Which consumables are mandatory under Auketra's warranty?

Mandatory consumables include: engine oil (correct spec), air/oil/fuel filters, spark plugs (petrol) or glow plugs (diesel), complete timing kit (belt or chain, tensioners, idlers, water pump), fuel injector gaskets, all junction gaskets (turbo, intake/exhaust manifolds, fuel pump), oil cooler (bare engine installations), and thermostat. All must appear on the workshop invoice for the warranty to be valid.

Why must oil pressure reach 0.5 bar before the first start?

A used engine may have been in storage for weeks. Without this procedure, the lubrication circuit is dry at first start, causing immediate wear on bearings and rings. By cranking the engine with the fuel relay disconnected, oil is forced through the entire circuit before the engine actually runs. The video of this procedure is required by Auketra for any warranty claim.

How long after delivery does the engine need to be installed?

Auketra's warranty requires installation within one month of the delivery date. Beyond this period, the warranty cannot be activated. Note the delivery date and schedule the installation accordingly.

What should I do if the engine arrives damaged?

If you spot damage on delivery, do not sign the delivery note without reservations. Photograph the packaging and the engine immediately, then contact sav@auketra.com with your photos and delivery documentation. Do not dismantle the engine without prior written consent from Auketra, any unauthorised disassembly voids the warranty automatically.

Used Engine Replacement: A Practical Guide for Garages

Sourcing a used engine is rarely the problem. The problem is everything that happens around it, wrong code, skipped consumables, no pressure check before first start, and then a warranty dispute three months later. This guide covers the full process from order to first start, with the specific steps Auketra's warranty requires. Follow it, document it, and you protect both the repair and your customer relationship.

1. Before You Order: 3 Essential Checks

1.1 The Engine Code, Not Just the Displacement

A "2.0 TDI" is not an engine specification: it's a marketing label. The actual engine fitted to a 2015 Golf might be a CRBC, CRLB, CRKB, or a handful of other codes, each with different injection pressure, turbo configuration, and software mapping. Order by displacement alone and you will receive an engine that physically fits but is incompatible with the vehicle's ECU, wiring loom, and ancillaries.

Where to find the engine code:

Stamped on the block, flat machined surface near the bell housing
On a plate on the cylinder head
On the vehicle registration document (V5C / carte grise)
Via a compatible OBD reader or the manufacturer's parts database

Always cross-reference the code before ordering. →

1.2 Bare vs Complete Engine

Type	What's included	Best for	Cost
Bare engine	Block, head, internals, no ancillaries	Garages with serviceable original ancillaries	Lower upfront
Complete engine	Block + all ancillaries attached	High-mileage vehicles with worn ancillaries	Higher upfront, often cheaper over 12 months

→

1.3 Check the Euro Emission Standard

Frequently missed: A Euro 5 engine dropped into a Euro 6 vehicle will have mismatched DPF calibration and EGR mapping. The car may run, poorly, and the customer returns within weeks.

Verify the original Euro standard from the vehicle registration document and match it precisely. Use Auketra's 7-point compatibility checklist before ordering: →

2. Receiving the Engine: Delivery Checklist

Inspect the engine before signing the delivery note. Work through this checklist:

Check	What to look for
External packaging	Impact marks, crushed corners, broken strapping
Block and head	Cracks, damaged threads, impact marks
Engine code on block	Must match exactly the code on your order confirmation
Auketra markings	Special paint + unique number, locate, confirm intact, photograph it

Never remove or clean off the Auketra marking. Doing so automatically voids the warranty with no recourse. If you identify damage on delivery, our support team immediately with photos and delivery documentation.

The warranty requires installation within 1 month of delivery. Note this date and schedule accordingly.

3. Parts You Must Replace Before Installation

This is where most warranty disputes originate. A used engine carries unknown history. Fitting it with old consumables from the failed unit is not a cost saving, it's a liability.

Auketra's warranty is conditional on every item in this table being replaced with new parts:

Part	Applies to	Notes
Engine oil	All	Correct specification for the specific engine variant
Air filter	All	,
Oil filter	All	,
Fuel filter	All	,
Spark plugs	Petrol engines	,
Glow plugs	Diesel engines	,
Complete timing kit	All	Belt or chain + tensioners + idlers + water pump (if belt-driven)
Fuel injector gaskets	All	,
Junction gaskets	All	Turbocharger, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, fuel pump
Oil cooler	Bare engine only	Mandatory, see section 5.1
Thermostat	All	,

These are not suggestions. If a warranty claim is submitted and the workshop invoice does not itemise these parts, the claim will be rejected. Source quality parts, fit them properly, and include them in the customer invoice. →

4. Step-by-Step Installation

Before Lifting the Engine In

Flush the cooling system completely
Inspect all engine mounts, replace any showing cracking or deformation
Check gearbox oil for signs of contamination from the old engine
Inspect the clutch if accessible, replace if worn
Clean the engine bay fully before fitting

During Installation

Torque all bolts to manufacturer specification: no shortcuts
Connect wiring looms methodically, verified against the wiring diagram
Double-check all fluid lines and vacuum lines before closing up
Fill with the correct engine oil specification and exact volume

Do not dismantle the engine internally without prior written consent from Auketra. If there is a fault with the unit, our support team before opening anything. Unauthorised disassembly voids the warranty.

