That old diesel vehicle has lasted you hundreds of thousands of miles, but the engine has finally given in, and you know you have to start looking at replacements. Buying a remanufactured engine is a logical solution for a lot of diesel vehicle owners, but going this route should take some careful planning and knowledge. Take a look at some of the questions owners tend to have about buying a remanufactured diesel engine and the answers you should know to help you.
What's the difference in remanufactured and rebuilt diesel engines?
If you find an engine that has been remanufactured, it is easy to assume that this just means the engine has been rebuilt. However, rebuilt diesel engines and remanufactured diesel engines are two different things. A rebuilt diesel engine has been repaired by replacing whatever failed in that engine to start with. A remanufactured diesel engine has been pretty much completely restored to its prior state by installing new parts, adjusting all settings, and reverting any changes according to the manufacturer's blueprints. For example, if you find a remanufactured Ford diesel engine Powerstroke 6.0, it means this engine will be just like it was when it left the factory.
Is it safe to buy remanufactured engines from individuals?
You are probably not going to find a lot of individuals who have remanufactured diesel engines for sale unless they just bought one that did not end up being used. These engines are most often for sale through specific dealers, especially if the remanufacturing work is advertised as certified. You can say an engine is remanufactured, but there is a big difference between saying so and actually offering a remanufactured engine that can be certified with a warranty because the technician who did the remanufacturing process was certified themselves. It is usually best to stick with licensed distributors.
Do all recertified diesel engines come with a warranty?
If you buy the remanufactured engine from a reputable dealer, you can almost guarantee it will come with a warranty against defects. However, if you buy your engine from an individual or some company who doesn't have the proper qualifications, it may not come with a warranty at all. Be really careful where you buy your remanufactured engine; it is horrible to get one installed and find out it doesn't work. These diesel engines can be an expensive investment and a lengthy installation process.