Overhaul of Engine

[Prozac]

Hi,

 

What does overhauling of an engine actually do to the engine? Does it actually improve anything or just a last min desperate measure to "extend" the life span of the engine..? Appreciate any feedback here.

 

Thanks

[Turbobrick]

I believe most overhauls involve stripping your engine apart. Then the pistons, piston rings, valves, etc. (depends on how old and how bad) are replaced before the engine is put back together. During that process other tuning/mods like port and polishing, balancing and extrude honing may be done as well.

[Prozac]

when u say tune the engine? How do you actually do it? What's the proces like?

[Turbobrick]

Port and polishing essentially is using a dremel tool to polish the cylinder walls to a super smooth surface for improved air flow (that's just simply putting it).

 

Such tuning is very much based on skills and expertise, not every mech can do it perfectly.

[Pauly75ts]

Hi! there. Prozac,

 

Whenever there's a need for an o/haul of the engine, firstly, you have to determine what was the cause that require it.

 

Generally speaking, most o/haul work are done for older cars, between 6-10 years old. What happens is parts in the engine is worn, causing cooling, oil consumption, leaks, and rough & noisy operation. Such problems are usually noticeable from oil leaks, coolant leaks, and sounds from the engine.

 

Other situations that can lead to an o/haul is, induction (intake) of water caused by floods from stormy weather. Water sucked in by your intake will cause the immediate loss of power, failure to shut off the engine immediately will surely lead to the disintegration of your engine parts from the valves all the way down to your crankshaft. That's the total loss of your engine, caused by the sudden cooling from the water that's sucked in.

 

Whatever that's stated in the vehicle manual on maintenance is to guide you to achieve the smooth operation of the vehicle. Some manuals will also tell you on the service intervals for the different environment that is encountered, e.g. dusty places, wet & humid, highway, country roads.

 

Whatever cause it is, to o/haul the engine, is to renew the worn parts so that the car will run well again. There's 2 type of engine o/haul, a simple & cheaper top o/haul and a complete engine o/haul.

 

For a top o/haul, it's the renewal of parts at the cylinder head, i.e. - head gasket, cam cover gasket, valves, springs & guides, cams, cam follower, oil & water seals.

 

A complete engine o/haul, with top o/haul also includes all gaskets, renew pistons & rings, all the bearings from the pistons to con-rods, water pump, oil pump, distributor, starter ring gear, water jackets, all the engine sensors (water, oil, pressure sensors), cleaning & removal deposits of all oil & water channels, replacement of crankshaft oil plugs, all seals for water & oil, balancing of crankshaft.

 

When everything is done, the engine will be tested for the correct operation of all work done. So, basically, it's like a new engine again.

 

This is the normal procedure used for an Alfa Romeo TwinCam engine, for a detailed procedure with pictures, goto this site :-

 

http://mev4474.home.texas.net/index.htm

 

Rgds

 

Paul Yong

[Prozac]

basically, i just renewed my 9 year old car's coe few months back. And I am considering all methods to make it feel new and last another 10 years... What kind of cost are we looking at for both types of overhaul? Any good workshops?

[Pauly75ts]

Hi! there, Prozac,

 

What car are you driving? If it's not an Alfa, you'll have to ask others, as I do my maintenance in MY. When I drove a Honda Civic, I did normal maintenance until it was scrapped. My Alfa is only my second car, so no chance to look for other cars w/shops.

 

Rgds

 

Paul Yong

[Prozac]

Hi,

 

Its a toyota Corona. Thanks for the info anyway, been most informative...

 

Happy motoring...

[Pauly75ts]

Hi! there, Prozac,

 

That would be also what Guyver has, why don't you ask him, he does his maintenance in MY too, I think. You can share info about things related with your car. I wish I could be like him, always going to Malacca for the weekends, weekdays, morning, afternoon, nights.

 

For me to do a good o/haul, it's to KL, Ipoh or Penang.

 

Rgds

 

Paul Yong

[Guyver]

Welcome to the club..... of Toyota Corona "big backside" version lovers.... i suggest that before u do anything.... i can bring u down to Auto Dynamic at Ubi... the boss drives a Corona too... so if u are really keen.... do give me a call @ 9858 7298 and we'll fix up from there. Btw, my corona is black..... how about yours? i've posted my car pics in our forum too.... u can take a look if u want.

 

What they say is right... overhaul your engine is like major thingy.... if i bring u to my cheap & good machanic... he'll tell u.... "aiyah, don't worry lah... toyota... don't need ... don't need ... the engine very good one"..... So rather than just jumping in and just do something blindly.... pls try to gather some of these info :

1) Fuel consumption in terms of km/litres (mine is 10km to 11km/litre)

2) Do u feel very very lack of power?

3) Is the engine very noisy?

 

Should be meet up at Ubi.... u'll have a good time to ask lots of question man...

[Prozac]

For starters,

 

1) Fuel consumption in terms of km/litres (mine is 10km to 11km/litre)

Mine travels about 8-9km/litre

 

2) Do u feel very very lack of power?

I drive the Corolla G8 often and its the same engine but I feel its somewhat more powerful...

