How Much Does it Cost to Rebuild an Engine?

This is especially the case with engine repairs because it is literally the beating heart of the whole machine. If the engine doesn’t work then you don’t have a car you have a car shaped paper weight. In this article we are looking at the costs of rebuilding your engine.

An engine rebuild is the most drastic repair of the engine you will ever undertake beyond simply replacing the whole unit. We are going to discuss why you might choose a rebuild, what it costs and how best to undertake this major repair.

How Do You Know It’s Time for an Engine Rebuild?

This is the big question: when does an engine repair graduate to an engine rebuild? There are a few indications to look out for which might tell you that just fixing one element is not going to cut it this time. A complete overhaul of the engine is required to really get to the root of the issue.

A Rattling or Knocking Sound

There are certain sounds you do not want to hear coming out of your engine and a rattling or knocking sound qualify as such noises. If you hear these kinds of noises coming from your engine then something is very much not okay under the hood.

If the sound is only faint then you may still have time to have a repair done but if you have ignored the issue and it gets louder the damage is more extensive and you may need to do a complete engine rebuild.

A Clattering Noise

If rattling and knocking are bad noises a clattering noise is definitely in the realm of terrible. If you hear a clattering noise when you press the accelerator this could indicate that the pistons are moving too much within the cylinders.

This kind of issue is referred to by mechanics as piston slap and if you are quick and get this dealt with fast you might catch it before too much damage is done. Leaving it unattended will likely lead to an engine rebuild.

It should also be noted that a clattering noise may instead indicate an issue with the timing belt or chain breaks. This is a slightly less serious issue so you should check this first before assuming there is a piston problem.

Mixing of Oil and Coolant

The system that deals with the engine oil and the system that deals with engine coolant are separate so ideally you should never find either fluid mixing with the other. Should you find oil in the coolant or coolant in your oil then you may have a head gasket problem.

Other possible causes include damaged cylinders or an engine block crack. Whichever issue it is, this is a serious problem and will require repair. Sometimes if the issue is minor you might be able to get away with a localized fix but often you are looking at an engine rebuild or replacement.

The Engine Has Seized

Your electrics are engaging but the engine will not start at all. This might indicate starter motor issues or an ignition system fault but it may also indicate you have a seized engine. Essentially the crankshaft can no longer rotate in a seized engine even if you try to manually turn it.

Depending on the level of damage that has caused the seizure of your engine you might be able to solve the problem with a rebuild or you may have no choice but to replace the engine. If engine replacement would cost more than the car's value then some people would simply scrap the car and start over.

Oil in the Cylinders

This is another case of engine fluids being where they are not supposed to be. Oil entering the combustion chambers also known as cylinders can cause you to burn oil as well as fuel. The result of this can be thick blue exhaust smoke.

If you are seeing thick white smoke you have a different fluid getting into cylinders this time it may be coolant. Whichever fluid it is we are again looking at a head gasket or cracked engine block scenario. Both can be costly repairs and if they are severe you may need a complete rebuild to fix the issue.

Why You Should Rebuild Instead of Replace the Engine

It is understandable to think that if the engine is so badly damaged maybe you should start over and just get a new engine. I understand the temptation. It's all shiny and new and has a warranty and it will be almost like you have a new car.

That’s all great and I am sure you would love that but you would perhaps not love the cost that it entails. A new engine will usually come in at the high end of an engine rebuild cost if not more. Some of the more powerful engines cost over $10,000 and may far exceed the value of your vehicle as it stands.

During an engine rebuild the mechanics completely overhaul the engine with the intent to extend the life of the unit. Inspections are made of the whole engine allowing them to refinish, repair and replace any components that need it.

Your third and final option is an engine replacement with a reconditioned engine. It is not new but has been rebuilt. It will cost more than rebuilding your own engine but less than a brand new factory unit. This will also be a quicker fix as the engine is in good working order and only needs to be hooked up.

How Much Is an Engine Rebuild?

The price of an engine rebuild is going to vary based on the type of engine but on average you are looking at between $2,00 - $4,500 for this service. Obviously this will be much less than an engine replacement but will take longer to complete

What Can Affect the Costs of a Rebuild?

When it comes to cars not all things are equal so the cost for an engine rebuild can depend on several factors which include:

The Make & Model of Car

Cars are not all cookie cutter models, they are different and the engines inside are also not the same. A small car may have a basic four-cylinder engine while a big pickup might have a huge V8. Obviously a bigger engine with more cylinders and various parts will cost more to rebuild than a small four-cylinder engine.

The parts are more expensive in big engines and the labor is more extensive. As a rule of thumb if it costs more to buy a new version of the engine it will probably cost more to rebuild that engine.

The Parts You Need

Depending on the extent of the damage you will find the costs can vary. If you only need to replace a few parts and the rest is a clean up and recondition job then it won't be too expensive. If you have a lot of issues and need more parts replaced the cost will start to add up.

Where You Get the Rebuild Done

A rural mechanic will tend to charge less for this kind of service than one in a major metropolitan area. It’s a case of supply and demand. Big city mechanics are seldom short of work so they can charge more for their time. A country mechanic will usually have lower overheads and can afford to charge less.

The state you live in may also make a difference as prices for parts and services can be lower in certain states. Shop around a little to find a few quotes. Make sure the person is reputable but also look for value for money.

How Do Mechanics Rebuild The Engine?

There are certain engine parts that you can only reach by completely taking apart the unit and this is a major reason a rebuild may be needed. In this section we will give you a basic idea of what the mechanic will be doing to your engine.

Removal and Inspection

The mechanic is going to start by completely removing your engine from the vehicle and taking it apart piece by piece. They will methodically lay out the parts and diligently inspect each one for damage. If parts can be cleaned and replaced they will do this.

What They Replace

Aside from replacing damaged parts mechanics will routinely replace parts such as oil pumps, bearings, old valve springs, chains, timing belts, seals and old rings. These parts may still be working but the intent is to rejuvenate the engine to the point of almost being new.

Crankshaft Realignment

It is likely that after the cleaning and part replacements the engine block and crankshaft will need to be realigned.

Reconnecting the Engine

Once the inspection, cleaning and repairs are completed the mechanic rebuilds the engine and puts it back into the car. Tests are run to make sure everything is working correctly before the mechanic finally hands you back your vehicle and of course their bill.

Conclusion

An engine rebuild is not at all cheap but it costs less than a whole new engine. The intent of a rebuild is to rejuvenate your engine, clean it and replace any broken components. Ideally the car should be running almost like new after this process.

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