Though it is not very likely, there may come a time when you will wonder what to do with a car that needs a new engine. There are varying opinions on this matter because of the high cost of replacing an engine with a new one. The most common solutions made by car owners are: replacing the engine, fixing the engine, or selling the car. This article will serve as a guide for you. We know full well that you don’t want your vehicle to go to waste. Keep reading to know which approach is best for your car.
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First off, you need to be sure whether you need a new engine. You may consider having your car checked by a professional to be sure. If you haven’t asked a professional mechanic yet, the following are some of the indications that you need to change your car’s engine.
- Problematic Engine Bearings
You will easily notice if there is a problem with the bearings in your car’s engine. If your car has failed engine bearings, you will hear pounding noises from the hood. Faulty engine bearings easily damage the engine.
- Engine Block is Damaged
There may be instances when the engine block cracks. Once this happens, your engine will incur major issues such as loss of compression and fluid leaks.
- The Timing Belt Snapped
Most vehicles use timing belts. A snapped timing belt may cause other parts to get off their places or push against other components. It is possible to fix the damage made by a snapped timing belt. However, replacement is the best option in this case.
In other instances, a failed cooling system and oil leaks may also be reasons why your vehicle needs a new engine. The problems mentioned above are fixable. However, it is expected that you must replace your engine if ever you encounter such problems.
Now that you know what went wrong with your engine in the first place, you can move on to the best solution. Here are the three options mentioned at the beginning of this article.
- Replace the engine
Replacing the engine must be the most common route to take for a car that needs a new engine. If you have never before needed to replace your vehicle’s engine, you should know that engine change is one of the most costly repairs your vehicle could need. You may ask, “Should I change my car’s engine with a new one?” or “Can I replace my damaged engine with a used but rather working engine?” We will delve deeper into that in the later sections.
If your engine replacement is successful, you will enjoy using your car longer. Make sure to check the replacement engine is working properly before you install it into your vehicle. If you opt to buy a used engine, find reliable sellers to avoid issues in the future.
- Fix the engine
As you have read earlier, there are some factors why you have a car that needs a new engine. Some components may be the ones causing internal problems. You can try to fix the root cause of the problem. See if your engine can still be salvaged.
- Sell your car
If your car that needs a new engine is also new, selling it would probably sound insane. But if your vehicle is over 9 years old, you can consider selling it. As you already know, replacing a vehicle’s engine is quite expensive. Even after replacement, your aged vehicle may still present issues. Selling an old car that needs a new engine may be the most practical option for you. At Cash Cars Buyer, you could sell your car within 24 hours. They also offer to tow away your old car for free if you want.
Is it worth it to put a new engine in a car?
Most cars house a 4 cylinder engine that will cost around 4,000 to 5,000 dollars to replace. This is why you need to consider the age of your vehicle before you decide on an engine replacement. The cost also varies depending on the cylinders of the engine. If you own a car with a V6 or a V8 engine, expect the cost for a replacement to go up exponentially.
There are advantages and disadvantages in replacing your car that needs a new engine with an unused one. First of all, you will not need to worry because you won’t discover any past issues. Unlike with the unused ones, you might be surprised that it also has problems. New engines also have a warranty. You won’t have to worry about the engine for about 3 years and 100,000 miles. Looking at it this way, you can say that a new engine for your car is worth it. Unquestionably, new engines work better.
Is it worth it to put a used engine in a car that needs a new engine?
Aside from used engines, rebuilt engines are another option for car owners. Putting in a used engine has its pros and cons as well. A used engine is much cheaper compared to a new one. The starting price of used engines cost not nearly as much as the price of a new one. The cost for a used vehicle’s engine is between 1,800 and 4,000 dollars. If you are up to save some money, used engines could be the best option for you. They also have a warranty. Except for the fact that a used engine may come with problems, you can always be careful which component you choose. Make sure to find a reputable dealer. You can also ask a professional for help to make sure that the used engine works well for your car.
Rebuilt engines also have a warranty. Some may agree that they are better than used ones because they tend to run longer. Rebuilt engines also tend to have mixed components. Some come with new parts installed inside them. A few new parts in a rebuilt engine sets it apart from the used engine.
