West Chester/Mason: 513-777-3393 — Hamilton/Fairfield: 513-895-8665

It’s a fact that your car maintenance costs tend to increase with mileage. But if you consider yourself an able weekend mechanic, you can save a lot of that money. If you’ve got the basic tools and skills, you can go beyond oil changes and tune-ups to major repairs. You may need to consider an engine hoist rental since it’s necessary to perform major vehicle repairs.

How To Use An Engine Hoist

Locate a spot at the rear of the engine where you can attach the end of a heavy-duty chain. This is usually the bolts of the exhaust manifold or anything that’s sturdy enough to support the weight.

Find a spot at the front of the engine to attach the other end of the chain. It should be just opposite the bolts to the rear so the engine stays level. This also has to be loose enough to fit onto the hook of the engine hoist. You could also use separate chains or an “X” pattern to minimize any movement.

Adjust the hoist to the weight of the engine. Excessive hoist strength is always better than too little. Center the hoist on the engine and your chains on the hoist hook. Start jacking up the engine slowly to be sure everything is disconnected. Keep jacking until the engine is clear of the vehicle.

Move the hoist to where you want the engine and lower it onto blocks for safety and support. Then disconnect the chains.

Tips For Using An Engine Hoist

  • Clear your workspace. Make sure to locate your vehicle so that there’s plenty of room to maneuver the hoist around it. Clear away any obstacles for safe footing and freedom of movement. Keep your tools and necessary equipment organized.
  • Don’t rush it. The first time you do a major engine repair usually takes the longest. Don’t try to rush it. Be sure you’ve disconnected the transmission, fuel and air lines, wiring and anything else that might be an obstruction before you start using the hoist.
  • Take pictures and make labels. Before you start pulling the engine apart, take photos or make diagrams so you can refer to them when it’s time to hook everything back up. Label the parts with a loop of masking tape and a black marker, or a white paint pen for writing directly on metal. Put all the small parts such as washers and bolts into little, plastic bags and label those as well.

Taking a part an engine

One Stop Rental has two locations in the northern Cincinnati area to provide a wide array of rental products to the DIYer. If you’ve decided to service your own vehicle, we can advise you on the best engine hoist rental or any of our other automotive products. Stop by one of our locations or give us a call to find out how we can make repairs easier.