
How much does a complete engine rebuild cost?
“How much does a complete engine rebuild cost?” is a question you’re going to find yourself asking if you have a major issue with your engine. And the answer is that it is, unfortunately, going to cost a lot of money. Including parts and labor, you could be looking at anywhere from $2,500 to $4,000 as far as the engine rebuild cost is concerned.
How much does it cost to rebuild a motor?
On average, for a rebuilt engine, with a warranty, the price is going to be anywhere from $500 if your current engine can be worked on to as much as $3,500 or more for a complete swap. Refer to our table below to see what it would cost to purchase a brand new “rebuilt” engine for specific makes and models.
How much does it cost to repair a car engine?
- Replace engine: $7,050
- Replace electronic power steering unit: $5,201
- Replace transmission assembly/reprogram electronic control module: $5,130
- Replace transmission and torque converter: $5,051
- Replace audio and visual control unit: $4,293
- Replace transmission case and torque converter: $4,245
How much does an engine installation cost?
Therefore, the total labor cost for installing an engine ranges from $1100 to $1800. Used cars engine prices: another cost; Installing the engine itself is not the only job done during engine installation. You will still need to add engine oil, Freon, and top off other low fluids in your vehicle. These additional fees might add up to $100 as a ...

Is it worth it to replace an engine?
New engines offer a long-term, reliable solution to your car troubles. On the other hand, used vehicles may come with their own set of engine problems. If your used vehicle replacement encounters engine issues, you could end up paying twice as much in the long run.
How much does it usually cost to fix an engine?
between $3,000 and $5,000The cost to replace a car engine is between $3,000 and $5,000 for most cars. It sounds like the quote you were given was right on the money, unfortunately. Very complex engines can cost up to $6,000 to replace. However, most four-cylinder vehicles need about $4,000 to complete an engine replacement.
Is it cheaper to repair or replace an engine?
Rebuilding to repair is usually cheaper than buying a new engine, too. You may save up to half of the cost of a new engine by rebuilding. However, sometimes rebuilding is not a good option. In cases where rebuilding will cost as much as a new engine, your mechanic should be upfront about those costs.
How many miles can an engine last?
Average engine lifespan For some time, the average lifespan of a car's engine was eight years, or 150,000 miles. New designs, better technology and improved service standards in recent years have increased this average life expectancy to about 200,000 miles, or about 10 years.
How long does it take a mechanic to replace an engine?
The time it takes to pull and replace an engine is 8-15 hours depending on the car's model, age, the skill of the mechanic, and type of engine work (replacement vs. repair). Some cars are notorious for having harder than usual engines to replace or repair. Ask your mechanic for a quote and compare options.
How do you know if your engine is blown?
1:295:56How To Tell If Your Engine Is Blown - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipItself. But if it's consistently. Happening you're seeing that blue smoke that darker smoke comingMoreItself. But if it's consistently. Happening you're seeing that blue smoke that darker smoke coming from the exhaust. Consistently. It's usually a bad sign you're gonna need an engine rebuild most.
How do I know if I need a new engine?
Here are 8 Warning Signs of an Engine Going Bad:Check Engine Light Illuminates! This light generally illuminates when detecting engine problems. ... Loss of Power! ... Decrease in Gas Mileage! ... Annoying Noises! ... Engine Stalling! ... Odd Odors! ... Engine Continues to Run after Ignition is Turned Off! ... Rough Running Engine!
Is rebuilding an engine worth it?
Frequently, rebuilt engines are superior to even new car engines because better parts are used, or design changes in parts correct problems with the original engine. Rebuilt engines are dependable, reliable and are backed by the engine manufacturers warranty program.
How much does a car cost with a broken engine?
How Much Is My Car Worth With A Blown Engine? Without a functioning engine, you can expect to get at least $3,000 less for your car as a sales price than you would get for a functioning vehicle. So if your vehicle is worth $10,000 in good condition, you should expect to get something closer to $4,000 to $7,000 for it.
What are the signs of a blown engine?
Top Signs of Engine FailureKnocking noise. A knocking noise that comes from under the hood and rises and falls in speed with engine RPMs is most likely the sign of a failing engine bearing. ... Increased exhaust. ... Check engine light. ... Decreased Performance. ... Rough Idle.
What causes a blown engine?
Piston problems are one of the most common reasons for a blown engine. In most cases, it isn't the piston itself that has failed but rather, the piston rings that have failed. These metal rings seal the piston against the cylinder wall and keep engine oil in the crankcase, out of the combustion chamber.
