace the rod and main bearings, or you might need us to perform a full rebuild.
Once the inspection has taken place, parts replacement is often wise. Rod, main and cam bearings, pistons, piston rings and liners, oil pump, thermostat and all seals and gaskets should be replaced. The water pump, injector cups and even the injectors might have to be replaced also.

caterpillar-engine

At the same time

we will inspect the turbocharger and items like the camshaft, rocker arms and shaft and gears for wear. If a rod or main bearing has failed, the crankshaft may need to be turned or polished to remove scratches made by the bearing as it failed. Cylinder head work such as resurfacing, valve replacement, valve grinding and valve guide replacement should be done using new or factory-remanufactured cylinder heads. Our experienced technicians can determine if a part is worn beyond its service life.
This will manifest itself as foam or gunk on the fill cap or neck or on the dipstick. Sometimes water droplets will form on the dipstick and rust will develop.
Oil that’s overheating smells like burning oil.
You can also smell a high level of fuel dilution. With injection system failure, fuel that isn’t fully atomized works its way past the piston rings and into the crankcase. Oil viscosity will decrease and oil will smell like fuel. Rapid spreading indicates fuel.
Listen closely. If your engine’s pinging or running roughly, take it to the shop.
Trouble’s at hand if you see heavy smoke in the exhaust, or blue smoke with pre-2007 engines.
Look daily for loose seals around the intake piping that could lead to contamination of the intake track. Dirt or dust could cause premature wear of piston rings and turbochargers, thereby contaminating the oil.
Low cylinder compression can be a sign of worn liners, piston rings or valves, which can be caused by antifreeze contamination of the oil. Run a compression test on each cylinder to know for sure.
A technician can use a special tool to cut open the filter and look for signs of metal in its pleats. Certain engine problems can produce large metal particles that aren’t found in oil analysis because they become lodged in the filter.
While the gauge may not be perfectly calibrated, if you see a noticeable change in its reading, take action. It could mean something’s wrong with the gauge, but it could also mean you’re not getting proper oil flow.”
Newer engines are built to last a million miles or more, depending on loads and driving habits. Yet most operators should be looking at an overhaul beginning at about 750,000 miles
caterpillar-engine

Finding a shop you can trust

If you break down on the road, don’t try to save a few bucks on the towing charge to haul your truck to the nearest shop. Pay the extra money if you can be towed to a reputable shop like Donalson Diesel Performance.

These are some signs of a shop that does quality services:

The shop should use new parts designated by the engine manufacturer, not aftermarket parts.
The work should be warranted.
The shop and its equipment should be clean and organized, with a cement floor that’s cleaned after each job. There should be a designated area, with closed doors, for overhauls.
Tools should be up to the task, such as proper torque wrenches and a rail crane to hoist the engine

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