When asking “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” most drivers are surprised to find out how much they will have to spend to keep their car running safely and at a high-performance level. Since the transmission and engine are the two most expensive vehicle parts, car owners will have to pay thousands. With the average engine replacement cost coming to between $3,000 and $7,000 on most cars, the total price may not be worth it!
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Instead of an engine replacement, many car owners look towards other solutions – like an engine rebuild or selling their car to a used junk car dealer. When thinking about your next step, you first need to know if you can salvage the one you currently have. Even if your vehicle is giving you problems, you need to determine if you should replace the engine or buy a new car.
Even if your engine is causing you issues, like high engine oil levels or hesitating while accelerating, it can oftentimes be fixed. However, sometimes the damage is too far gone, and you will be asking yourself, “how much does it cost to replace an engine?”
Although there is no clear-cut answer to these situations since every car is different, we will go over the pros and cons of engine replacement vs. fixing the one you currently have vs. selling your car.
Engine Rebuild vs. Replacement – Pros vs. Cons – How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Engine
Engine Rebuild Advantages
If you decide that your engine only has minimal damage, like with the O rings or seals, the rebuild is a safe and cost-effective option for your vehicle. Instead of finding out “how much does an engine replacement cost,” you will only have to calculate the total cost of the parts and labor for your engine rebuild.
The advantages of choosing this option involve recycling engine parts and reducing the stress and environmental harm from replacing an internal car mechanism. Furthermore, the best benefit of choosing a rebuild is the compatibility with the electrical system. Keeping the original parts increases the electrical connectivity and communication system.
In an engine rebuild, the most common parts that have to be replaced due to friction damage and wear-and-tear include the O rings, bearings, gaskets, timing belt, timing chain, valve springs, oil pump, and seals. If your engine has extensive damage, then the mechanic may also have to replace the crankshaft and pistons.
Engine Rebuild Disadvantages – How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Engine
However, you may find that when asking yourself, “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” that the damage is too extensive for an engine rebuild. If there are expensive parts damaged or malfunctioning, like the crankshaft and pistons, a rebuild may take more time and effort than just replacing the entire part.
When calculating how much an engine replacement costs, if your engine has extensive damage to the pistons and crankshaft, a rebuild may not be the best choice. The engine block may have to be bored to align correctly, meaning that the total labor time may override the money you would be saving on an engine rebuild.
In this case, you have two options – pay for the engine replacement or sell your car to a local and reputable junk car dealer like CashCarsBuyer. Once you find the answer to “how much does it cost to replace an engine” for your specific car make, model, and year, you can decide which path is best for you to take.
Engine Replacement Advantages
Firstly, it is almost always less expensive for drivers to repair a car instead of purchasing a new one. Even though engine replacement can cost owners around $5,000 on the high end, it could be worth it for a vehicle that is only slightly used and fairly new. You will be hard-pressed to find a long-lasting, durable, and high-quality vehicle for less than $5,000 when it comes to reputable cars on the market.
Secondly, although you may have a failed torque converter, it will cost you between $3,000 and $7,000 to replace this part at a dealership. Even with this price range, it will still not cost as much as buying a new car. We know that $7,000 sounds like a lot of money, but keep in mind that another used car that you buy for less than 7 grand will come with its own set of issues.
Thirdly, insurance and registration fees will add to the costs of a new car. When asking yourself, “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” registration can even sometimes cost more per month than the fees to get the new car eventually in your name. In this case, keeping the car that is already registered and insured will save you tens of thousands of dollars in the span of one year.
Fourth, buying a new or used car could eventually give you the same problems you are already experiencing with the engine – so why risk it? Sometimes spending money on a new vehicle feels like you are leaving all of your problems behind. Unfortunately, in the case of whether to replace the engine or buy a new car, purchasing a new or used vehicle will only prolong the engine and transmission concerns instead of dealing with them right away.
Lastly, you may want to keep your car for personal reasons. When asking yourself, “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” it would be worth it to spend a few thousand dollars on a new engine to keep the car you have worked so hard to pay for.
What are the signs of needing an engine replacement? – How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Engine
When figuring out “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” you need to see if the total price is even worth the hefty sum. If a rebuild is not possible for your vehicle, an engine replacement could be a better choice.
There are a few signs that you need to go forward with the replacement, helping you answer “how much does it cost to replace an engine.” Knowing the total monetary amount you will have to pay your mechanic will sway your final decision whether you should pay for a repair, rebuild, or replacement.
Structural Damage
If you see a hole inside of the engine, then there is no way you can spend money on a rebuild and expect your car to run still. In this case, you will have to find out the answer to “how much does an engine replacement cost,” since that will be the only procedure that can save your car.
Price Is The Same
Additionally, if the engine rebuild’s entire cost is the same as a replacement, this is another reason to continue with the replacement. An engine replacement will last longer and give new lifeblood to the car, while a rebuild is best for minimal damage to your vehicle.
No Kit Availability
Lastly, some older cars may not have rebuild kits available on the market to purchase. In this case, you need to find the answer to “how much does an engine replacement cost,” and start looking for local mechanics who can safely and quickly replace your engine.
How much does it cost to replace an engine?
When finding out how much an engine replacement costs, you need to take into account the make, model, and year of your car. Although it differs between models, you can still expect to spend over $3,000 for a replacement. In some cases, engine replacement’s total cost will cost the driver around $7,500 for parts and labor.
Labor Costs
Since the engine is such a complicated and complex mechanism, drivers should expect the labor costs to cost at least $1,000 – and that’s on the low end of the price spectrum. A basic garage could charge as little as $50 an hour, while a specialized mechanic or dealership could be triple the price.
For those calculating “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” the average time for an old vehicle will be between 10-15 hours of billed time. For more modern cars, drivers should expect between 15 and 20 hours of labor for a typical replacement.
Average Engine Replacement Cost
On average, expect to pay at least $1,000 on the low end, while a high-end garage or dealership will generally cost around $4,000 on average for the replacement cost. New engines will typically run around $4,00 for a 4-cylinder engine, while you can expect to pay closer to $5,500 for a V6 engine and $7,000 for a V8 engine.
The Bottom Line – How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Engine
When asking yourself, “how much does it cost to replace an engine,” you need to take into account the root cause of the problems, whether it is worth it to replace or repair the engine, and if you should consider selling your car to a local junk car buyer like CashCarsBuyer. If you find that your car is working in good condition and just needs an engine replacement to continue driving on the road for many more years, then calculating the total engine replacement cost is your best bet.