The engine is the heart of every vehicle, be it big or small, new or old. Although in the future the engine is predicted to become obsolete, for now, it’s the most reliable way to keep a vehicle running. Since the engine is such a complex system of components working together to burn fuel, it is one that is subjected to issues. Proper maintenance is needed, but sometimes, essential automotive tools are just not enough to help fix things. An engine can also fail completely, meaning there is no way of fixing it and the only solution would be to either replace it or rebuild it.

Replacing it may be a simpler task, but it is not as effective of a solution as rebuilding it. Rebuilding your engine, however, is a far more complex process but it ensures all the good parts you have in your existing engine are now fully operational. If your car has an engine that has come to the end of its lifespan, why not save it from getting scrapped and still have a reliable engine by rebuilding it? This is where engine rebuild kits can be handy.

Are Engine Rebuild Kits Worth It?

Some would say that the amount of work required to rebuild an engine with a kit makes it less cost-effective, as you don’t know if the parts will perform well. That will be the case if you get a kit that’s not fit for your engine. With proper full engine rebuild kits, you’re able to rebuild your engine and make it work just like it always did as long as you know what to look for.

Types of Rebuild Kits

Out-Of-Frame

If you want to rebuild your engine from the ground up, then you should go for an out-of-frame kit which is what full engine rebuild kits essentially are. An out-of-frame kit is one that demands a lot of your time and labour but it will provide the best results.

In-Frame

If you want a more watered-down version of an out-of-frame kit, then you should go for in-frame kits, since they are less time-consuming. What you have to remember is that an in-frame engine rebuild kit doesn’t make for a thorough replacement. This means fewer parts are replaced and thus, more uneven wear. In-frame kits are not all that bad and they are a great middle-ground between out-of-frame and re-ring kits.

Re-Ring

A re-ring kit is one that offers the least amount of parts and they’re the least invasive solution. With this type of kit, you’re able to rebuild your engine by just replacing the piston rings, main bearings, thrust washers, and conrod bearings. Don’t expect much from a re-ring kit since it does not as good of a job as an in-frame let alone an out-of-frame kit.

OEM vs Aftermarket Kits

On the aftermarket, you can find both poor and good quality engine rebuild kits, but the thing is that you have to search for a suitable one yourself. An OEM kit is one that has the original parts, but those won’t provide any improvement. Also, OEM kits are far more expensive than aftermarket ones. Sometimes, aftermarket kits can have a lower price but come with the same quality parts.

For the most part, though, you’ll find that aftermarket kits are better when it comes to component versatility since you’ll be able to find all kinds of parts available at all kinds of prices. With OEM kits, on the other hand, there’s the guarantee that components will work well no matter what. This is why aftermarket kits require thorough research.

The Main Causes for an Engine Rebuild

Lubrication

Lubrication is important for the whole vehicle, but it’s most important inside the engine. But putting lubricating oil where components move and grind isn’t enough to keep an engine running for a long time. You need to do things properly. For example, changing the oil in your car is important but you also need to check for wear and tear on other parts. That being said, changing the oil regularly won’t do much to prevent an engine rebuild from happening eventually.

Overheating

Heat can be both good and bad for your engine. Having enough heat can help keep things going but having too much of it can make parts wear faster. So, it’s important to keep your engine from overheating as this can cause it to wear down. To keep your engine from overheating, you should check for coolant leaks and a faulty water pump. A bad cooling fan can also be the cause of the engine overheating, unless you have a naturally aspirated engine.

Detonation

When there is excessive pressure and heat building up in the engine, it can lead to internal components melting or cracking. This causes tremendous damage and will often require you to do a full engine rebuild. The spontaneous combustion of fuel can be the cause for this as well, as it produces extreme heat rapidly. You can also hear a knocking noise which is the result of failure in the exhaust gas recirculation system. This is the system that makes sure your engine gets the right mixture of fuel and air.