The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
-----

Electroplating for engine block repair

Could repair type electroplating be the solution to repairing welsh plugs in awkward to reach parts of engine blocks such as between engine block and gearbox. This would avoid the need to remove an entire gearbox just to do a five minute job. Issues would be Striping in a confined space. Covering ferrous metal with enough non-rusting metal to prevent future water leakage, fitting the electroplating equipment into a confined space.

Rodney John Kennedy
hobbyist - Caboolture, Queensland, Australia
2004

---

As I understand it, you want to carry out an in-situ repair to a damaged to an engine block/gearbox flange area. If correct, I hate to say, but I think you will find it impossible to carry out. You must ensure all surfaces to be plated are spotlessly clean and contamination-free. This entails extensive cleaning. Once clean, you have to get the plating electrolyte into the area you want coated, as well as having a suitable anode. Then, once you have carried out the repair, you will have to remove all solutions from the area otherwise it may ruin your engine! All in all, I think it will be much easier if you take the engine out and get it repaired by a professional electroplater.

Trevor Crichton
R&D practical scientist
Chesham, Bucks, UK
2004