What to do before fitting an engine

Start with a compatibility check

Before you even pick up the tools, make sure the engine code matches. Check the designation on the engine you received and compare it with the one required for your vehicle. Also check the mountings, the brackets and the position of the ancillaries: small precautions at this stage head off big problems during installation.

Oil, filters and fluids: always change them

On first start-up the engine must run on fresh, clean fluids. Always replace the engine oil and the oil filter with products of the correct specification. Change the air filter too and, on diesels, the fuel filter, so the unit starts again in optimal condition and with no residue from the previous system.

• Engine oil of the specified grade and a new oil filter.
• New air filter.
• New fuel filter on diesel engines.
• Fresh coolant of the correct type.
• Full bleeding of the system to clear air pockets.

Timing, water pump and ancillaries

The timing system is the most delicate point. If the engine is belt-driven, replace the belt, the tensioner and the idler pulleys; it is often worth changing the water pump in the same operation too, because on many engines it is driven by the belt itself. If the engine is chain-driven, check the condition of the chain, guides and tensioner carefully.

Also check the auxiliary drive belt and its tensioner pulleys. A tired component fitted to a freshly installed engine can ruin all the work done in a short time, and a timing failure after start-up can damage the unit beyond repair.

• Timing belt, tensioner and idler pulleys on belt-driven engines.
• Water pump, often together with the timing kit.
• Inspection of the chain, guides and tensioner on chain-driven engines.
• Auxiliary drive belt and tensioner pulleys.

A clean cooling and charge-air system

A freshly installed engine deserves an efficient cooling system. Check and, if necessary, have the radiator and intercooler cleaned: residue, sludge or traces of oil that have built up can cause overheating, which is among the most common causes of serious damage. Also check the hoses, clips, thermostat and fan.

On turbocharged engines, make sure the air ducts and the intercooler are clear of oil and dirt. At first start-up let the engine idle for a few moments, so the oil reaches the turbo before you rev it.

ECU, immobiliser and coding

On many modern cars the engine communicates with the ECU and with the immobiliser. Depending on the case, coding or an adaptation may be needed so that the vehicle recognises the unit and allows it to start. Check this aspect before fitting, so you avoid surprises at the worst possible moment.

If you reuse your own ECU, make sure it is compatible; if instead one comes with the engine, it may need matching to the keys and the anti-theft system. If in doubt, rely on a workshop equipped for electronic diagnostics.

The mistakes that void the warranty

The warranty covers the internal parts of the engine, but it lapses when the installation isn't carried out properly. The most common mistakes, listed below, are precisely the ones that can be avoided with a little care and method.

• Installation not carried out properly, or an engine that has been tampered with.
• Failure to replace oil, filters, fluids and the timing kit at fitting.
• Overheating or oil starvation after installation.
• Modifications, remaps or use in competition.
• Opening the engine without our authorisation.

Read the Warranty page before you begin

Before fitting, spend a few minutes on the Warranty page of the site: it sets out clearly what is covered, what is not, and how to keep the cover valid. Knowing in advance which replacements are required protects you from disputes and gets you off on the right foot.

Always keep the contract and the engine reference, and if you notice anything out of the ordinary after start-up, contact us before taking action: often a prompt check is enough to put things right without jeopardising the cover.