 

3) Is the engine very noisy?

Engine is quite noisy, but the rumbling sound of the road noise is more disturbing... even though i have changed to comfort tires... Dunno what's the problem. Next in line is the suspension... any other stuff to change?

 

I am driving a manual btw. Now presently considering changing the following.

 

Heavy Duty Clutch

Lightened Flywheel

Ignition Coil System (the works)

CAI or K&N Air Filter

PBV

Port and Polish(Maybe)

17" Rims

Koni Suspension

 

Dunno whether worth the effort cos ultimately, if the ride is still going to be noisy on the move, not worth it imho.

 

Sure, let's meet up someday. Btw. what u done to your corona so far?

 

Rgds

[Yongwd]

R u driving a Corolla G8 1.6L ? It should be running on 4A-FE engine. I do not recommend any changes to the things listed below except PBV, P&P, Koni struts, and upsize to 15" rims will be just nice to compromise between fuel consumption and ride quality. 17" rims is totally out of AE111 specifications.

 

Your master and slave clutch pump do not support the heavy duty clutch pressure plates. Others not listed above I seriously think it is not going to have the original reliability.

 

Noisy on the move? Have u consider your shocks are worn? Your vehicle alighnment is out? Suspension sub-components are in good condition? Engine mountings? Steering rack mountings?

 

 

I am driving a manual btw. Now presently considering changing the following.

 

Heavy Duty Clutch

Lightened Flywheel

Ignition Coil System (the works)

CAI or K&N Air Filter

PBV

Port and Polish(Maybe)

17" Rims

Koni Suspension

 

Dunno whether worth the effort cos ultimately, if the ride is still going to be noisy on the move, not worth it imho.

 

Sure, let's meet up someday. Btw. what u done to your corona so far?

 

Rgds

[Prozac]

Hi,

 

I drive a AT190 using the 4A-FE engine as well. My car presently running on 15" already but look too family car already. What I mentioned about the G8 Corolla was in comparison to my car which utilises the same engine.

 

U mentioned Suspension sub-components, Engine mountings and Steering rack mountings. How do i check for that?

 

My mileage is about 207k km, bought the car at 135k km. Din change anything since then. Is it time for a change?

[Yongwd]

You might want to consider changing the timing belt, fan belt, a/c belt and oil seals during your next servicing. Remember the radiator hoses, transmission fluids. Its about time for replacement too.

 

Since you have renew coe for your at190, u might wan to consider changing the engine mounts if there is excessive vibration during idling.

 

You may consult your trusted mechanic on the things I mention below. Send me a private mail if u would like me to test ur baby

 

I have a AE101 which is on 4A-FE engine too. I just renewed coe for this car. Things I have DIY-ed myself are :

 

Replace stabiliser link (front and back)

Replace top and lower radiator water hose

Replace a thermostat

Replace a radiator cap

Strip and clean the throttle body

Retune idling

Replace rear drum shoes

Replace front brake pads (with mintex)

Renew brake fluid

Check front brake caliper piston seals

Check rear drum brake cylinders

Make sure all brake hoses and master cylinder are good condition

 

Yet to do :

Replace idling control valve

Replace all interior light blubs including meters

Sound proofing door panel and rear side panel

Upgrade to 15" tyres

 

 

Things done by mechanic

Renew the auto transmission box fluid (Castrol mineral DEX II)

Change all 4 struts (KYB)

Change 1 drive shaft - excessive free play

4 wheel Realighnment in JB

Replace a new battery

 

 

Hi,

 

I drive a AT190 using the 4A-FE engine as well. My car presently running on 15" already but look too family car already. What I mentioned about the G8 Corolla was in comparison to my car which utilises the same engine.

 

U mentioned Suspension sub-components, Engine mountings and Steering rack mountings. How do i check for that?

 

My mileage is about 207k km, bought the car at 135k km. Din change anything since then. Is it time for a change?

[Stepper]

what is the stabilizer link for?

I also drive a renew coe car. my rear is suffering from excessive vibration over uneven road is this the cause?

how much r they?

[Guyver]

Ok, wah!! that's a long list of yours!! Are u sure u want to dump this kind of $$? That's why i say u should have gotten the 2.0litre version.

[Yongwd]

If I were to get a 2L version, I would long time ago kept my Merc then to scrap it and get a COE 1.3 and 1.6. Anyway total I have spend on the parts alone is around $480. Labour throw in another $100-200 since most of the items I DIY, should last for next 5-6yrs.

 

 

Ok, wah!! that's a long list of yours!! Are u sure u want to dump this kind of $$? That's why i say u should have gotten the 2.0litre version.

[Yongwd]

It is a piece of interlink ball joints at both ends connecting the anti roll bar and your lower arm (for front) or struts (for rear).

 

Refer this thread with pictures for more info. Gavin has replaced his ...

 

http://www.mycarforum.com/forum/gforum.cgi...ti%20roll;#4176

 

How severe is the vibration? Is the car lowered or riding on as gasmatic struts?

 

 

what is the stabilizer link for?

I also drive a renew coe car. my rear is suffering from excessive vibration over uneven road is this the cause?

how much r they?