Ivor Searle’s insight into engine remanufacturing
Ivor Searle’s commercial director, David Eszenyi, provides an insight into engine remanufacturing, the difference between reman and reconditioning, and its positive impact on sustainability.
Remanufacturing and reconditioning are sometimes used as equivalent terms where engines are concerned – but they are completely different. A reconditioned engine is a unit that has been fully stripped or partly disassembled, cleaned and may have had some damaged components replaced prior to being rebuilt.
In contrast, a remanufactured engine has been returned to the VM’s original factory specification. Furthermore, a remanufactured engine is required to meet a specific standard for it to be described as such under BSI AU 257:2002. This is a British Standard Automobile Series Code of Practice that applies to the remanufacturing of ICEs. The standard fully details the procedures and operations for the remanufacturing of both spark (petrol) and compression ignition (diesel) engines.
These processes include the detailed inspection and checking of components against manufacturer tolerances. Key parts, including pistons and ring sets, big and small end bearings and bushes, as well as gaskets, seals, timing chains and drive belts, are all required to be renewed, while items, such as tensioners and dampers, are also required to be inspected and replaced if necessary.
Further important operations, such as intensive cleaning, crack testing machined components and the deburring of reworked oil pathways, are also undertaken to ensure the original specification of the engine is achieved with full reliability. In addition to having all key clearances, tolerances and end floats checked after assembly, the standard also requires complete engines to be checked for oil pressure and compression.
Sustainability
Remanufactured units offer a sustainable solution compared to purchasing a brand new OEM product too, as considerably less energy and materials are used in the engine remanufacturing process. Remanufacturing conserves approximately 55kg in core metal, and around 85% of the engine’s original components are returned to OEM specification.
The main advantage of sourcing remanufactured engines, turbos and gearboxes is the lower price point, with replacement major units from specialists like ourselves costing around 40% less than a brand new OEM product. This helps to minimise the cost for end-users for what is typically a distress purchase and provides workshops with a competitive edge to support them in securing repair work.
Serving over 1,500 factor automotive distribution outlets across the UK and EU, Ivor Searle products are available off-the-shelf for next-day delivery on stocked items. Alongside a dedicated sales and customer service team, the website – www.ivorsearle.co.uk – enables agents to gain quotes quickly and easily and place orders online. The site features a unique VRN look-up facility, as well as search by vehicle make, model or engine code.
Quality remanufactured products also offer the benefit of full warranty protection; for example, our engines, cylinder heads and gearboxes are provided with a transferable 12-month unlimited mileage parts and labour warranty, while a two-year warranty covers all turbochargers. Expert support is also provided by a dedicated aftersales team.
As an independent producer of remanufactured automotive major units with a track record of more than 75 years, we offer an all-makes library of petrol and diesel engines, cylinder heads, gearboxes and turbochargers for LCVs.
The company also provides a fast-turnaround DPF cleaning service that delivers “as new levels of performance” by removing all soot and ash deposits. Covering around 90% of the UK’s vehicle parc, Ivor Searle’s products and services cater for all makes of LCVs.
