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Engine Replacement

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Cylinder Block

Description:

The cylinder block is a casting generally made out of iron or aluminum and holds the crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, and camshaft (cam-in-block, overhead valves only). The cylinder block has numerous machined surfaces to provide a precision fit to mating parts.

Purpose:

The cylinder block serves as the main structural component of the engine and houses what’s commonly referred to as the “the bottom end” (crankshaft, rods, pistons). The cylinder block is extremely strong so it can withstand the rigors of engine torque and vibration while supporting all attached engine accessories and the transmission.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:

The engine in your vehicle will last for many thousands of miles if driven and cared for properly. The best way to care for the cylinder block is to follow a good maintenance regimen. This includes regular oil and filter changes, engine performance check-ups, and cooling system maintenance. If you notice that engine performance drops off, that the engine is using oil, or observe problems with coolant temperature or oil pressure, it’s wise to have these looked into at D & R Car Care as soon as possible by our qualified professionals.

Cylinder Head

Description:

A cylinder head is a casting generally made out of iron or aluminum that holds the valves, valve springs and retainers, and one or two camshafts (overhead cam engines only). The cylinder head has numerous machined surfaces to provide a precision fit to mating parts. Inline four- and six-cylinder engines have one cylinder head. V6, V8, and V10 engines have two cylinder heads.

Purpose:

The cylinder head, when used with a head gasket, seals the cylinders so they are capable of building compression for engine operation.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:

The engine in your vehicle will last for many thousands of miles if driven and cared for properly. The best way to care for the cylinder head is to follow a good maintenance regimen. This includes regular oil and filter changes, engine performance check-ups, and cooling system maintenance. The main enemy of the cylinder head is overheating. If you notice that the engine temperature is higher than normal, take your vehicle to D & R Car Care as soon as possible. Overheating can quickly warp aluminum cylinder heads and contribute to head gasket failure. Any time you notice engine performance dropping off or observe problems with coolant temperature or oil pressure, it’s wise to have these looked into as soon as possible at D & R Car Care.

Valve Train

Description:

The valve train typically includes the camshaft, valves, valve springs, retainers, rocker arms, and shafts. On engines with a traditional mounting of the camshaft in the cylinder block, the valve train also includes lifters and pushrods. Overhead cam engines may use more than one camshaft per cylinder head. Engines use different valve configurations, such as two, three, four, or five valves per cylinder. These various valve arrangements are used for different engine breathing requirements. Some engines also use variable valve timing, which allows the engine to change breathing characteristics under different operating conditions.

Purpose:

The cylinder head’s valves, when synchronized with the crankshaft of the cylinder block, allow the engine to “breathe”. In an engine, this means pulling the air and fuel mixture into the cylinder then pushing the burned exhaust gases out. The better an engine breathes the more efficient it becomes.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:

Check your owner’s manual to see if your vehicle requires periodic valve adjustments. Most vehicles no longer require them, but there are exceptions. To best care for the parts of the valve train, stick to a regular maintenance routine of oil and filter changes and proper cooling system care. Also, check the owner’s manual to find out what the maintenance interval is for the timing belt (if equipped). If the timing belt breaks on some engines, it can cause major damage to the valve train and other parts of the engine. Use the right gasoline for your vehicle as recommended in the owner’s manual. In some cases, the use of premium fuel when it’s not needed may cause deposits on the intake valves, which can cause performance problems. Some symptoms of problems in the valve train include an engine that makes a ticking noise, runs rough, bucks, surges, stalls, gets poor fuel economy, or fails an emissions test. Since the same symptoms can also be caused by other engine systems, take your vehicle to D & R Car Care and let a qualified service professional pinpoint the cause.