[mithun]

When an engine starts to use oil, and the car is too slow to escape its own smoke-screen, the average motorist's thoughts naturally turn to an overhaul. But there can be many other reasons for this behaviour like leaks, sump been over-filled etc....

So how can someone identify when the engine needs an overhaul ?

After how much KMS does a typical Indian car needs an overhaul ?

[wolfinstein]

my bet would be that close to a Lakh..! Just a Hypothetical example

Maruti 800- Around 1 lakh +- 10 k
Maruti ZEN - Around 1 lakh 20 K
Mitsubishi Lancer- Around 1 lakh 50
TATA Indica D- Around 1 lakh +-20 K

These are just examples of cars I have come across being overhauled, Engine conditions depend quite a lot on the User, Regular Service, Oil Changes,Driving conditions etc.

[passion4cars]

Hmmm.......

things to look for :-)

- oil / carbon deposit on spark plug
- Black Smoke from Exhaust ( enough to scare the BUS smokes or maybe Delhi's FOG )
- sluggish pick up
- Engine consuming Engine OIL ( for eg you topping up it every week )

your car needs an overhaul

Maruti 800 - 90K~1Lakh~110Lakh
Zen - 100 - 120 Lakh
Esteem - 120~150Lakh
Baleno - 150~175 Lakh
Ambassadoor / Fiat - Ram Bharosay .

Prior to above quoted Km's

YOU NEED SERIOUS DRVING TIPS n CAR MAINTENNACE TIPS

Tnx
-

[nitrous]

Engine compression test is enough.

[Mpower]

if your valve seals are busted, then compression will read OK but will still drink oil. Leakdown test will take care of that.

[nitrous]

What is a leakdown test??

[chandan]

I have clocked 150000km in my Esteem & it's still going great.No excessive oil consumption,no lack of torque,no black smoke....just that the body is not keeping up with age.

Regular servicing with change in oils,filters,sparkpugs etc will do the trick.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by nitrous

What is a leakdown test??

Dunno the details, but the pump compressed air into the spark plug hole and check something.

[hvkumar]

As Nitrous mentioned, the engine compression test indicates need for engine overhaul.

Often, piston ring leaks can be fixed without a full-fledged overhaul.

In my Mahindra Commander, I did my engine overhaul early at 75,000 kms thanks to a minor engine seizure. My Daewoo Matiz had its first engine overhaul at 153,000 kms, and the second overhaul came faster at 240,000 kms.

[mithun]

Is there any difference in the way of identifying when the engine needs an overhaul in the case of Petrol & Diesel vehicles ?

Originally Posted by passion4cars

things to look for :-)

- oil / carbon deposit on spark plug
- Black Smoke from Exhaust
- sluggish pick up
- Engine consuming Engine OIL (for eg you topping up it every week)

But Excessive Smoke can also be caused by...
1. Restricted Air Intake
2. Back Pressure too high, plugged muffler or exhaust
3. Thin air in hot weather
4. Poor fuel
5. Long Idle Time
6. Engine overloaded

So is it difficult to assess the need for an overhaul by a common man ?

[Ford Rocam]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Dunno the details, but the pump compressed air into the spark plug hole and check something.

Ya you are right air is compressed via spark plug hole, Actually Leak down test should be done after compression test it will narrow down where exactly you are loosing the compression either, Gasket, Piston rings or Intake or Exhaust Valve seats, Air is compressed via spark plug hole using a special measuring device which can measure the percentage of air compressed which is being lost. for detail explanation you can read it here.

Leak Down Test VFAQ

[mithun]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

the engine compression test indicates need for engine overhaul.

Does the compression test means checking whether there is any change in the original Compression ratio of the car ?

[hellstar]

Hi Could anyone enlighten the forum on the same topic but with focus in new age diesel engines ( CRdi ) ? That would be really helpful

[wolfinstein]

How is the compression checked..! Some MUT or ECU based testing or just simple mechanics

[chetanhanda]

Originally Posted by mithun

Does the compression test means checking whether there is any change in the original Compression ratio of the car ?

compression ratio never changes
compression test will check if there are any leaks in the cylinder due to worn/faulty piston rings etc...