Understanding Automotive Concerns

Should You Consider A Semi-Truck With A Rebuilt Or Overhauled Engine?

20 August 2018 by Sophia Banks

The used semi-truck market is full of trucks that have seen their fair share of work. Many of these hard-working trucks have even gained a second lease on life by having their engines rebuilt or overhauled. For many truck owners, an engine overhaul offers an economical alternative to a complete engine replacement. For someone in the market for an affordable used truck, however, an overhauled engine can have its share of benefits and drawbacks.

Pros

When performed by a knowledgeable and trusted shop, an engine overhaul can breathe new life into an aging semi-truck. Most overhauls involve a near-complete engine teardown with most of the engine's internals replaced with new parts or reworked to like-new condition. The average overhauled engine may come with new cylinder heads, main bearings and pistons, for example.

There are plenty of benefits to consider when buying a used semi-truck with a recently overhauled engine:

• A recent engine overhaul can easily extend a used semi-truck's service life, making it a bargain on the sales lot and a great investment on the open road.
• Overhauled engines can offer equivalent engine performance and fuel economy to brand-new semi-trucks, thanks largely to the abundance of replacement and refurbished parts.
• Buying a truck with an overhauled engine means you won't have to perform your own expensive overhaul in the future, and you'll also enjoy greater longevity with fewer maintenance costs. 

Cons

As with any purchasing decision, buying a used semi-truck with a rebuilt or overhauled engine can come with its share of caveats:

• Unless your truck comes with all of its service records, it's hard to tell the quality of the overhaul work, and the quality of the engine overhaul can vary from shop to shop, making the purchase of a semi-truck with an overhauled engine a gamble.
• Sloppy workmanship and/or the use of substandard parts can doom an overhauled engine to a potentially short life.
• You may not be able to benefit from the original manufacturer's warranty, and the warranty provided by the overhauler may be limited in mileage and scope.

Tips

If you find a used semi-truck with an overhauled engine, consider the following tips before you make your purchase:

• Always ask for service records; a complete set of records will tell you exactly what went into an overhauled engine and how long ago it was overhauled.
• Have an independent mechanic perform a close inspection, as your mechanic's trained eye can spot things that the average person might miss during their own inspection.
• If you don't like what you see, walk away, and if you see any red flags that may indicate a sloppy rebuild, don't hesitate to look elsewhere for your used semi-truck.

When you are ready to buy a used freightliner truck, contact companies like Arrow Truck Sales. 

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