Engine terms explained: a plain English glossary

C

Changeover

All our engine listings say the engines are "sold on a change over basis".

Common rail

A type of diesel fuel system. A pump keeps fuel at high pressure in a shared rail. Each cylinder has its own injector, and the engine computer controls when and how much it injects.

Crack testing

Testing an engine part for cracks you cannot see, without harming it. Magnetic particle testing is used on iron and steel. Dye penetrant is used on aluminium. See crack testing.

Crankshaft grinding

The crankshaft turns the up and down movement of the pistons into rotation. Grinding takes a thin, even layer off its worn journals so they are round again. New undersize bearings are then fitted. See crankshaft grinding.

Crate engine

An engine supplied ready to fit. It ships on a pallet or in a crate. Our crate engines are brand new long motors. Browse our engines.

Cylinder head

The part bolted to the top of the engine block. It holds the valves, and on many engines the camshaft. See cylinder head reconditioning.

D

Deposit

For a fitting job, we take a 50% deposit. It books the job, holds the engine for your vehicle and keeps your place in the queue. An engine bought without fitting is paid in full before it ships. See payment.

E

Engine code

The short code that names an engine type, such as 1KD-FTV or D4CB. We use it with your make, model, year, series, rego and VIN to confirm an engine fits before we quote. Find your engine.

Euro 3, Euro 4 and Euro 5

Stages of exhaust emission rules that started in Europe. Australia's light vehicle rule, ADR 79, follows them. Euro 5 has applied to all new light vehicles since November 2016. Some of our listings name the stage, so check it matches your vehicle.

F

Forklift delivery

Delivery to a site that has a forklift to unload the engine. It usually costs less than a tail-lift delivery. See shipping and delivery.

H

Head gasket

The seal that sits where the cylinder head meets the block. It keeps combustion gas, coolant and oil apart.

Hone

To finish a cylinder bore with a honing tool after boring. It sets the final size and leaves a fine cross hatch pattern. The pattern holds oil and helps the piston rings seal.

L

Long bare, basic

A short engine with the cylinder head bolted on. The timing is not done. Also called "long bare, not timed".

Long bare, timed

A long bare basic engine with the timing done. The timing chain or belt kit is fitted, with the covers and valve covers on.

Long motor

Another name for a long engine: a short engine with the cylinder head fitted. Our crate engines are long motors, sold as long bare basic or long bare timed.

R

Rebore

Cutting each worn cylinder to a slightly larger size so it is round and straight again. The cylinder is then honed and fitted with oversize pistons. See engine reboring.

Reconditioned

An engine that has been rebuilt: stripped, cleaned, inspected, machined and put back together. At Reco, this usually means rebuilding your own engine. See engine reconditioning.

Rego

Short for registration. Your rego number helps us look up your vehicle and check which engine it has.

Running in

The first part of a new or rebuilt engine's life, while the parts bed in. Our warranty terms ask for Penrite running-in oil for the first 1,000 km, then the oil the maker recommends.

S

Short engine

The block with the crankshaft, pistons and conrods assembled. It has no cylinder head.

T

Tail-lift delivery

Delivery by a truck with a lifting platform at the back, for sites with no forklift. A country tail-lift delivery can cost about $300 to $400 more than a metro forklift delivery.

Teardown

Stripping an engine down, cleaning it and inspecting it. It tells us if your engine is serviceable. If it is, you get a fixed quote for the rebuild. If not, you pay a teardown fee for the labour.

Timing belt

A toothed belt that keeps the valves opening in time with the pistons. Belts wear, so they are replaced at set intervals.

Timing chain

A metal chain that does the same job as a timing belt. On our long bare timed engines, the timing chain or belt kit is already fitted.

Turbo diesel

A diesel engine with a turbocharger. Exhaust gas spins a turbine, which drives a compressor that pushes more air into the engine. If a turbo fails, it can send debris into the engine, and our warranty does not cover that damage.

V

VIN

Vehicle Identification Number. It is a unique 17 character number for each vehicle. Its characters tell us the make, model and year, which helps us confirm the right engine.

Still stuck on a word? Call us on 02 9737 0105, read our FAQs, or send an enquiry.