How terrible is the reliability of Japanese car engines? Once disassembled, will they be completely "reimbursed"?
Japanese cars are known for their reliability, not only in the durable body structure, but also in the performance of the classic engine. When it comes to the engines of Japanese cars, countless owners will give a thumbs up, praising them for their abundant power, smooth operation and low maintenance rate. However, there are also some maintenance practitioners who are skeptical, saying that once a Japanese car engine is disassembled, it is equivalent to "finishing".
This is an exaggeration, but it's not entirely groundless. In fact, the Japanese engine pursues extreme perfection in the manufacturing process and design concept, and the matching degree between each component is very precise, and the slightest deviation may affect the performance of the entire engine. Once disassembled, the internal structure of the engine is very likely to be disturbed, and it is difficult to completely restore the original state when it is reassembled.
In this way, even the slightest deviation may reduce the engine's tightness, noise level, fuel consumption and other indicators to varying degrees. For example, if the original gasket is damaged during disassembly, it is difficult to achieve 100% sealing when reassembled, which may cause problems such as oil leakage; For example, once there is a slight misalignment of the power system, it will also affect the overall power output performance of the engine.
Industry professionals know this well. They often encounter this situation: an engine is disassembled and repaired after a failure, and although the problem is solved, the engine's noise, vibration and fuel consumption indicators are "degraded" to varying degrees. This is the reason why the precise structure of the engine is destroyed and can no longer be fully restored to the original design level.
The "bane" of this precision manufacturing process doesn't stop there. Not only are the parts of Japanese engines closely matched to each other, but most of them are exclusive and patented, and it is difficult to purchase a 100% compatible replacement if there is a problem and a new part needs to be replaced. Even assemblies, such as cylinder blocks or crankshafts, if they are not original parts, will inevitably affect the tightness and working accuracy.
So, there is only one way to go, and that is to source original spare parts from manufacturers. However, these exclusive patents are extremely expensive, and a new set of cylinder block parts can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Obviously, for most car owners, this is undoubtedly worse than the worse.
Counting the various "hidden weapons" of engine design, it seems that the argument that "once disassembled, it is equivalent to scrapping" is a little extreme, but it can also show the exquisite craftsmanship of Japanese car manufacturing from the side. Toyota, Honda and other brands have been prosperous for a long time, which stems from this uncompromising craftsmanship and strict product philosophy.
Then again, experts don't completely deny the repairability of the engine. They suggest that if the engine fails, it is best for the owner to ask the 4S shop if it can be repaired "non-disassembled" to avoid affecting the integrity of the engine's internal structure as much as possible.
For example, a small amount of oil leakage can usually be solved by simple leak detection and repair. For example, if the power drop is significant, consider overhauling the air intake system or ignition system and replacing the relevant components to restore the power output.
Also, if dismantling is unavoidable, it's best to choose an experienced repair specialist. They are often familiar with the structure and characteristics of Japanese engines, and are able to "carefully" disassemble them to minimize damage, and take some "compensatory" measures when reassembling them to ensure that performance indicators do not drop too much.
From this point of view, instead of taking the argument that "once dismantled is equivalent to scrapping" as the truth, it is better to face the facts: there is nothing wrong with giving the engine a chance to repair, and the key is to adopt appropriate repair plans and means. Blindly avoiding engine dismantling may bring greater risks and losses.
Some people may ask, why is the engine of a Japanese car so "squeamish", and it is so easy to affect the performance when it is disassembled? This is actually related to the manufacturing concept of Japanese cars. Toyota, Honda and other brands have always adhered to the design philosophy of "the simpler the better", and they use the simplest and most delicate structure to achieve the best engine performance.
The purpose of this is to ensure the reliability and durability of the engine, while also reducing the weight of the structure and improving the fuel economy of the vehicle. However, this concept of "simplicity is beauty" also brings a lot of difficulty to maintenance. After all, the leaner the structure and the smaller the margin for error, the higher the risk of damage and imbalance.