Choosing Remanufactured Engines
When the engine on a car has served its purpose and is done, it doesn’t always have to go to the junkyard. There are mechanic shops that take those worn-out engines and remanufacture them. What is a remanufactured engine? And what does it mean to have a “remanufactured engine”? Think of it as recycling!
A remanufactured engine is when the original engine or one similar has been restored to ‘like-new’ condition, as close to the original as possible. A thorough inspection of the engine is done by a mechanic. Then any parts that are damaged or worn out are replaced with parts that have been re-machined to the original specs, or new ones that are as close to the original specs as possible.
How Do You Remanufacture an Engine?
A remanufactured engine is like having a new engine built. There are standard procedures with quality control and factory testing performed before the remanufactured engine is released. The mechanic team will start with an engine core that is undamaged and proceed with the following steps:
- Thoroughly and carefully clean the engine
- Measure the engine to assure it is at OEM specifications
- Replace all damaged or worn components with new parts, including:
- Pistons
- Rings
- Valves
- Lifters
Does Remanufacturing an Engine Reset the Mileage?
An engine swap, engine replacement, or remanufactured engine will not reset the mileage on your vehicle. The mileage calculates all the components of a car. It is illegal to reset the mileage on an odometer because it should always reflect the age of the entire car accurately.
Is a Remanufactured Engine the Same as a New Engine?
A properly done remanufactured engine by a reputable mechanic or garage should be as good, in some cases, better than a new engine. A reputable mechanic or garage will typically offer a 1-year warranty on the work done when driven properly.
This means, that if you decide to take the car down a quarter-mile track to race and blow the engine, the warranty is null and void. For the cost factor, a remanufactured engine is less expensive than a rebuilt engine.
Often a remanufactured engine is built from parts that are sourced from other engines that have broken down and have been “reworked”. They are then thoroughly inspected before being installed on an engine that is being remanufactured.
How Long Will a Remanufactured Engine Last?
The typical warranty on a remanufactured engine is 1-year or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.Specialty remanufactured engines will come with a 36-month warranty and unlimited miles.
Is Remanufactured the Same as Refurbished?
No, there are differences, and it is important to realize those differences so you get what you pay for. The general description of a remanufactured engine is:
The mechanic or technician working on the remanufacturing will check the mechanical tolerances and restore them with either re-machined components or installing the needed inserts to restore the engine to the original manufacturer’s mechanical tolerances so that the engine meets the standard OEM durability, quality, and tolerances. Those parts include:
- New pistons
- Connecting rods
- Rings
- Bearings
- Camshafts
- Lifters
- Oil pump
All bearing surfaces are restored and the engine’s upper half, including the cylinder heads, are rebuilt. The only part that remains the same with a remanufactured engine is the block if it is in a rebuildable condition.
A rebuilt engine is cleaned and inspected, and any broken, damaged, or worn parts are replaced. Any parts that are still serviceable are reused if they are within the manufacturer’s suggested acceptable wear limits. The rebuilt components’ quality can vary between engine and engine parts rebuilders and will typically have a limited warranty.
Before an engine rebuild begins, the components are typically equally worn condition. After an engine rebuild, some of the components will be new and others will be the used ones that were on the engine. It is important to understand that the used components, should function properly even if they are somewhat worn.
Are Refurbished Engines Good?
Experienced car buffs will say that a rebuilt engine is often better than the original factory-installed engine. They are a reliable and more cost-effective choice when needing engine repair or replacement.
Is a Remanufactured Engine Better Than a Used Engine?
Yes, it has been refurbed with new or qualified used parts and components. A used engine is used. You get all the mileage previous owners have put on the engine.
Get Your Motor Running …
Is an engine replacement worth it? If the engine of your current car is starting to have a lot of problems that require small repairs or replacement parts, it may be time to either buy a new car or have a new engine installed. You need to calculate the amount of money you’re putting into your current car versus the cost of a new engine, rebuilt engine, or remanufactured engine.