You can’t judge rebuilt diesel engines by the year they were built or the number of hours they’ve logged alone.
If you’re seeking a new or replacement engine to power your operations, and you’re facing budget constraints, selecting rebuilt equipment may be the best option for you. This is especially true if you’re able to gain a solid understanding of how the engine was used and maintained up to this point.
You can’t judge rebuilt diesel engines by the year they were built or the number of hours they’ve logged alone.
Here are a few areas to probe with a reseller to understand exactly what you’re buying.
The Value of Superior Maintenance
You simply cannot underestimate the impact that regular maintenance and repairs can have on the shelf life of an engine. Determining whether repairs were made and when parts were replaced – such as belts, pumps and hoses – will go a long way in projecting how much life is left in an engine.
Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a rebuilt diesel engine, be sure to consult the manufacturer for the care and upkeep guidelines you need to follow for your specific model going forward.
The Effect of Stopping and Starting on Rebuilt Diesel Engines
The ideal rebuilt engine is one that was used consistently over long durations with little idling.
Frequently stopping and starting is rough on an engine over the long term, and this choppy use not only depletes the engine’s fuel efficiency, but it can affect its overall productivity. Being able to ask the previous owner questions to get a good sense of utilization is critical to gaining an understanding of the usage history for the engine you’re considering buying.
Diesel engines are built to be tough. They have a higher tolerance and average lifespan than gasoline engines. But just because they’re supposed to have superior longevity doesn’t mean that they will.
You should take the age and overall runtime into consideration when shopping for rebuilt diesel engines, but this is just one piece of the puzzle. Ask a lot of questions about maintenance and utilization, and you’ll have a much clearer picture of how long rebuilt diesel engines can help power your company.