How much does a 4 cylinder engine cost?
New engines start at around $4,000 for a 4-cylinder, around $5,500 for a V6 and $7,000 for a V8.
What does rebuilding an engine mean?
Rebuilding an engine returns it to the manufacturer’s operating tolerances. That does not mean that the engine is completely new, but worn moving parts have been replaced along with all the seals and gaskets. You can be confident that the engine will run when installed properly and that its expected lifespan has been extended.
What happens if a new engine does not run?
If the newly installed engine does not run, you’re still on the hook for the mechanic’s time (un less the failure stems from an error by the mechanic), plus the extra billable hours required to get it running. You can minimize this risk by purchasing a rebuilt engine. Rebuilding an engine returns it to the manufacturer’s operating tolerances.
What factors affect the price of a used car engine?
The main factors affecting price of these engines include the age of the vehicle, miles on the used engine and shipping costs from where the engine is located. Freight charges will not be included in the price, but must be accounted for because the shop will pass that cost along to you. The main risk in purchasing a used engine is your investment ...
How long does it take to get a shop quote for an engine?
On a typical engine, the shop time quoted will be 10 to 12 hours. On an easy engine with a skilled mechanic, you may get quoted as little as 8 hours, while bigger jobs may require as many as 15 hours. The majority of quotes should fall in the first time frame. Determine the labor costs by multiplying the quoted number of hours by the shop rate.
Does replacing an engine include all the parts that bolt to an engine?
Furthermore, replacing an engine does not include all the parts that bolt to an engine such as the water pump, fuel pump, hoses, belts, intake and exhaust manifolds, tensioners and pulleys. On their own, labor for replacing these parts often exceeds the cost of the part—sometimes significantly.
Is it a risk to buy a used engine?
The main risk in purchasing a used engine is your investment in labor. Although a junkyard or other used-parts supplier often offers a short-duration warranty on the engine itself, it doesn’t include the labor done by the shop installing the motor. If the newly installed engine does not run, you’re still on the hook for the mechanic’s time ...
How much does it cost to rebuild an engine?
Add these together, and you’re looking at a total of between $500-$2,000 for labor. At the end of the day, the cost to rebuild an engine averages out to between $2,500 to $4,500.
What to do if engine damage requires rebuild?
If it turns out that the extent of the damage requires an engine rebuild to resolve, the exact costs depend on what needs to be done. The first thing they’ll do is remove the head to see how bad the damage is. Sometimes, they may only replace the piston rings and hone and glaze the cylinders.
What parts should be replaced in an engine rebuild?
They’ll also prep the cylinders for the fitting of new pistons. Some parts, like the timing components, main bearing, rod, and freeze plugs, should also be replaced.
Why won't my engine turn over?
Engine Consistently Doesn’t Turn Over. There are a lot of reasons your engine might not want to turn over, many of which are simple fixes. Yet, if it happens consistently (even after replacing/charging the battery), it is likely something more severe. A few possibilities include a faulty starter motor, an issue in the wiring, ...
How much does it cost to replace a starter in a VW Passat?
Take a VW Passat W8, for instance. To replace the starter on an average car, you’ll likely spend between $300-$500. However, on a Passat with the W8 engine, it’s closer to $1,000.
Is it cheaper to rebuild an engine or replace it?
An engine rebuild is a less costly alternative to an engine replacement. Here are the signs that you need your engine rebuilt and the estimated cost. Uh oh – if you’re already questioning if you need to have your engine rebuilt, then you must have experienced some pretty severe symptoms. Thankfully, an engine rebuild can be a great, ...
How much does it cost to replace an F150 engine?
For an example, the average F150 engine replacement is roughly $7,000, for a 5.4L V8. Of that cost, about $2,000 to $2,500 is labor while the rest is parts.
What happens when your engine goes?
It can happen in a bunch of different ways, though. The mechanic could let you know your engine is all sludged up when you go for an oil change , which is why it’s been knocking more and more. Rebuilding an engine is one of the most costly repairs you could ask for on a vehicle.
How to tell if your engine is idling?
Check out these common symptoms and see if yours matches up: The engine knocks and rattles when it’s idling. It’s usually a bottom-end knock caused by worn-out bearings. You’re always puffing a thick cloud of smoke from your exhaust. It’s worn-out seals that usually cause your engine to burn oil.
What happens if your timing belt breaks?
