Help needed from car mechanics

TonyCat

I'm looking for an ''accepted'' definition of - complete engine overhaul. It may ( we'll see what happens ! ) be needed for a court case. The thing is, I've spoken to a few garages and I understand what the term means. I also appreciate different places will interpret it differently ie include more or less work. I've asked this question of both the RAC and AA and got their responses. I'm trying to build a body of evidence that demonstrates that all sources I've approached lay down

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( whatever ) as the MINIMUM work that would be required to sell a car saying it had undergone a complete engine overhaul.

Could any mechanics suggest mechanical or engineering trade or in-house pamphlets/bibles/standards which would describe what would be covered or expected ? My problem is, most people would broadly know what you'd expect, but because it's not a precisely defined thing, I can't find a piece of paper that say's ' this is it'. If I need to go to court I need to have paperwork describing what it is, that a judge will trust and accept. I've got the AA and RAC responses which help, but the more the better. Plus I need to be able to download and print it off. Many Thanks.

goldspanners

i dont have anything to state what a complete overhaul is but by my reckoning complete should be complete.
head skimmed, new valves,springs ,cam followers, piston rings (pistons if required), conrods,cylinder liners, all bearings,big and small ends replaced,all oil seals and gaskets,water pump,timing belt and all pulleys (or chain).... probably more that i cant think of just now.

but as far as im aware complete should be complete.

anewman

I would say "complete" would mean complete as in the dictionary definition

having every necessary or normal part or component or step; "a complete meal"; "a complete wardrobe"; "a complete set of the Britannica"; "a ...
come or bring to a finish or an end; "He finished the dishes"; "She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree"; "The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours"
bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements; "A child would complete the family"
perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities; "a complete gentleman"; "consummate happiness"; "a consummate performance"
dispatch: complete or carry out; "discharge one's duties"
accomplished: highly skilled; "an accomplished pianist"; "a complete musician"
complete a pass
arrant(a): without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers; "an arrant fool"; "a complete coward"; "a consummate fool"; "a double-dyed villain"; "gross negligence"; "a perfect idiot"; "pure folly"; "what a sodding mess"; "stark staring mad"; "a thoroughgoing villain ...
having come or been brought to a conclusion; "the harvesting was complete"; "the affair is over, ended, finished"; "the abruptly terminated interview"
write all the required information onto a form; "fill out this questionnaire, please!"; "make out a form"

If I took an engine in for a "complete overhaul" I would expect them to take it out of the car and strip it down to each individual component. Clean the lot and all the oil ways, renew all studs and nuts, and new oil seals and gaskets etc - and also renew any worn or damaged parts, like oil pump pick-up strainer, any sprockets, or cam chains. I would also expect this to take an extremely long time to complete, and therefore cost in the thousands. I'd also like to see the engine mounts renewed. And have everything like new.

I would say in most cases for most cars, a complete overhaul is not cost effective and it's often cheaper to get a good scrap engine and swap them out, or to scrap the car. It is generally the sort of thing an enthusiast would get done on a classic car that's worth a lot of money.

At the lesser end of the scale, I would guess "completely overhauled" may be considered an acceptable description if for example someone had a snapped cam belt, and this required new valves and cylinder head skimming. As it is complete in that all faults that prevented it running were addressed.

May I ask what car claimed to have a complete engine overhaul and whether it was purchased from a dealer or private seller and also how much was paid? Furthermore, what problems are causing this interest in whether the engine was "completely" overhaulled?