When you notice your truck’s engine isn’t operating right, it’s high time for service and maintenance. But you’ll often hear terms like engine rebuild and engine overhaul thrown around.
The toughest part as a diesel truck owner is knowing which to do: a truck engine rebuild or a truck engine overhaul. We’ve been in your shoes before, and we’ve asked the same questions when we needed our truck engines serviced.
After more than 25 years in the diesel truck repair industry, we feel we’ve learned a thing or two about engine rebuilds. To make your life a little easier, we’ve created our penultimate guide to truck engine rebuilds and overhauls.
Join us as we explore the ins and outs of engine rebuilds and much more.
What’s an engine rebuild?
An engine rebuild is a phrase that’s used by technicians to attend to any engine issues. An engine rebuilt includes the following:
- Examining a truck’s engine parts
- Pulling the engine apart to find the source of disrepair
- Cleaning up anything that’s amiss in the engine
- Substituting brand-new or reconditioned replacement parts of the engine (such as gaskets, seals, timing chains, spring valves, oil pumps, camshafts, crankshafts, pistons, and more)
You may have heard the terms “engine overhaul” or “engine remanufacture” before, which are often related to engine rebuilds. While not quite the same, these terms are close cousins to an engine rebuild.
We’ll discuss more about engine overhauls in the sections below, but first, a little bit about the benefits of an engine rebuild to whet your appetite.
The benefits of a truck engine rebuild
If your truck’s engine is acting faulty, a rebuilt engine might do the trick. When it comes to engine work, an engine rebuild might lower the likelihood of another component failing in the future.
As a result, replacing the broken components in the engine might be the best option for you and your wallet. Rebuilding an engine can prolong the life of your truck while also saving you money on buying a new engine.
What’s more, you’ll have a more efficient and up-to-date powerhouse under the hood of your vehicle without having to trade the vehicle you’ve grown to love.
Finally, with rebuilt engines, you’ll enjoy better fuel economy. Plus, you’ll be helping the environment by not using the energy needed to dispose of your old truck.
Best of all, the long-term cost of rebuilding an engine is worth it. If you have to choose between refurbishing your engine or buying a new truck as a result of a broken engine, the best course of action is choosing a rebuilt engine.
Over the long haul, a rebuilt engine will save you money and will ensure your truck keeps hauling and delivering goods for many miles to come.
How to know if an engine rebuild is needed
If you’re unsure about whether an engine rebuild is needed, we get it. Knowing the signs and symptoms of engine failure can be tricky.
Many of our clients often ask us how to know if an engine rebuild is needed. In general, an engine rebuild may be called for if you notice the following components acting up in your engine:
- Faulty water pump
- Inconsistent thermostat
- Damaged oil pump
- Engine oil seems to lose lubrication, seems diluted, is outdated, and/or is thicker than the acceptable levels mentioned in your vehicle’s owner’s manual
- Damaged head gaskets
- Coolant entering the engine
Similarly, while not common, if you notice your engine leaks oil, you may also want to check with an expert repair shop to determine whether the leak is a result of a faulty engine or other broken equipment under the hood.
You’ll know you need an engine rebuild if you’ve conducted a thorough diagnostics test of all parts of your vehicle and your truck specialist informs you it’s time for repairs.
Let’s take a look at what you can expect when the time comes for a thorough engine rebuild.
What happens when an engine is rebuilt
Nowadays, you can expect a full “fuel injector to pan” rebuild. In other words, when an engine rebuild occurs, your mechanic will do the following:
- Remove the engine block
- Disassemble the engine block
- Replace damaged parts with new or refurbished parts that meet original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards
- Recondition internal surfaces of cylinders and cylinder heads
- Reassemble the engine
- Install the engine inside the vehicle
While the process may vary from mechanic to mechanic, diesel repair shop to diesel repair shop, you can expect this process to be fairly similar across most mechanics.
Did you know?
Did you know that North America’s motor repair and maintenance market is projected to grow 3.5% over the next eight years?
To make sure your motor vehicle is in tip-top shape, you’ll want to have a trusted mechanic’s contact information in your back pocket.
At Certified Fleet Services, our expert staff knows all about repairs and maintenance.
We work to accurately diagnose issues and effectively service vehicles in the fastest time possible. From oil changes to engine repairs, Certified Fleet has you covered!
A truck engine rebuild versus an engine overhaul
When it comes to truck repairs, you’ll want to be aware of how each procedure operates and decide if an engine repair or a rebuild is the best choice for your budget and needs.
“But what about engine overhauls?” You might be asking. “Where do they fit into this process?”
An engine overhaul is when some — but not all — components of an engine are rebuilt. In an engine overhaul, expert mechanics replace worn-out components.
In contrast, an engine rebuild tends to be more costly and prolonged. It includes replacing all the components of an engine and assembling the rebuilt engine under the hood of the existing vehicle.
Looking for more information about engine overhauls? To learn more about engine overhauls, head over to our article all about engine overhauls where we discuss more about the ins and outs of engine overhauls.
How to tell if you need an engine overhaul
Since the difference between an engine overhaul and an engine rebuild is in the amount of repairs needed on the engine, you can tell if you need an engine overhaul if only some of the engine parts in your vehicle need repairs.
Otherwise, if you’re ever in doubt, you can check in with your local diesel repair shop for their expert opinion. They’ll have the tools to diagnose the source of your engine problems.
Table: The major difference between a truck engine rebuild vs. overhaul
|
Engine rebuilds |
Engine overhauls |
|
|
Never go at an engine rebuild alone
The major difference between an engine rebuild and an engine overhaul is in the amount of labor, time, and cost needed on your vehicle. As such, you may want to consider reaching out to your trusted diesel repair shop for quality, timely, and expert service.
If you’re in the Florida region and need truck repairs, don’t hesitate to stop by. Our friendly ASE-certified diesel repair technicians have more than 25 years of experience in their field.
Whether you need an engine rebuild, transmission work, or a simple oil change, contact us today for quality, speedy, and timely truck service. We’ll get you back on the road fast.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about engine rebuilds
What does an engine rebuild include?
An engine rebuild includes the following:
- Examining a truck’s engine parts
- Pulling the engine apart to find the source of disrepair
- Cleaning up anything that’s amiss in the engine
- Substituting brand-new or reconditioned replacement parts of the engine (such as gaskets, seals, timing chains, spring valves, oil pumps, camshafts, crankshafts, pistons, and more)
In general, engine rebuilds are all about giving you a new and refreshed engine.
What’s the difference between an engine rebuild and an overhaul?
The difference between an engine rebuild and an overhaul has more to do with the amount and type of repairs needed. Engine rebuilds tend to be a complete replacement of the entire engine.
In contrast, an engine overhaul includes replacing only the faulty parts and components needed to keep the pre-existing engine running at peak capacity.
Can I do an engine rebuild myself?
You may be able to do an engine rebuild with a manufacturer’s engine rebuild kit. With that said, engine rebuilds can cost a great deal of money and take a great deal of time.
If errors occur, you might shell out more money than you budgeted for, which can be a source of stress and concern.
If you’re considering repairing your engine yourself, what you can always do is reach out to a diesel repair technician to help you troubleshoot as needed. That way, you’ll be safe and thorough in your efforts to rebuild your engine.