The timing belt or chain broke. Many engines have interference-style engines that are badly damaged internally when the timing belt breaks. It won’t turn over. It could be seized, but you’d better check the battery, the starter motor, and the wiring before an engine rebuild. The engine clatters when you’re accelerating.
Can you rebuild a crankshaft if it is scored?
If the crankshaft is scored, the cylinder head can’t be rebuilt , the pistons need to be replaced, or the engine block is badly damaged, the engine rebuild cost could be thousands of dollars higher yet. Sometimes, an engine rebuild just isn’t worth it, like if your engine seized. You could need to replace an engine when your car breaks down.
Is it necessary to replace an engine after a diagnosis?
But take note: it’s not an inexpensive repair. And in the end, you might find out that a complete engine replacement is necessary after you diagnose your engine.
Can you rebuild an engine if there is a hole in the side?
If there’s a hole in the side of the engine, it can’t be rebuilt. You’ll need engine block replacement, and that’s pretty much the whole thing. If the whole cost of the engine rebuild is the same as a replacement - or more - it’s a good reason to change the engine itself.
How much does it cost to replace an engine?
When asking yourself “how much should it cost in labor to replace an engine,” you will find the answer is typically between $1,200 ...
Does insurance add to the cost of a new car?
Thirdly, insurance and registration fees will add to the costs of purchasing a new car when evaluating “how much should it cost in labor to replace an engine.” Even with thousands of dollars paid to a mechanic or dealership, purchasing additional insurance will cost you more in the long term.
Factors Affecting Cost to Rebuild an Engine
The type of car you drive has a profound impact on the cost of rebuilding the engine. If you drive a car with a small four-cylinder motor, you are going to spend far less than if you have a big V8.
Rebuild vs. Replace Engine
It might seem more appealing to put a new car engine into your vehicle. After all, the engine replacement is going to have all new parts and a factory warranty. The engine will also operate just like it did when your car was new, giving it plenty of more life.
How is an Engine Rebuilt?
The rebuilt engine requires that all defective parts are removed and replaced. The process looks different on each engine, depending on what the problem is. In general, these are the steps the technician will take.
Engine Rebuild Cost
How much does it cost to rebuild an engine? The usual cost of rebuilding an engine will range from $2,500 to $4,000, including parts and labor.
Engine Rebuilding – Is It Worth It?
Only you can finally say if rebuilding the engine of your car is worth it or not. However, it will be helpful to consider what experts say about the cost of rebuilding engines.
Why Engines Need Rebuilding
There are two simple and basic reasons why car engines need rebuilding:
Signs That You Need to Rebuild the Engine
You need to know the symptoms of an engine that needs to be rebuilt. Look at the following signs before your engine collapses:
Signs That You Need to Replace the Engine
There comes the point in the life of a car engine when it has spent all of its juices, and you have to let it go. It is better to replace it than to rebuild it. So, what are the signs that your engine has already reached this stage?
Rebuilt Engines Are Not Good As New
Don’t expect too much from your rebuilt engine. Rebuilding does not restore its original performance. Somehow, it no longer has its original specs. So, it can no longer deliver the same performance that it gave you when you got it fresh from the dealer.
Conclusion: Engine Rebuild Cost
A typical engine rebuild can cost from $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the engine’s repairs. Parts and labor are usually included in the total cost. The task could be as simple as replacing the seals or the bearings.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace An engine?
Engine Replacement Labor Cost
- On a typical engine, the shop time quoted will be 10 to 12 hours. On an easy engine with a skilled mechanic, you may get quoted as little as 8 hours, while bigger jobs may require as many as 15 hours. The majority of quotes should fall in the first time frame. Determine the labor costs by multiplying the quoted number of hours by the shop rate. The shop rate can vary greatly, from a…
Other Engine Replacement Costs
- The list of other potential costs involved with engine replacement begins with shop materials. You shouldn’t get dinged for more than $100, but your new engine does need oil, coolant Freon and all the other fluids that keep it humming along. Furthermore, replacing an engine does not include all the parts that bolt to an engine such as the water pump, fuel pump, hoses, belts, intake and exha…
Making The Decision
- Considering all of the variables outlined thus far, asking the question “How much does it cost to replace an engine?” really means: “When is the investment required to replace an engine the right choice?” That answer falls in a different place for everyone. Can you afford the cash flow required to make the repair? Replacing the vehicle, although more expensive in the long run, allows you t…