Question 1

Should I rebuild or repower my diesel engine?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

It depends on the engine's condition, its hours and what parts for it cost. We check compression, the fuel and cooling systems and the oil, then give you a written estimate for each option, so you can compare a rebuild with a replacement engine before anything is done.

Question 2

What is the difference between repairing a diesel engine and rebuilding it?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

A repair fixes the part that failed, such as an injector, a pump or a gasket. A rebuild takes the engine apart and renews its worn internal parts, such as rings, bearings and gaskets, with any machining done by a machine shop. We tell you which one your engine needs after the diagnosis, with a written estimate.

Question 3

How much does a diesel engine overhaul cost?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

Labor is $150 an hour, plus parts and the trip fee for work at your boat. A diagnosis is at least $300 for each engine; then you get a written estimate for the repair, and nothing is done without your OK.

Question 4

Do you check the cooling system during an overhaul?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

Yes. Overheating is often caused by a clogged raw-water intake or strainer, a worn impeller or a stuck thermostat. We check the whole cooling system, find the cause and quote the repair before we do it.

Question 5

Can the overhaul be done with the boat at my dock?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

Yes. Whether your boat is in the water or on a trailer, we come to you in San Pedro, Wilmington, Long Beach, Redondo Beach, Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour, Marina del Rey and Newport Beach; farther places on request. Each visit has a one-way trip fee by distance, from $30 in San Pedro to $110 in Newport Beach.

Question 6

Can you bring back a diesel engine that has been sitting for years?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

Often, yes. We start with a compression test and a check of the fuel, starting and cooling systems, then tell you what can be repaired and what needs replacing, with a written estimate. Old fuel is drained and disposed of, and the fuel system cleaned, before the engine is started.

Question 7

What if the starter engages but the engine will not turn at all?

Lukas · Accepted Answer

That usually points to a weak battery or a poor connection, a starter that has failed, or an engine that is seized or has water in a cylinder. Do not keep cranking it: we test the batteries, cables and starter and check whether the engine turns by hand, then give you a written estimate for the repair.

Question 8

What is a powerhead swap and why is it needed?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

The powerhead is the outboard's engine itself: block, crankshaft, pistons and heads. When it is damaged beyond a sensible repair, for example a scored cylinder, a spun bearing or very low compression, we replace it with a remanufactured powerhead and move your fuel system, electrics and other parts across, keeping your midsection, lower unit and controls. We always find out why the old one failed first.

Question 9

How long does a powerhead replacement take?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

The swap itself is typically 10 to 15 hours of labor, about one to two working days, once the remanufactured powerhead has arrived. Shipping time depends on the supplier, and we confirm it with your quote. We then run the break-in procedure and test the engine under load.

Question 10

Are remanufactured powerheads as reliable as new ones?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

A good remanufactured powerhead is rebuilt with new pistons and bearings and fresh machining and is tested before it ships, so it should run like new. Quality varies by supplier, so we use established remanufacturers. The powerhead carries the remanufacturer's own warranty, which we give you in writing, and our installation work is warranted for 90 days from the invoice date.

Question 11

Can a powerhead swap improve fuel efficiency?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

It can, compared with a worn or damaged engine: fresh compression and correctly working parts help the engine burn fuel efficiently and run smoothly. The real gain depends on how worn the old engine was.

Question 12

Do you also install gaskets and seals during a powerhead swap?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

Yes. We fit new gaskets and seals wherever parts are transferred to the new powerhead, starting with the base gasket, and any worn components we find are quoted in writing before we replace them.

Question 13

Can you service both inboard and outboard engines with a powerhead swap?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

A powerhead swap is an outboard job. For an inboard or sterndrive engine the equivalent is a remanufactured long block or a full engine replacement, which we quote separately after an inspection.

Question 14

Is post-installation testing included with a powerhead swap?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

Yes, after installation we perform full engine testing, including compression, idle, and load tests, to verify performance and ensure your engine runs smoothly on the water.

Question 15

How do you clean a heat exchanger or aftercooler?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

We remove the cooler, take off the end caps, soak the core in a descaling solution to dissolve scale and salt, and rod and brush the tubes we can reach. Then we flush and neutralize it, reassemble it with new seals and pressure-test it to the maker's specification before it goes back on.

Question 16

How often should I clean my heat exchanger or aftercooler?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

In saltwater we suggest a yearly check of the coolers (end caps, zinc anodes, tube ends) and a full cleaning and pressure test about every 3 to 5 years or 1,000 hours, or sooner if the engine starts running hot. Where your engine maker's schedule is stricter, follow it.

Question 17

Can cleaning damage an old cooler?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

Not a sound one. Descaling removes scale without scraping, but on an old core the scale sometimes hides thin or pitted tubes, and cleaning can expose a leak that was already there. That is why every cooler is pressure-tested after cleaning, and we tell you if a core needs replacing.

Question 18

Can cleaning the coolers lower my engine's temperature?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

Often, yes. Removing scale and deposits restores water flow and heat transfer, so an engine that ran hot because of scaled coolers runs cooler again.

Question 19

Is this service suitable for both inboard and outboard engines?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

This service is for engines with closed (freshwater) cooling and charge-air coolers: diesel and gas inboards, sterndrives with closed cooling and generators, including their oil and gear coolers. Most outboards are cooled directly by raw water and have no heat exchanger or aftercooler, so they need a flush instead.

Question 20

How long does the cooler service take?

Fryderyk Florczak · Accepted Answer

Usually 4-8 hours of labor, depending on how many coolers the engine has, how easy they are to reach and how much scale has built up. The descaling soak itself takes several hours, and every cooler is pressure-tested before it goes back on.

Boat Engine Rebuilds

Boat Engine Rebuilds in Long Beach and San Pedro

What the work covers

Signs your engine may need a rebuild

Questions about engine rebuilds

How do you know a rebuild is needed?

What happens after a rebuild?