The Automóviles Hubert Engine Journal

Use the Journal when you want to understand a test result, find out what happens after an engine is stripped down or compare two different quotes. Choose the section that answers the question you have now.

Faults and diagnostics

Faults and diagnostics looks at what compression and leak-down results can tell you, and what may need checking after an engine has overheated.

Repair and rebuilding

Repair and rebuilding explains what gets checked from dismantling to assembly, and how measurements help determine whether a cylinder head or block can be machined.

Guides and comparisons

Guides and comparisons helps you weigh repair, rebuilding and replacement. It also explains the difference between a used engine, a rebuilt one and a unit offered on exchange.

If you are dealing with a fault now, start with our symptom guide or contact the workshop.

Journal

Journal: faults and diagnostics

Learn how to read a compression or leak-down report and what a workshop may need to check after an overheating incident.

Journal: repair and rebuilding

Read what is inspected during an engine rebuild and why cylinder head, block and bore measurements guide machining decisions.

Journal: guides and comparisons

Compare repair, rebuilding and replacement, and learn what to ask about used, rebuilt and exchange engines before fitting.

Understand what is happening inside your engine

Diagram of a cylinder and instruments for compression and leak-down tests

Reading a compression and leak-down report

Learn how to read cylinder-by-cylinder compression figures, what a leak-down test adds and what to ask the garage before agreeing to further work.

Diagram of the cylinder head and cooling circuit

What to check after an engine has overheated

Find out how a garage separates the cause of overheating from the damage it may have left, and what evidence should guide the repair.

What gets checked during an engine rebuild

Follow the decisions in an engine rebuild, from stripping and measuring the parts to deciding what can be reused and checking the assembled engine.

Diagram of cylinder head and block measurements

What gets measured before machining a cylinder head or block?

Understand why flatness, surface finish and bore geometry are measured separately, and how the findings guide a machining decision.

Three engine diagrams for comparing repair options

How to compare engine repair, rebuilding and replacement

Compare three engine options on the same terms: confirmed damage, what the quote includes, what still needs checking and what is in writing.

Three engines and arrows illustrating an exchange

Used, rebuilt or exchange engine: what to ask before fitting

Understand the labels on replacement engines and what to ask about history, fitment, included parts, returning your old engine and warranty.

Illustrated crankshaft and bearing shells with close-ups of a smooth and a scored surface.

Bearing Damage: What Determines the Extent of an Engine Repair?

What bearing marks can reveal, why they do not establish the cause, and which checks help an engine specialist explain the proposed repair scope.

Conceptual cutaway of a starter and crankshaft timing wheel.

Engine Cranks but Won’t Start: Questions Before Replacing Parts

What to tell an engine specialist when your engine cranks but won’t start, and why the symptom alone cannot identify a failed part.

Engine block on an inspection bench beside blank sheets and two magnified details.

An Initial Engine Estimate and a Quote After Dismantling

How to compare an initial engine repair estimate with a quote after dismantling, understand what remains open and record decisions about additional work.