Engines Rebuilt
Trusted Engines Rebuilt Shop in Havana, FL
Caterpillar Engines Rebuilt
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.
Oil analysis
Crankcase blow-by
Oil analysis
By having an oil analysis done, at every change interval, you can monitor metal concentrations and other deposits that could harm your engine. If metal particle levels are too high, this could signal a failure of the rod, main bearings or cam bearings.
An oil analysis will also indicate if there is a high concentration of fuel or antifreeze mixed with the oil. This could indicate failing piston rings or excessive cylinder liner wear.
Oil analysis works best if it’s done over the long term so that samples can be compared. If you consistently see iron, lead and copper particle readings at a low level, you’re OK. But if something goes awry and a contaminant appears, the reading will increase markedly.
Obviously, the sooner you catch it, the better off you are. If you do analysis infrequently and find something, you won’t know how long the problem has existed.”
Maybe the air cleaner isn’t seated properly, allowing unfiltered air into the engine. That will show up in an oil analysis. If you correct it, you may have lost a bit of life in your engine but you probably haven’t destroyed it.
Analysis contains extensive information, but doesn’t focus on only one result, says Maria Burcham, a technical adviser with ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties. Instead, look at the overall report. For example, low oil viscosity and fuel dilution might signal a fuel injection system problem. Those results plus high wear metals in the sample might indicate troubles with piston rings or cylinder liners. If your system is starting to fail, you’re going to see multiple indicators that will point you in the same direction.
If you choose to collect the oil sample yourself, don’t take the first drops after opening the drain, which are likely to contain debris. Let it drain for a few minutes and then take your sample. And make sure you note the mileage for the lab.
Also, if you’re adding oil frequently, it can sometimes mask oil analysis wear metal readings. So keep track of how much oil you’re adding.
Crankcase blow-by
As pistons and piston rings wear, they allow more compression and combustion gases to escape into the crankcase and through a rubber blow-by, or draft tube that runs alongside the engine. As the gas increases because of worn rings or pistons, microscopically tiny oil droplets collect and eventually drip from the tube, which is a cause for concern.
You might not notice until airflow blows the dripping oil across the front of the fuel tanks and under the truck. However, this may not happen on 2007 and later engines as oil droplets are filtered out of the blow-by gases before being emitted. Engine shops can test for excessive blow-by.
The pleats of this oil filter revealed metal particles, which in some cases aren’t found in oil analysis.
The operator will also notice an increased rate of oil consumption, Instead of going 2,000 to 3,000 miles on a gallon of oil, they won’t make 1,000 miles. They’re starting to have significant wear inside the cylinder kits.
Also contributing to elevated blow-by could be a leaking turbocharger seal, It will leak into the crankcase down the oil drain tube of the turbocharger
Isolate the turbocharger when troubleshooting blow-by and then test the engine. Badly worn valve guides and cylinder heads can also increase crankcase blow-by. Since most of the time, if you have a cylinder head or valve guide that’s worn out, you’re probably ready to do an in-frame overhaul anyway.
If you see gradually increasing blow-by, don’t be alarmed. Yet if it increases a lot over time, have it inspected.
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.
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.
Water In the Oil
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 Overheating
Oil that’s overheating smells like burning oil.
Fuel Dilution
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.
Engine Noise
Listen closely. If your engine’s pinging or running roughly, take it to the shop.
Exhaust Smoke
Trouble’s at hand if you see heavy smoke in the exhaust, or blue smoke with pre-2007 engines.
Loose Seals
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.
Antifreeze Contamination
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.
Oil Filter Test
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.
Oil Pressure Gauge
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.
Engine Mileage
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
Finding an Engines Rebuilt 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 diesel repair shop that does quality work:
- 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