5. Critical Post-Installation Steps

5.1 Replace the Oil Cooler Before First Start

On bare engine installations, the oil cooler must be replaced before the engine is started. Old oil coolers can:

Harbour metal debris from the failed unit
Develop internal cracks that allow coolant into the oil circuit

This is a warranty requirement, it is not optional.

5.2 The 0.5 Bar Oil Pressure Procedure

This is the step most garages skip, and it is also the step that prevents the majority of post-installation failures. Before the engine is started for the first time, oil pressure must be built up to a minimum of 0.5 bar throughout the lubrication circuit.

Oil pressure gauge fitted to engine block during pre-start check

Procedure: step by step

Remove the oil pressure sensor and fit a mechanical pressure gauge in its place
Disconnect the fuel relay so the engine cannot start
Crank the engine on the starter motor: do not allow it to fire
Watch the pressure gauge, continue cranking until you see a sustained reading of at least 0.5 bar
Reinstall the pressure sensor and reconnect the fuel relay

Video proof is mandatory

A static photograph is not sufficient. The video must clearly show:

The pressure gauge reaching 0.5 bar
The date and the vehicle registration visible or spoken

Auketra will reject any warranty claim where this video is absent. Record it, label it, and store it with the job file.

5.3 Level Checks and First Start

Verify all fluid levels before starting
Confirm no vacuum lines have been left disconnected
On first start: observe for the first 30 seconds without revving
Oil pressure warning light should extinguish within 3–5 seconds
Listen for any abnormal mechanical noise
Check for leaks at all gasket faces
Run to operating temperature, then recheck all levels
Clear any fault codes and conduct a road test

6. Documents Required to Activate the 10-Month Warranty

Auketra provides a 10-month limited warranty on all engines. Four conditions must be met:

#	Required document / condition	Detail
1	Workshop invoice	From a certified workshop or qualified mechanic, must itemise the engine, all mandatory consumables, and labour
2	Video of 0.5 bar procedure	Must show gauge reaching 0.5 bar before first start, no video = no warranty claim
3	Intact Auketra markings	Special paint and unique number must remain on the engine at all times
4	No unauthorised disassembly	Engine cannot have been opened without prior written consent from Auketra

If something goes wrong post-installation, our support team immediately with your invoice, the video, and a description of the issue.

7. Total Cost Estimate for Your Customer

Giving customers a realistic total upfront prevents disputes at collection. Use this breakdown as a starting point:

Vehicle category	Examples	Labour hours	Labour cost (est.)
City car	Peugeot 208, Renault Clio	6–8 h	€600–€1,000
Saloon / hatchback	VW Golf, Ford Focus	8–12 h	€800–€1,500
SUV / 4x4	Land Rover Discovery, VW Tiguan	10–15 h	€1,000–€1,800
Van / commercial	Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit	12–18 h	€1,200–€2,200

Cost item	Typical range
Consumable parts (timing kit, gaskets, filters, plugs, oil)	€500–€1,500
Used engine (varies by make, model, technology)	€1,200–€6,000+
Total realistic range	€2,300–€9,700+

Compare engine pricing: →

8. Why Choose an Inspected Auketra Engine

The used engine market is not transparent. Engines sold with "low mileage" at auction may have had their odometers adjusted, carry internal damage from a repaired head gasket failure, or have been sitting in a dismantler's yard with internal corrosion. External inspection alone cannot reveal this.

	Standard market engine	Auketra inspected engine
Inspection	None / unknown	Documented 8-step process
Unique identifier	None	Numbered + special paint marking
Warranty	None or unenforceable	10-month limited warranty
What you can tell the customer	"Should be fine"	Documented proof of inspection and guarantee

For garages, this means you can quote the warranty to your customer as a genuine, documented feature of the repair: not a hope.

Our inspection process Standard vs inspected Choose a compatible engine Check engine condition

Written by the Auketra technical teamThis article was written by the Auketra technical team, which has supplied and tested used car engines across Europe since 2018.