You're trying to learn engine repair, and you've got a set of very different tools in front of you: a huge classroom/shop textbook, a four-DVD rebuild course, and two hardcover editions of the same Tim Gilles service text. Prices span from a budget video course to a large reference textbook, so the decision isn't just about what you can afford-it's about how you take in information, how deep you need to go, and whether you want something to read on the bench or on a screen.
Quick Take
If you want a single reference that covers engine performance with enough depth to support classroom and shop work, the Pickerill 7th edition is the pick. If you want to watch someone disassemble, inspect, and reassemble an engine, the DVD course gives you four two-hour sessions at the low end of the price range. If you want a hardcover with an extra student resource CD, the Tim Gilles third edition is the mid-priced option. The used Gilles hardcover is a valid option only if you specifically want that ISBN and condition, since it's priced above the new third edition.
Price at a Glance
| Resource | Price | Value Bar |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Engine Performance (7th Edition) by Ken Pickerill | $70.00 | |
| AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILD (DVD) COURSE | $26.95 | |
| Automotive Service Third Edition by Tim Gilles | $42.49 | |
| Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (Very Good) | $48.21 |
Decision Matrix
| If your priority is... | Pick... | Why... |
|---|---|---|
| A deep reference for both class and shop | Automotive Engine Performance (7th Edition) | 1,184 pages of revised engine performance material in Like New condition |
| Watching a full rebuild from start to finish | AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILD (DVD) COURSE | Step-by-step video showing disassembly, machine shop work, and reassembly |
| A mid-priced hardcover from Tim Gilles | Automotive Service Third Edition | Revised 2008 edition with a practical layout |
| A used hardcover of the Gilles service text | Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (Very Good) | Very Good condition with all pages legible |
Product Notes
Automotive Engine Performance (7th Edition) by Ken Pickerill
At $70.00, this is the highest-priced resource here, but it's also the only one that combines a classroom-oriented structure with shop-focused content. It's a 2017 Delmar Cengage Mindtap Course List text, running 1,184 pages in trade paperback, and the listing condition is Like New. If you need a comprehensive engine performance reference rather than a quick overview, this title gives you the breadth of coverage you'd expect from a full course. The limitation is that it's a textbook, not a video walkthrough, so if you learn best by seeing parts move, you'll need to pair it with something else. It's also heavy and bulky, so it's better on a desk or bench than at the side of a car.
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINE REBUILD (DVD) COURSE
For $26.95, this is the lowest-priced option and the only video course in the group. The set includes four DVDs, each two hours long, that take you through how an engine works, what goes wrong with components, how to disassemble and organize the parts, how to deal with the machine shop, and how to reassemble and lubricate everything using a master rebuild kit. If you're a visual learner, this is the most direct way to get that step-by-step understanding. The biggest limitation is scope: it's specifically about engine rebuilding, so you won't get the general maintenance, inspection, and repair topics covered by the textbooks. You also need a working DVD player, and the format is physical media, not an online reference.
Automotive Service Third Edition by Tim Gilles
This $42.49 hardcover is a revised third edition published in 2008, and it includes a student resource CD, which is a nice extra for practice material. It's written for adult and further education, and the topics cover inspection, maintenance, and repair, making it a good fit for a home hobbyist or a student who wants a structured overview. The price sits between the DVD and the $70 textbook, so it's a reasonable middle ground if you want a hardcover that stays open on the bench. The limitation is that the 2008 publication date means it won't cover newer vehicle systems or technologies, and the CD is from the same era, so you may need to supplement it with more recent information.
Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance, Repair (Very Good)
This hardcover edition of the Tim Gilles Automotive Service title is priced at $48.21 and listed as Very Good, meaning it's seen limited use, with all pages legible but potentially some markings or highlighting. If you're looking for that particular ISBN and you're comfortable with a used copy, this satisfies the same title need as the third edition but in a different condition. The practical limitation is the price: it's $5.72 more than the new third edition at $42.49. Unless you specifically want this exact copy or the ISBN, that extra cost is hard to justify, especially since you're getting a used book rather than a new one. It's a fallback, not a first choice.
Final Recommendation by Use Case
Choose the Automotive Engine Performance (7th Edition) if you want one substantial reference that can support both coursework and shop questions. Choose the DVD rebuild course if you learn by watching and want the lowest-priced pick. Choose the Tim Gilles third edition hardcover if you want a mid-priced hardcover with a resource CD. And choose the used Very Good hardcover only when you specifically want that exact used copy; otherwise the new third edition is both cheaper and new.
