Guaranteed Pre-Tested Engines for Sale….
Question: How can you prove an engine is any good if it came out of a wrecked car or where ever you get them from if you can’t drive the car first? What tests are run on used engines in particular to assure me that the engine is solid and has plenty of life in it. I have less interest in a rebuilt engine, but how do we know if a rebuilt or remanufactured engine is setup correctly and is not going to be a defect?
Answer: I feel the same way you do, I would like legitimate proof as well that any used engine I purchased was tested and would last longer than the warranty. Or a rebuilt engine for that matter. I also think that any legitimate engine supply company’s understand that qualified consumers, more than ever, want to know they got their money’s worth.
With that being said, you would be correct in thinking the engine should be checked. Obviously if the car was wrecked it may be hard to test the engine. Without taking the engine apart:
#. I would start with checking the quality of the engine oil. It should not have a burnt odor and not be gooey or discolored. Any discoloration is a sign that some problems may be brewing up, but are not showing up yet.
#2. The two machines necessary to prove a transmission or engine for sale is working properly both cold and hot are: A. an dynamometer and B. a professional grade electrical system scanner – tester.
A dynamometer is a large and expensive device that an engine can be bolted to and simulate all of the driving conditions you may encounter. For an engine, the dyno has a transmission like device to provide the real world driving resistance. To complete the tests a scan tool or analyzer has to be hooked up during the test cycle on the dynamometer to monitor critical functions of the electrical system. Some of the fancier engine dynamometers have the scan tools and testers built in.
Personally speaking, the two tests need to be run at the same time, obviously, and for at least an hour. The main reason for extended testing time is that many engines will perform fine cold, but act up hot. For an engine, realistically speaking, it takes a good 30 minutes to warm up to operating temperature. So I feel an hour on the dyno is the necessary amount of running time to prove the engine and electrical components are healthy both hot and cold.
Remember, a used engine is used, and at the time of installation, request that a the front engine seal and rear main seals be replaced. Note: If is one of the seals/leak areas mentioned occurs after engine installation, you will have to remove the engine or transmission to put a rear engine seal in it.. Make sure you change the engine oil and filter, and last make sure to flush the cooling system out with the proper type of flusher.
Not every used engine supplier runs these tests. Instead they use good old fashioned luck. Luck is a good ingredient, but scientifically proving the engine is good is the only way you will convince me. That is why GotEngines.com has outperformed the competition for years. The only engines they sell go through this rigorous testing procedure.
The reality is that even though the equipment to run these tests is not cheap, it actually saves everyone money by not selling the troublesome engines. It costs someone money to have to pull a defective engine out of a car and wait for another engine to arrive, that is also not pre-tested. Think about it.
