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How to extend the life of your engine
When investing in a new engine, it’s important to make sure that it will perform efficiently for as long as possible.
Extending the life of your engine not only saves you from costly replacements and the cost of unplanned downtime, but also ensures you get the most out of your investment. And there are a number of factors to consider which can all contribute towards an engine’s longevity.
By considering aspects like maintenance, servicing, and long-term support when choosing an engine provider, you can significantly improve the lifespan of your engine and avoid the risk of unexpected breakdowns or repairs.
Getting the most from your engine’s lifecycle also goes beyond improving your bottom line; a well-maintained engine can also help to reduce waste and lower your environmental impact.
How can you maximise the lifecycle of your engine?
Don’t just choose a supplier, look for a long-term partner
Your engine provider should offer more than just a quick sale; they should also provide ongoing support throughout the entire lifecycle of your engine. A knowledgeable supplier will recommend the right engine for your specific needs and ensure you have the right service and maintenance plans in place.
Look for a partner that offers end-to-end engine support, covering everything from purchase to servicing and replacement parts. With Cat® industrial engines, you can feel confident knowing that every stage of your engine's journey is backed by expert support. Whether it’s routine maintenance or unexpected repairs, you're covered every step of the way.
Need help selecting a supplier? We’ve provided a list of tips in our article, How to Choose the Right Engine Supplier for your Equipment.
Select the right coverage for your engine and equipment
It’s equally important to select a supplier that helps protect your investment in the long-term, as well as minimising any downtime.
For instance, Caterpillar offers a range of Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) that cover parts, services, and technology, providing a hassle-free way to manage costs over the engine’s lifespan.
Additionally, with Extended Service Coverage plans, you’ll receive protection on parts, labour, and even contingent damage, offering peace of mind beyond the standard warranty.
If you’re not sure what you need, don’t worry – our dealers are always on hand to help and advise you.
Choose the right parts for long-lasting performance
When you choose the right parts for your engine, you help it maintain peak performance for longer. Make sure you’re using high quality parts when completing repairs and maintenance.
This is exactly why Caterpillar offers high-quality parts, such as fluids and filters, which have been specifically designed to extend the life of your engine. By selecting genuine Cat parts, you ensure that your engine continues to perform at its best for longer. This is because they have been built using high quality materials and precisely crafted to meet your engine’s exact specifications.
Cheaper parts might be tempting but can end up costing you more in the long-term. For example, Cat replacement filters are designed at the right filtration level to protect fuel systems but cheaper, lower quality fuel filters could end up costing you more in expensive fuel system repairs.
Parts are also readily available on our online parts store (parts.cat.com) and via your dealer. As your long-term engine partner, we can help to advise on the best parts for your engine.
Regular and smarter servicing
Keeping on top of servicing is essential when it comes to keeping your engine in good health and minimising downtime.
By combining routine maintenance with high quality parts, you can ensure that your engine will run smoothly and efficiently for longer. We’d recommend partnering with technicians or service providers that can offer you these things, as well as giving valuable insights into how you can reduce repairs and maintain peak engine performance. Caterpillar’s extensive global dealer network pride themselves on offering this level of support and advice.
You could also take advantage of technology to further improve the longevity of your engine. For example, Cat Digital Services and connectivity solutions can provide insights into the performance of your engine, helping you to identify potential issues before they turn into major problems. Connectivity solutions can also allow your engine itself to become more proactive in the future and suggest its own preventative maintenance.
This smarter, more proactive approach not only keeps your engine running efficiently but also helps to protect your investment.
Choose the right repair option at the right time
Selecting the right repair option at the right moment is crucial for keeping your engine and equipment performing at their best. Timely repairs and maintenance help extend the lifespan of your engine, ensuring it runs efficiently and reliably for years.
Options like engine rebuilds or replacing your engine with a remanufactured one can be both cost-effective and sustainable. Remanufacturing takes components that have reached the end of their lifecycle and restores them to like-new condition, reducing waste while offering long-term value. This approach not only helps your bottom line but also contributes to a more sustainable, circular economy.
Consider whether to replace or overhaul
When your machine reaches the end of its lifecycle, a full engine overhaul may not always be the best solution. For large engines, it can be a good option. However, for smaller engines between 0.5 – 7.1 litres, replacing the engine can be a faster, simpler, and more cost-effective option.
Replacement engines offer a great way to minimise downtime and often prove more efficient than an extensive overhaul for smaller engines. Depending on your needs (and your supplier), you can choose from a variety of options such as new, used, or remanufactured engines - each offering reliable performance.
Making the right decision, whether it’s to overhaul or replace, should help to reduce downtime and ensure a smoother repair process.
