Semi-Truck Engine Rebuilt Cost and Things to Consider

The longer you use a semi-truck, the greater the temptation to buy a new one. As time goes on, a semi-truck engine is unlikely to perform as well as it did when it was newly bought, even with proper maintenance. Wear and performance loss is inevitable. However, buying one or more new semi-trucks or engines, depending on your operation, may be too costly.

There is another potentially cost-efficient option: rebuilding the engine. This article looks at the cost of rebuilding a semi's engine. It also outlines the benefits of rebuilding a semi's engine and a few other important things to consider. But first, we consider what a semi-truck engine rebuild is and when it is needed.

Semi-Truck Rebuild: What It Is and When You Need It

A rebuild of a semi-truck engine is the restoration or overhaul of the engine and some of its components. Engine rebuilding is also known as engine overhaul or restoration. The process of rebuilding a semi-truck engine goes further than simple repairs or maintenance procedures. It is a comprehensive procedure meant to give an engine new life.

A rebuild of a semi's engine will involve removing, dismantling, cleaning, and inspecting various components. In many cases, a semi-truck engine rebuild may entail replacing engine components like pumps, bearings, seals, gaskets, cylinder heads, injectors, piston liners, rings, etc.

Many engines have specific factory-approved procedures for performing an overhaul, including when to perform it. Generally, most engines are recommended for rebuilds after between 750,000 and 500,000 miles. Some signs your semi-truck engine needs a rebuild or overhaul include:

• Poor fuel efficiency
• High oil consumption
• Low cylinder compression
• Low power
• Blue or white smoke
• Hard starting
• Various component breakdowns
• Significant engine blow-by

These symptoms on their own do not necessarily mean you need an engine rebuild. A fix for a particular issue may be enough. However, a combination of these symptoms together with very high mileage is a clear sign for getting your semis engine rebuilt. Further, these symptoms can reduce performance and increase the costs of running your business if not addressed. Some of them could also lead to complete engine failure.

Depending on the nature of the damage, a failed engine, in some cases, can be rebuilt. However, it is best not to get to that point. To ascertain if your semi's engine requires a rebuild, get expert advice at a nearby shop.

Benefits Of Rebuilding a Semi-Truck Engine

There are a few reasons we can think of to rebuild your semi's engine rather than purchase a new one or a new truck. Some of these benefits include:

• Engine rebuilding is cheaper than engine replacement or truck replacement
• Fixes major issues and minor ones that you may not detect otherwise
• Reduction in the cost of maintaining the engine and operating it
• Improvement in fuel and oil efficiency
• Improved performance, power consumption, and reliability
• Provides an opportunity to make significant engine upgrades
• Prevents catastrophic engine failure

How Much Does It Cost to Rebuild a Semi-Truck Engine?

There is no generally agreed price for rebuilding a semi-truck engine. The cost of carrying out this procedure will vary with every engine. The type of engine, condition of the engine, and cost of replacement parts will all contribute to the final cost. The more severe the engine situation or the higher the parts needing replacement, the more expensive the rebuild becomes.

Even though an exact figure cannot be determined for a semi's engine rebuild, a general estimate can be given. In general, engine rebuilds cost somewhere between 15,000 and 40,000 US dollars for both the parts and labor.

Things to consider when rebuilding a semi-truck engine

The cost of rebuilding an engine is not the only thing you should keep in mind when rebuilding your semi's engine. There are some other things you should have thought about; they are discussed below.

1) The Shop Where The Rebuild Is Done

Rebuilding an engine is a significant process that requires a lot of skill and attention to detail. It is possible that you have a repair shop or in-house mechanics that service and maintain your semi-truck. However, rebuilding an engine requires more skill than just routine maintenance or repairs. Thus, you have to be sure your current repair shop or mechanic has the skills to rebuild your engine. You can obtain evidence through reviews.

A forgotten screw or improperly connected line during a rebuild could create greater problems than if you did not rebuild the engine at all. With certified professionals, you are likely to get original or high-quality replacement parts.

