Reconditioned Engines & How To Identify A Reputable Seller

What Is A Reconditioned Engine?

A remanufactured or reconditioned engine describes an engine that is restored to a working condition by repair, renovation and rebuild. However, there is no legal definition, or set of parameters that officially state what the exact term is, this leaves it open to varying degrees of subjection as well as differing grades of quality.

Reconditioned can mean that all the parts have been changed, are brand new and squeaky clean, or it may mean that only some parts have been selectively changed and are not necessarily new. There are numerous problems and complications associated with the murky world of reconditioned/remanufactured engines, due to the very hazy definition of what constitutes a ‘reconditioned engine’ in the first place.

This does not mean that good, reconditioned engines don’t exist, there are plenty on the market that once fitted, can give machines and equipment a new lease of life - the difficulty is finding one and being certain that it has been remanufactured to a high standard and that it remains fully compatible in terms of size and weight. Most construction machine manufacturers, when faced with faulty engines in new construction machines still under warranty, will remanufacture the existing engine and replace parts with either new or remanufactured parts at their own discretion. The parts will be officially approved but may not be brand new – for the manufacturers, this is cheaper than replacing the whole engine. In this case however, the manufacturers are adhering to specific standards and the customer has rights if there is a problem with the engine.

Important Considerations

Who Is The Seller?

Are you buying from a reputable seller? It is important to have confidence in the seller; when purchasing a reconditioned engine, the majority of people don’t have the technical expertise to strip an engine back, carefully examine it and identify any possible issues. It is therefore important to be as well informed as possible and take into consideration the following:

Do They Belong To Any Type of Trade Association?

Most reputable companies are a member of some sort of trading association, this assures their customers of their quality and honesty. A good marker in terms of quality, is a seal of approval by The Federation of Engine Re-Manufacturers (FER) - this is one of the largest associations. Buying from a FER-approved seller, assures the customer of quality and also has the additional benefit of added support of a FER official complaints procedure. FER states that a remanufactured engine is: "an engine which has been returned to the manufacturer’s specification to provide levels of performance, reliability and life similar to that of the original engine"

The FER only approves businesses whose engines meet their specific standards, although there may be some cross-over in the terminology with regards to how the sellers market themselves. They may advertise both remanufactured and reconditioned engines, as many customers use the term reconditioned when searching for a seller.

Local Reputation/Reviews

It is a good idea to find out as much as possible about the seller and to investigate thoroughly by reading through reviews and checking to see if the seller belongs to a trade association. Unless it is a very new business, there should be reviews testifying to their quality. Avoid sellers that have zero reviews, and nobody seems to know anything about.

Payment Methods

Any type of reputable business dealing with diesel engines, or any other type of engine should accept credit cards, as this is a traceable form of payment usually utilised for larger payments. Organisations that ask for cash or cheque payments may not be reliable.

What To Expect From A Reconditioned Engine

The cast-iron block should be meticulously clean as well as bored and honed for the new piston and rings. Replacement engine parts should include the following amongst others:

• New main bearings and connecting rod bearing
• cam shafts, crankshafts
• New timing chain
• New valve lifters
• New rocker arms
• New push-rods
• New oil pump
• New or remanufactured water pump
• New pistons and rings and connecting rods
• Cylinder heads should have new valves, springs, retainers and valve guide
• All belts, chains, tensioners, gaskets and seals should be new

These parts should be verified by someone with a thorough understanding of engines.

Where Do The Parts Come From?

It should be clearly visible where all the parts were from, this should be in the form of documented proof that all new parts were from a reputable supplier, and any used replacement parts should have documented proof of testing.

Proof Of Purchase

As well as documentation for the above, the remanufactured engine should com with a warranty and the seller should produce a receipt where absolutely everything is documented in detail – all documents should be read through very carefully.

Compatibility

If purchasing a reconditioned engine for a construction machine, it must be 100 per cent compatible. It may be possible to fit a more powerful engine than the previous one, however, the replacement engine must fit the construction machine’s chassis and be compatible in terms of size and weight. The weight will affect the load on the axle supports, and the overall weight of the whole construction machine which will have a secondary effect on handling and braking. All seals and gaskets must be a perfect fit to avoid leakage – something that can cause numerous subsequent problems.

Potential Issues

If something goes wrong with the engine within its warranty, it is often difficult to prove that the seller is at fault, something that potentially results in a stressful and costly legal process. Whilst buying a reconditioned engine is inevitably cheaper than buying a brand new one, it is still an expensive purchase, one that involves a lot of time-consuming research and has the potential to result in a stressful legal battle with further costs. Buying a new engine is undoubtedly more expensive, however, the process is considerably quicker, less stressful and provides peace of mind.

Buy reconditioned engines with confidence from AT Wilde Plant Parts.