Pistons & Components

Oil Viscosity. Oil provides a cushion (clearance) between moving metal components. Oils vary in viscosity (thickness). Always fit the correct oil specification for your engine. Each engine has a different oil specification 0W20 has low viscosity, 20W50 has a higher viscosity providing a greater cushion. Oil deteriorates over time, so regular oil changes will protect your engine. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Engine Oil. Lubricates & cools. Regular oil changes keep your engine healthy. Carbon particles are a by-product of combustion of fuel. These particles can overwhelm the oil filter allowing dirty oil to circulate increasing the temperature of oil which can affect the efficacy of engine oil to lubrication & to cool. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Corrosion caused by antifreeze. Replace, every two years, antifreeze (summer coolant). Antifreeze reacts with and corrodes aluminium engine parts which can lead to total loss of the block or cylinder head. Good news- this corrosion can be repaired by Pistons & Components. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Coolant system. Take a few moments to flush out the coolant system.Particles resulting from corrosion can cause a build up of sludge in the radiator restricting coolant flow. This reduced coolant flow can cause engine failure. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Outlander balance shafts. A balance shaft replacement kit for the Mitsubishi Outlander can cost £2000.00 just for the parts. Pistons & Components can provide a fix which negates the need for this balance shaft without having an adverse effect on engine performance. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Shell bearing locating tabs. Tabs are NOT necessary to hold the bearing in place. Bearings, without tabs, do not rotate but are held in place by the radial crushing force. Tabs were useful for correctly locating the bearing within the housing so care must be taken when fitting tab-less shell bearings so that the bearing is correctly positoned. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Combined Heat & Power (CHP) engines are derivatives of the same engines found in modern vehicles but use methane as fuel. Efficiency of CHP is maximised, as with engines within current road, off-road vehicles or industrial plant, by a routine service regime, for example, simply changing the oil & oil filter can add hundreds of hours to the life of the engine. Further maintenance can extend engine even further. Methane engines have a greater efficiency, a cleaner burn & beneficial carbon dioxide output. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Cylinder Head. Machining the cylinder head to remove distortions caused by overheating, reduces the volume above the piston, as a result the combustion pressure increases and compression ratio changes. . Combustion pressure leads to vibrations and increased wear and tear. Increased compression ratio may cause engine knock, i.e. self-ignition of fuel. Conrod bearings and main bearings also have to endure additional pressure which can cause bearing failure. A good engineering ...machine shop, like Pistons & Components, will remove only enough material to ensure a flat surface. If, in order to save the cylinder head, a significant amount of material is removed a "Repair" or thicker head gasket can be fitted which will bring tolerances back to standard levels. Pistons & Components will advise the quantity of material removed & supply a quality (Elring or Reinz) head gasket of appropriate thickness. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice.
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PAT fluid is used in regeneration of Diesel Particulate Filters, DPF, is very expensive £39.00 per liter but it is just kerosene with a few other additives. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Fuel injectors. Many reputable fuel equipment companies fit USED solenoids in refurbished injectors, ask if a new solenoid has been fitted - new solenoids are not available. Ask for the test data equipment for each UNIQUE refurbished injector. A good company will supply this data, for each refurbished injector, automatically. Buy NEW, more expensive, but will save time, money & heartache. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Power loss- can be caused by blocked exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) device. A blocked EGR can cause a build up of carbon on other engine components and lead to excessive exhaust gas emissions, increased fuel consumption & if unchecked engine failure. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Coolant system cleaning- "Custard" or "porridge" in the coolant system. Failure to clean this "custard" material can cause the engine to overheat & fail> Steam cleaning does not work- the BEST way is to use an DISHWASHER detergent- I find the Aldi tablet is best- break the tablet into small pieces & place within the object to be cleaned- now start engine or steam clean the radiator or expansion bottle-several attempts may necessary. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Engine over heating can cause water (coolant) to mix with engine oil in the sump. This can produce a "porridge" or "custard" emulsion which can be detected on the dipstick or in the coolant expansion bottle. Unfortunately the cylinder head gasket has failed & needs to be replaced. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for more FREE advice

Timing chain noise. Do not ignore a "ticking" noise emanating from the engine, the timing chain is slack because it has stretched or the chain tensioner is not working possibly due to lack of oil change. Always fit a quality chain & tensioner as a poor quality chain or tensioner can lead to engine failure or having to the same job again. Pistons & Components only supply & fit quality chain kits. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for FREE advice

Crankcase or block damage. If a crankshaft main bearing has spun in the housing then the housing itself may be damaged. Take block to www.pistoncomponents.co.uk who will advise if housing is damaged. The solution is to line bore the housings & fit new standard size main bearings. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for FREE advice

Fuel economy & pickup tailgate. I have driven a pickup truck for many years & quite recently I thought about the drag & wind resistance created by the tail gate, so I noted the fuel consumption with the tailgate & then I removed the tailgate and noted the change in fuel consumption. Contact pedro@pistoncomponents.co.uk for the very surprising results.

Engine assembly. Always use a pre-assembly lube, this is an oil which clings to moving parts providing oil protection to metal to metal components eg bearing, camshafts, pistons etc until oil from the oil pump reaches these parts. This is especially important if the engine may sit unused for some time. Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for FREE advice

Timing chains. Unfortunately many timing chain kits are supplied with poor quality chains. Here at Pistons we have found only ONE supplier who supplies quality chains within their timing chain kits. Many other chains fail after a very short time resulting in a very expensive repair. ALWAYS fit a timing chain KIT. Kits can come with or without camshaft sprockets (gears). Contact www.pistoncomponents.co.uk for FREE advice