Some shops may work well with older engines and not newer ones. For example, older engines do not have complex emissions systems and may be easier to work on. Newer components have advanced and complicated emissions components like exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalysts, and diesel particulate filters that require high technical knowledge.

Finally, not all engines are the same. Before leaving your engine with anyone, ensure they have expertise with your engine brand. It is possible that a mechanic or shop has the knowledge and experience to rebuild some engine brands and not others. Do careful research, read reviews, ask for referrals, and inquire about warranties/guarantees before leaving your semi's engine with a shop.

2) Plan For Downtime

Engine rebuilds or overhauls are not brisk procedures. This procedure takes time. Engine overhauls require precision. Rushing the process increases the possibility of problems. Most semi-trucks have much larger engines than a regular car. Even the process of removing it from the truck could take some time.

The time it will take to rebuild a semi-truck engine will depend on the type of engine, the condition of the engine, the shop, and the ease of sourcing parts. A semi-truck rebuild could take a few weeks or up to two months. It may take longer, especially if the shop has a backlog of jobs to fulfill. Thus, you need to plan ahead. Below are some things you can do to help with the downtime.

• If you have multiple engines to rebuild, consider staggering the rebuilds if you do not have alternatives.
• If the duration of the rebuild will be costly for your operation, consider leasing replacements for that period.
• Schedule the rebuild ahead of time to enable you to source for alternatives beforehand.
• Get a quote from the shop to determine the estimated duration for the rebuild.
• Ask for updates on the progress of the overhaul.
• In some situations where downtime cannot be completely avoided, communicate with your customers about the upcoming downtime.
• Have a contingency plan in place in case the rebuild takes longer than expected.

3) Cost Of a Rebuild Vs. Cost of New Engine

Considering how much we have extolled the virtues of rebuilding your semi-truck engine, it is not difficult to understand your confusion with this point. Don't be confused. There are some situations where rebuilding an old engine is not the wisest course of action, and we must point those situations out.

Firstly, you must consider the age and condition of an engine. Some engines are too old, too worn to be worth rebuilding. An engine with very high mileage and that may have undergone previous rebuilds may have just hit its terminal point. In this case, rebuilding such an engine may not offer any tangible improvements. This is why getting a thorough inspection and advice from reputable repair shops is important before you actually proceed with a rebuild. Also, it may be difficult to source replacement parts for old and outdated machines.

Another reason is cost. Yes, you are confused again. This article has emphasized how a rebuild is cheaper than a new engine. However, there are exemptions. With some engines, the cost of a replacement is not significant when compared to a rebuild. The engine may not be brand new; it may be fairly used. But if it is in much better condition than your old engine and has lower mileage, going for a replacement could be the better choice for long-term performance and reliability. Once again, proper inspection, research, and consultation are important for arriving at such a decision.

Another reason for getting a new engine with lower mileage is that it increases the resale value of your semi-truck. If you have any near plans for selling your semi-truck, a replacement engine will increase your semi's value. In addition, the procedure for replacing an engine is not as long as getting one rebuilt, reducing downtime. Further, newer engines come with longer warranties than rebuilt ones.

As explained, there are a lot of reasons to consider replacing your semi's engine as opposed to rebuilding it. Get an expert's opinion, compare the prices of the two options, and consider your current operational situation before making a choice.

Conclusion

There are many reasons for rebuilding your semi's engine. You can increase performance, reduce maintenance, fix issues, and prevent engine damage. Also, rebuilding a semi-truck engine may be a more cost-efficient way to boost performance than replacing it. There is no set price for rebuilding an engine. Many factors dictate it. However, in general, the procedure costs between $15,000 and $40,000, with exceptions.

Besides the cost, there are a few things you should consider before you rebuild your truck's engine. Ensure the shop has the expertise to carry out the overhaul for your engine. Also, plan for potential downtime. Further, consider replacing the engine instead of rebuilding it. Sometimes, replacing instead of rebuilding the engine may be more efficient and cost-friendly than your guess.