When is the right time to replace an engine? One school of thought is the reactive method, which is to replace it at the time of engine failure. "Typically, we do [engine] replacements when the engine fails," said Duane Walker, plant manager for Eddins-Watcher Co., a petroleum distributor based in Odessa, TX. The company performs eight to nine engine replacements in a typical year for its fleet of approximately 200 vehicles. The other method is planned replacement at a specific mileage, regardless of whether the engine has experienced a failure or major breakdown. The proactive method offers other savings in engine-related maintenance costs, since the related parts receive less ancillary wear. "We found that if you are proactive in replacing engines, you won't spend more in the long run, although your initial expense may be more," said Bob Haddox, director of transportation for Tulsa Public Schools, which routinely replaces engines to extend vehic...
Any vehicle that is otherwise in sound overall mechanical condition and is planned to be in service for several more years is a good candidate for engine replacement. Engine replacement offers savings in taxes, license fees, and insurance costs Replacements can be done at a set interval or at the time of engine failure. Remanufactured engines should last as long as the original engine, effectively doubling the service life of the vehicle. Vehicle replacement cost is among the biggest expenses facing managers of all types of fleets. However, a viable alternative to buying a new vehicle, in some cases, is engine replacement, which can save thousands of dollars per vehicle. Depending on the size of your fleet, that could amount to enormous annual savings. In addition, an engine replacement offers savings in taxes, license fees, and insurance expenses that would otherwise be incurred in buying a new vehicle. Also, rather than the four- to seven-year depreciation cycle ...