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In the highly competitive world of automotive engine installation exchange, the consumer needs to be aware of certain factors that can save them from unnecessary expense, headaches, and misunderstandings. Statistics show that one of the main problems is that consumers choose their automotive repair shop based solely on the cheapest price estimate they can find- only to regret it when it's too late.
READ WHAT SOME COMPANIES DON'T WANT CONSUMERS TO KNOW...
Automotive engine replacement or rebuilding is a major investment for most consumers. When
consumers
call any repair shop for an engine exchange installation (or rebuilding)
estimate, companies have a tendency to tell them what they are going to give
them, NOT necessarily what they will probably need in addition to the request.
Most consumers don't know what's involved in an engine installation or
rebuilding. For that matter, many don't even know what constitutes the "engine."
Engine installation companies are aware of this, along with the fact that other
items will inevitably be needed in conjunction with the engine installation.
Some make you aware of this fact BEFORE they begin the work and some don't. From
the consumer's point of view, however, this poses a concern in that the engine
company does not know conclusively to what extent other items are needed until
the vehicle is brought in and disassembled- since obstructions and concealments
exist with the engine in place. In other words, when the consumer calls for a
price quote, they are getting just that- a price, not the actual cost it might
take to fix it right. No professional engine installation company installs a
replacement engine in any vehicle without examining vital areas that could
adversely affect the engine's performance and life. To do otherwise would be
suicidal and an injustice to the consumer. The biggest injustice, however, is
that in many cases the consumer is not made aware of this scenario beforehand.
Some of the items that professional engine installation companies inspect, for
example, are the cooling system's radiator, water pump, thermostat, hoses, &
drive belts. If these items are reused and fail, the new engine could be damaged
from overheating, voiding the warranty. It it therefore commonplace and logical
for professional engine installation companies to go through an extensive
examination of the engine's surrounding environment to make sure nothing
jeopardizes the new engine installation. Thus, recommendations to change certain
items that appear old will be recommended. The decision in all cases is yours,
of course. But remember that the declining of recommended repairs that cause a
problem with the engine may void the warranty. Nevertheless, when deciding which
engine installation company to use, keep this in mind: If something sounds too
good to be true, it probably is. And, be very aware of engine installation
companies that consistently bait you with cheap, come-on price quotes because
this may indicate a scam besides the fact that the company may be employing less
skilled technicians and/or selling inferior products. All of this can result in
repeated rechecks and wasted time bringing your vehicle back and forth for the
same problems. Read More About What Some Companies Fail to Tell You:
What You Didn't Ask About But Should Have
How
long is the LABOR warranty? Some companies tell you that they are going
to give you 3 or more years warranty on an engine installation. On the surface,
this sounds great. But be very careful. As mentioned before, companies tell you
what they are going to give you, but frequently the important details are left
out. For example, while some companies are ready to tell you their warranty is
for so many years or months, they purposely don't divulge the labor warranty
which may only be 90 days or less. You find this out AFTER you get the job done
and read the warranty. This means if a breakdown occurs after 90 days, you pay
ALL labor charges, which in many cases is the biggest expense. Yes, the part is
warranted for so many years, but you pay all labor charges.
Will I
need other items besides the engine? Like with any repair in the
automotive mechanical repair business, the surrounding environment comes into
question since components work together and function dependant on one another.
Engine installation is no exception. For example, overheating is one of the main
problems with engine damage. Therefore, items like your cooling system, drive
belts, water pump, radiator & hoses, etc. need to be in good condition or they
can adversely affect the engine's life and performance. Warranties do not cover
damage due to overheating, and engine remanufactures tag their engines with
special heat sensor tabs that melt when overheated to indicate this. So to
insure successful engine installation, many shops use a check list to inspect
items of concern and then these items are presented to you in the form of an
additional estimate. However, such items cannot be fully determined until the
engine is removed from the vehicle and inspected. This is because many items
cannot be examined when obstructions exist in the engine compartment. The
condition and age of your vehicle determines to what extent other items may be
needed. For example, rubber components such as hoses have a 4-year life
expectancy. Ultimately, you have the choice to decline any recommended items but
doing so can cause engine damage or breakdown which can jeopardize the
warranty. A word of caution on engine quote sale's pitches: Be aware when a sales persons tells you on the engine job price quote that it "includes all your gaskets & seals." As mentioned earlier, companies like telling you what they are going to give you, but sometimes it is items that you normally get anyway- already included in the price quote. Nevertheless, this type sale's pitch is comparable to a car salesman telling you that the new car that you are inquiring about includes a steering wheel and all of the tires. Another sales tactic employed to get the edge on the price-shopping playing field is the use of grading engines in letter categories (grade A, B, C) to indicate their quality. This is done to play down the competition's price quote despite the fact that engines are never graded like dairy products- only by the mileage and/or warranty they carry. Reputable engine installation shops only deal with quality engine providers they have a long-time relationship with. They do not shop unfamiliar companies where the product's reliability may be in question and where the company may be here today and gone tomorrow when warranty issues arise.
"Rebuilt"
versus "remanufactured" engine? (What's the difference?) The term
"remanufactured" indicates that the engine was completely reconditioned to the
highest specifications in all areas in a factorylike facility where all the
machine shop equipment and procedures are carefully monitored and performed
routinely. Engine remanufacturing is a precession work, performed by highly
skilled machinists. As mentioned, the engine is completely reconditioned in
every area- not just in the broken or bad areas. (click to see what is included
in our remanufactured engines). Remanufactured engines are sold on an exchange
bases in most cases- meaning your old engine (core) is turned in as an exchange.