What are the signs of a bad engine?
One of the most common signs of a bad engine is loss of power. You may be well aware that the engine is the main source of power for the car to move. Without the engine that burns fuel to convert heat into power, the car will be unable to move. This means that the car will need a new engine soon once power loss starts to happen. Various warning signs indicate a bad engine and here are some of them:
- Your car is making whining noises
Problems with your car's engine can result in loud or annoying noises coming out of your car. This is due to the instability of the engine's speed when the engine is damaged. You can take those noises as a signal that your car needs a new engine. Replacing the engine of your car can help stabilize oil pressure making sure that the vehicle is running at an optimal condition.
- There is a decrease in your car's gas mileage
A well-tuned car undoubtedly has good gas mileage. The gas mileage in your car denotes the number of miles that your car can travel within a specific amount of fuel. However, it will spell trouble for your engine if your car is experiencing a fuel system problem such as a decrease in gas mileage. The fuel that is supposed to flow to the engine is instructed or lacks force, resulting in lesser gas mileage. This is a primary indicator that your car needs a new engine or an engine repair as soon as possible.
- Cranky odors are coming out of your car.
You might be smelling something odd from your car. It might be from a burned-out electrical fuse or the moisture forming mildew and molds in your cooling system. Whatever the cause of the weird smell in your car may be, it could harm your engine. The worst smell that you must look out for is the smell of an oil leak. The smell of oil from your vehicle can imply a leak inside the engine's fuel line. You must instantly replace a leaky engine. Your car needs a new engine the moment you discover a leak near the engine's exhaust.
- The engine is running with the engine turned off.
A car that is still moving even when the ignition is already turned off can be quite frightening and not to mention dangerous. Ignition causes the engine to start by producing a spark that will burn the fuel for the engine to heat up and make the car move. With that said, you need absolute control over your car's ignition. Nevertheless, when the engine encounters problems, the ignition will show signs of being compromised. If the ignition in your dashboard or steering column is unable to stop, you must have your car checked by a professional mechanic. Your car needs a new engine more or less.
- Your car is not running smoothly
The engine of your car is responsible for converting fuel into mechanical energy. With that said, the engine of your vehicle is engineered to have your car running smoothly. A rough-running engine indicates various problems regarding the internal parts of your vehicle as well as a need for a new engine. Some trouble with the internal system like vacuum leaks, clogged filters or spark plugs, and airflow sensor issues, are signs that the car you are driving needs a new engine.
Does a bad engine affect the value of the car?
Simply speaking, yes. If you are planning on selling your car, finding out that it is having engine issues can be quite disappointing. A bad engine can negatively affect the value of your car since it decreases the range of the price you can sell it to. The earlier you realize that your car needs a new engine, the better chance you have of diminishing its value.
One thing you can do to save your car from further damages is to replace the broken engine with a new one. It is also suggested to change it with an engine that has been slightly used. Doing so can revive your car and bring it back to optimal condition.
You might be wondering how much your car will be worth if it has a bad engine. Sadly, engine issues are a big deal for car owners even if they are purchasing a second-hand. You can expect the value of your car to decrease by at least 3000 to 6000 dollars. So if you want to sell a perfectly working car for around 10% to 30% less of the original price, the cost can go lower to 50%.
You would have had more profit if you got the engine replaced or fixed in the first place before selling it. You can take your car to a repair shop and get the engine replaced for as low as 90 dollars per hour. The repair can last for at least 10 hours. So, on average you must be prepared to pay 1000 dollars for the labor alone. However, this price can also vary depending on the rate of the repair shop. A high-end shop can charge you at least 110 dollars for the repair.
Rebuilding your car engine can reach up to 2500 dollars to 4000 dollars. This price already covers the cost of labor and the parts for your car that needs a new engine. Needless to say, paying for repairs is better than losing money by selling the car hastily.
All in all, getting your engine fixed or replaced is the best course to take as soon as it starts breaking down. This guide has enumerated a few symptoms that can warn you of engine issues experienced by your car. Do not wait for the problem to worsen. This way, you can keep your car working in optimal condition. Moreover, if you ever decide to sell it in the future, you would not have to worry about its value decreasing.