How Much Does it Cost to Repair an Engine?
What you're actually paying for when you get an engine repaired is going to depend on a few factors, but in general it will consist of labor and replacement parts. We’ll give you the full breakdown below but Cash for Cars would love to give you a value of your vehicle without having to do any of the repairs. No calls. No haggling. No juggling multiple buyers. Sell your car completely online—from getting your offer to finalizing the sale.
A replacement-engine bill typically consists of:
| Cost | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Replacement engine | $1,500–$8,000+ |
| Labor | $1,500–$4,000+ |
| Fluids, filters, gaskets, seals | $200–$600 |
| Belts, hoses, spark plugs, etc. | $200–$1,000+ |
| Additional repairs discovered during installation | $0–$2,000+ |
| Typical total | $4,000–$10,000+ |
The engine itself isn't necessarily the biggest variable. The type of replacement engine and labor required for your particular vehicle can dramatically change the final price.
1. Used engine — usually the cheapest
A shop may install an engine pulled from a salvage vehicle.
Typical total: $3,000–$6,000
Advantages:
Lower upfront cost
Usually the quickest way to get an older car back on the road
Good option when the vehicle isn't worth spending $8,000+ on
Downside:
You don't know the complete history of the engine.
Mileage and condition can vary.
Warranty is generally shorter than with a remanufactured engine.
A reputable shop should be able to tell you the donor vehicle's mileage and provide whatever warranty comes with the engine.
2. Remanufactured engine
A remanufactured engine has been disassembled, inspected, machined/rebuilt as necessary, and reassembled to specified standards.
Typical total: $4,500–$8,000
This can be substantially more expensive than a used engine, but you generally get a better-defined product and warranty.
3. New or crate engine
A new replacement engine from the manufacturer or an aftermarket supplier can get expensive quickly.
Typical total: $6,000–$12,000+
For some performance, luxury, European, or specialty vehicles, it can go considerably higher.
Why labor can be so expensive
Replacing an engine isn't simply “take the old one out and put the new one in.”
The mechanic may need to:
- Disconnect the battery and electrical systems.
- Drain coolant, oil, and other fluids.
- Disconnect fuel, exhaust, cooling, and electrical connections.
- Remove accessories and components around the engine.
- Disconnect the transmission.
- Support and remove the old engine.
- Transfer compatible components to the replacement engine.
- Install the replacement.
- Reconnect everything.
- Fill fluids and bleed cooling systems.
- Program/relearn certain electronic systems.
- Start, test, and diagnose the vehicle.
Depending on the vehicle, this can require 10–20+ labor hours and labor rates vary considerably between shops.
The Hidden Costs of Repairing an Engine
This is where an estimate can go from $5,000 to $8,000 surprisingly quickly.
If you're replacing an engine with significant mileage, the mechanic may recommend replacing things that are difficult to access once the engine is out:
- Water pump
- Thermostat
- Timing belt/chain components
- Engine mounts
- Spark plugs
- Ignition coils
- Serpentine belt
- Tensioners
- Hoses
- Rear main seal
- Oil seals
- Gaskets
- Fluids and filters
Some of these aren't necessarily required for the engine replacement. They're recommended because the additional labor is relatively small while the engine is already out.
Before The Work Starts
Get an itemized written estimate that answers:
- What exactly failed?
- Why does the shop believe the entire engine needs replacement?
- Is the replacement engine new, used, or remanufactured?
- How many miles are on it?
- What warranty does it have?
- How many labor hours are included?
- Does the price include fluids and filters?
- What components are being transferred from the old engine?
- What additional parts are being replaced?
- What happens if the replacement engine doesn't run correctly?
- Is there any additional diagnostic/programming fee?
Just Want To Sell Your Vehicle?
If you’re dealing with a vehicle that is having engine issues and not wanting to go through the repair process for whatever reason, Cash for Cars is a great option to look at as your first stop. No calls. No haggling. No dealing with multiple buyers. Sell your car entirely online, from getting your offer to completing the sale.
