I have noticed over time that cars with aluminium block engines are not easily repairable or rather not repairable (when they are getting worn out) like their cast block engine counterpart. I used a Nissan primera 2.0 aluminium engine and it was a waste of time and money ringing the engine. Now, I have Volvo 850, only for me to be advised to buy a tokunbo engine anytime the engine start smoking or wearing out.
Does this mean that these engines are so fragile that it cannot be overhauled or our local mechanic are not getting something right.
Learned expert and experienced fellows in the house Please contribute.

fm7070: I have noticed over time that cars with aluminium block engines are not easily repairable or rather not repairable (when they are getting worn out) like their cast block engine counterpart. I used a Nissan primera 2.0 aluminium engine and it was a waste of time and money ringing the engine. Now, I have Volvo 850, only for me to be advised to buy a tokunbo engine anytime the engine start smoking or wearing out.
Does this mean that these engines are so fragile that it cannot be overhauled or our local mechanic are not getting something right.
Learned expert and experienced fellows in the house Please contribute.

Contrary to the feeling that Aluminium engines are fragile, they are much more lighter and stronger than steel. But can't be welded the normal way steel is welded they have to be made using an expensive specialized process. As for the stupid advice to get engine ready when one fails shows you've been dealing with a monkey of a mechanic ignorantly. I believe you're learned and you can read well. I know you have access to internet and you can search on how preventive maintenance goes so as to prevent expensive heart stopping repairs. Please throw that monkey of a mechanic off your car service line, employ more time to study online learn some DIYs and employ someone who knows what he's doing. The last time I checked, engines don't smoke out abnormally, its mostly due to carelessness on the part of the owner or his/her clown mechanic not following manufacturers

One thing that can prolong the life of your aluminum engine is a proper coolant mixture not just water. Am sure there is a lot more you can do, please conduct the research and share with us

lomomike:
Contrary to the feeling that Aluminium engines are fragile, they are much more lighter and stronger than steel. But can't be welded the normal way steel is welded they have to be made using an expensive specialized process. As for the stupid advice to get engine ready when one fails shows you've been dealing with a monkey of a mechanic ignorantly. I believe you're learned and you can read well. I know you have access to internet and you can search on how preventive maintenance goes so as to prevent expensive heart stopping repairs. Please throw that monkey of a mechanic off your car service line, employ more time to study online learn some DIYs and employ someone who knows what he's doing. The last time I checked, engines don't smoke out abnormally, its mostly due to carelessness on the part of the owner or his/her clown mechanic not following manufacturers

Thanks so much for the advice. The first engine that came with the car was OK, but due to mechanic's stubbornness, the timing belt got broken, valves got bent and since I've used the engine very well for almost a year, I decided to buy another one so that I can also have some spare parts. Now, the second one started soaking plugs after about 5 months and it is obvious that the piston rings are worn out. I spoke to like 10 volvo specialists and they were all saying I should replace the engine and that if they ring the engine, they cannot give me any guarantee.
Let me point out that I used to travel with the car a lot because it doesn't fail and it's fast, the balancing is superb. I do at least 3000km/month. The only major challenge I ever have is this engine and am trying to weigh options so that I will not be beating about the bush.

IdaraCHODB: One thing that can prolong the life of your aluminum engine is a proper coolant mixture not just water. Am sure there is a lot more you can do, please conduct the research and share with us

Sir, you are very correct as overheating will expand the aluminium and cause major damage to the engine

fm7070:


Thanks so much for the advice. The first engine that came with the car was OK, but due to mechanic's stubbornness, the timing belt got broken, valves got bent and since I've used the engine very well for almost a year, I decided to buy another one so that I can also have some spare parts. Now, the second one started soaking plugs after about 5 months and it is obvious that the piston rings are worn out. I spoke to like 10 volvo specialists and they were all saying I should replace the engine and that if they ring the engine, they cannot give me any guarantee.
Let me point out that I used to travel with the car a lot because it doesn't fail and it's fast, the balancing is superb. I do at least 3000km/month. The only major challenge I ever have is this engine and am trying to weigh options so that I will not be beating about the bush.

If you love the car very much, then speak to others who use that vehicle or a trusted individual in your nearest spare parts market, they will show you the top dealers in quality engines for your type of vehicle. Then meet them and strike a deal, let the dealer know what you have passed through and know that nothing but grade 1 will satisfy you. If you have difficulty finding such a person, I might be able to leverage on my contacts to find one for you.

In the alternative, order that engine from the US, they will give you a certified low mileage engine.

I have once tried the engine rebuild thing in Nigeria. The engine will never be the same unless the repairman will follow the manufacturer engine rebuild manual and do such things as replace all the stretch bolts, torque the bolts to the right degree and some other seemingly minor requirements like replace the oil pump with new which will be found in the factory repair manual.

You will be entering dangerous uncharted territory by using an engine with such characteristics in your interstate trips, I tried and I got burnt, so I speak from experience.

You don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere.

I was ready to buy all the parts to rebuild my engine to factory specifications but I didn't find someone who could do it for me to such specifications, you may find someone but he will price his services way behind the cost of what they call Grade 1 Tokunbo or what it would cost you to buy and ship the same engine from the US.

So my candid advice, drop the 2 engines, do not sell them as scrap since you might need the parts and get a quality replacement engine for your own sake!!

IdaraCHODB:
If you love the car very much, then speak to others who use that vehicle or a trusted individual in your nearest spare parts market, they will show you the top dealers in quality engines for your type of vehicle. Then meet them and strike a deal, let the dealer know what you have passed through and know that nothing but grade 1 will satisfy you. If you have difficulty finding such a person, I might be able to leverage on my contacts to find one for you.
In the alternative, order that engine from the US, they will give you a certified low mileage engine.
I have once tried the engine rebuild thing in Nigeria. The engine will never be the same unless the repairman will follow the manufacturer engine rebuild manual and do such things as replace all the stretch bolts, torque the bolts to the right degree and some other seemingly minor requirements like replace the oil pump with new which will be found in the factory repair manual.
You will be entering dangerous uncharted territory by using an engine with such characteristics in your interstate trips, I tried and I got burnt, so I speak from experience.
You don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere.
I was ready to buy all the parts to rebuild my engine to factory specifications but I didn't find someone who could do it for me to such specifications, you may find someone but he will price his services way behind the cost of what they call Grade 1 Tokunbo or what it would cost you to buy and ship the same engine from the US.
So my candid advice, drop the 2 engines, do not sell them as scrap since you might need the parts and get a quality replacement engine for your own sake!!

Thank you. God bless you greatly. I am following you advice.

Have you ever changed your timing belt on the Volvo? If an engine is above 100k miles, change the timing belt and make it a rule at every 6000 miles, the belt costs 6k and so it is not an expensive habit. It is because you disregarded the regulation, hence you are having these issues.

Yes, the timing belt is intact. The car is properly serviced even before it is due for servicing
ordinarily, one should be able to ring engine like 2 times
but for aluminium engines, it seems to be impossible or not advisable