How to Overhaul a Motor

car motor

What Is Motor Overhaul?

It is common knowledge that without a motor, a car cannot be driven or operated in any manner under its own power. So, when the motor is worn out and doesn’t have the power it used to, what do you do? Not as much with the new cars of today, there was a time when a motor “wore out”, the owner, or a mechanic would do amotor overhaul.

To appreciate and have a better understand a motor in overhaul process, let’s review just how does car motor work? Car motor or engine is an internal-combustion operation, a heat engine& that converts energy from fuel into mechanical torque.

There are pistons are housed in cylinders inside the car motor. They work like your legs do riding a bicycle, moving up and down. The pistons are connected to a crankshaft with rods and when they go up and down, they spin that crankshaft, giving the motor power. There are a lot of smaller details to this working, but we’ll save that for another time, keeping our focus on the process of a motor overhaul today.

Mechanical things naturally will wear out, give us a limited lifetime, and a car motor is nothing different. With the amount of wear and tear of a car motor, overhaul is one to get a longer lifespan and minimize the small repairs that can be inconvenient and expensive.

A motor overhaul entails taking the engine apart and replace the faulty, old, worn out components. It isn’t creating a new engine, but a motor overhaul will extend the life of the motor to keep from getting a new car payment. The process of a motor overhaul is somewhat complex and time consuming, with each engine type taking a different amount of time with different complexities.

If you’re taking your car to a mechanic for a motor overhaul, choose one that a good reputation and will deliver the results you expect and need. The basic steps of a motor overhaul consist of the following:

Step One: The motor may be removed or simply lifted up from the car.

Step Two: The motor is disassembled. This entails separating the motor from components like the compressor and pumps.

Step Three: All bolts, nuts, shims, and other engine hardware are removed.

Step Four: Finally, the rotors are removed and then the engine is ready to be inspected. The experienced mechanic will do a visual inspection. With all the computerized technology available today in the mechanic industry, nothing beats motor overhaul experience of a trained mechanic. They can often see things with their eyes, ears, and nose than technology can find. A seasoned mechanic knows to observe things like dust and moisture that could be the problem, or a burning smell as the dismantle the motor. The remaining motor overhaul checklist continues as follows:

Step Five: The mechanic will rotate the shafts to check the bearings.

Step Six: The mechanic will check the ports to make sure the engine has been cooling.

Step Seven: The motor is cleaned, and all faulty components are repaired or replaced.

Step Eight: The motor is placed under a heat lamp to dry the inside and remove all moisture.

Step Nine: As the mechanic reassembles the motor overhaul, they will lubricate the motor to enhance the motor functioning.

Step Ten: The mechanic will put the motor through a series of testing that ensures them it is done.

What Is a Car Motor Mount?

The typical engine mount is made of rubber. This keeps them from clanging against the metal car frame. Some are liquid filled to reduce any vibrations and some are vacuum-controlled that automatically dampen those vibrations and sounds.

There are different mounts to a car engine, and during a motor overhaul, they are typically replaced. The engine mount does exactly what the name says: It keeps the engine in place. Then there is the transmission mounts that keep the engine and transmission bolted together so the engine or transmission can’t move.

How to Clean Car Motor?

Because there are many electrical components, mechanical parts, belts and more, most people aren’t sure about cleaning the motor. Yes, a lot can go wrong if not done carefully, but the manual process isn’t as complicated as you may think.

The more a car is driven, the more it will pick up dirt, grime, and such while it accumulates grease and oily residue. These things make a car engine look dirty and the car motor efficiency begins to diminish. Cleaning a car engine once a year will extend the life and keep it running better, giving you better gas mileage. The following steps for a manual cleaning can be completed within a couple of hours:

  • Make sure the engine is cool before you begin and avoid spraying any water on the engine in attempt to cool it. That can lead cracking and warping the engine.
  • Open the hood and while the engine cools, use plastic bags to cover the electrical components. This includes the air intake system, the alternator, and the distributor. Tape the bags closed.
  • Disconnect the battery terminals and remove the battery.
  • Apply the cleaner and follow instructions. Typically most instruct to let the cleaner sit for 3 to 5 minutes so that it penetrate the dirt, grease, grime, and oil.
  • With a non-metallic brush, agitate the dirt, grease, grime, and oil built up on the motor.
  • Rinse and clear by spraying water over the engine, brushing the dirt, grease, grime, and oil away as you spray.
  • Once you have completed this, remove plastic bag coverings, folding them inward to avoid any water dripping or running out on the electrical components.
  • Using clean towels or an air compressor, dry the engine thoroughly.
car engine

Exactly What Is the Difference Between Car Motor vs Engine?

Motor is defined as a machine that provides motive power for a car or other mechanism that has moving parts. Engine is defined as a machine with parts that move and converts that power into motion. Call (404) 920-4252& today for your car motor overhaul needs in Marietta and Atlanta, GA.

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