Engine Repairs in Tyne and Wear

Engine repairs cover a wide range, from replacing a failed component to dealing with internal mechanical damage. The right answer depends on what failed, how far the damage has spread and what the car is worth to you.

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn we assess the engine first and talk through the choices. We work for drivers across Tyne and Wear and will say plainly when a repair makes sense and when another route is better.

Symptoms that point to an engine fault

Some engine problems are gradual, others sudden. Stop driving and seek help if you hear heavy knocking, the oil pressure light comes on, the engine is overheating or the car suddenly loses power. Carrying on can turn a repair into a wrecked engine.

Other clues:

• Knocking, tapping or rattling from inside the engine
• Blue, white or black smoke from the exhaust
• Heavy oil consumption
• Loss of power or rough running
• Metal particles in oil or contaminated oil

How the job is approached

We confirm the fault with diagnostic testing and inspection, and where necessary checks such as compression or leak-down testing, which show the condition of the cylinders. That tells us whether we are dealing with a bolt-on part or internal wear.

Repairs range from replacing ancillary parts to opening the engine. If damage is extensive, you may be better off with a rebuild or replacement engine, both covered on their own pages.

What affects the outcome and cost

Cost follows the extent of the damage, the engine design and how much has to come apart. An engine that was run without oil or while overheating may have secondary damage that only appears once it is opened.

We cannot promise a repair is possible until it has been inspected. At the estimate we explain what is certain, what is possible and what could change.

Before you commit

Tell us the history: servicing, recent warnings, and what happened when the problem started. Do not keep restarting an engine that has stopped suddenly, as that can add damage.

Ask what caused the failure, what else might be affected and how the repair compares with other options.