In many cases it must be in good condition, no holes, cracks, or excessive
damage to the block or heads or a core charge may apply. Remanufactured engines
are the best quality engines you can buy when compared to having an engine
"rebuilt." Requesting a "rebuilt engine" or "rebuilding" an engine may be a
costly mistake. For example, the rebuilder may only make partial repairs to the
engine, cleaning or not replacing items that otherwise would be addressed in a
remanufactured engine. This could mean, for example, that the camshaft or
crankshaft if not severely damaged may be cleaned and reused along with other
internal items. Reusing and not reconditioning or replacing such items can cause
early engine failure- often not covered by the warranty. Also, the engine must
be in "rebuildable condition" to have this performed. Sometimes engines are
damaged beyond the point of rebuilding. However, this cannot be determined by
the repair shop until the engine is removed and completely disassembled and
inspected. Even if the engine is running, doesn't insure that it can be rebuilt.
Some engines, for example, may have already been bored out (cylinder block
piston bores) to the extreme, making re-boring impossible. This can be a "Catch
22" situation for the consumer, because if in the event it is discovered that it
is not rebuildable, then another engine will be needed at additional costs-
often times costing considerably more in both labor and whatever another engine
will cost. Some shops only quote rebuilding engines (or rebuilt engines) because
they know that they can quote a lower price in comparison to shops that quote
prices for quality factory remanufactured engines. However, in many cases this
is to get you into their shop knowing that there's a good possibility the engine
is NOT rebuildable- discovered after disassembly. Even if you decline the
additional price quote for another engine & labor, you are now obligated to pay
the labor charges up to the point you declined the work.
What
exactly is the "engine" or "engine long block" or "short block?"
This
is a good question if you are not a technician in the business. The "engine" or
"engine long block" plain and simple is the cylinder head(s) and block with its
internal components (click to see what an engine long block looks like). In most
cases it does not include components like intake & exhaust manifolds, oil pan,
alternator, carburetor or fuel injectors, or any accessories, or anything not
constituting the "engine" itself. These components are transferred to the new
engine if not damaged. Sometimes consumers ask for a "short block" installation.
Often this kind of request is based on misunderstanding of the term. In any
case, a "short block" is not the "engine" as earlier defined but is the lower
half of it- without the cylinder head(s). Asking for half of an engine is not
only an improper repair request, it may also prompt an improper repair procedure
by someone inexperienced in the business. To make such a request suggests that
you want the old cylinder heads to be reused on the new short block. If the
heads are old, warped, or have valve problems, the engine will not run properly
and could damage the new short block. Sometimes customers want to use the same
old heads because they claim they were recently replaced. However, if they were
replaced before the engine failed (indicating the heads were used on the engine
at time of failure), the heads could be damaged. Short blocks generally do not
carry more than 6 months warranty and warranty may be voided if old heads are
used on a new short block. Note: Inquires about previous mileage on a remanufactured engine long block or short block should never be a factor of concern for the consumer, since it has been completely remanufactured with no mileage accumulation on it until operated (run) in the vehicle to which it was installed. Asking an engine exchange company how many miles is on the new remanufactured engine reinforces to them that you have no idea about the product to which you are inquiring about.
How To Choose The Right Repair Shop -Evaluate the Reputation of the Company
Years of Experience... is a good barometer to look for when choosing
the right company. If the shop has many years of experience, they will usually
advertise this. If they don't, ask about it. This does not necessarily mean that
a shop with less years experience is a bad choice. But the following other 4
factors also need to be considered. LaBella's Auto Repair has over 40 years of
experience in the automotive mechanical repair business.
READ MORE CLICK
Product
Warranty... Virtually all products come with some type of warranty.
Some warranties cover the product only to a certain degree. These are called
stipulated warranties. This means that while the product carries a warranty,
there are specific limitations. Those limitations protect both the consumer and
the merchant. The weight of a warranty can indicate the product's worth or
quality to a great degree. The best warranty in the engine installation business
is those that back both the labor and the product. Some warranties as indicated
only cover the labor for 90 days or less. This might indicate that the product
would have a tendency to fail in the area of less warranty. At LaBella's Auto
Repair, we offer you a choice: a warranty similar to that of our competitors or
one that covers both parts and labor for unlimited mileage where available.
Rapport
with the BBB... Members of the BBB are generally interested in their
reputation with the consumer. While all automotive repair businesses have some
complaints, some have much more than others. How one responds and cooperates
with the BBB when a problem arises, determines the reputation of that shop in
regard to customer satisfaction. Some companies don't cooperate with the BBB in
this regard, and their report will reflect this. Consumers can check with the
BBB by way of their automated report system for checking a company's track
record. LaBella's Auto Repair is in good standing with the BBB and has even
received an award for doing so.
Members of
an Automotive Association... Companies that are members of an
automotive association pay certain dues and have to meet certain high standard
criteria to remain a member. Belonging to an association indicates to the
consumer that the member is conscientious in his skills and customer
relationships. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is one notable
association of this type. Shop's who become members benefit with a group voice
in Congress in regard to laws that regulate independent garage businesses.
LaBella's Auto Repair is a member of the Automotive Service Association (ASA).
READ MORE CLICK
Employs
Highly Qualified Technicians... In the complex world of automotive
repair, it is most critical to hire skilled technicians. Skilled technicians are
not cheaply paid and, most importantly, not easy to find. Anthony (Jerry)
LaBella (owner of LaBella's Auto Repair) is a master certified technician in
every field of automotive mechanical repair with over 40 years experience.
READ MORE CLICKAll certifications and credentials mentioned herein are open to the public for viewing upon request.
For further information not answered here, call us: 504-469-9986
Info provided by LaBella's Auto Repair www.labellasautorepair.com Anthony (Jerry) LaBella
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