How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Engine in 2023?
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Looking for tangible information on the cost to replace a car engine this year? If yes, you’ll find engine replacement costs for different vehicles and engines below. We’ll also look at whether it’s cheaper to replace your engine or purchase a new car, including today’s hybrid cars. Plus, we’ll answer whether your car’s warranty will pay the engine replacement cost. If that sounds like the actionable info you’re searching for today, read on.
Is it Worth Replacing Your Car’s Engine?
Depending on your vehicle’s age and condition, replacing the engine might be the better and cheaper option than purchasing a new vehicle. However, there are some situations in which purchasing a new car will probably be a better choice. Before you decide, here are several factors you should consider:
- Manufacturer’s Warranty: If your car’s engine is still under warranty, replacing it is a no-brainer as it won’t cost you extra money.
- Affordability: Replacing the engine will be significantly cheaper than buying a new car. (A used car? Maybe not, but used cars come with their own set of problems.)
- Extended Life: If your car is otherwise in good condition, a new engine can extend its working life by several years.
- Collectability: Does your car have collectible (or sentimental) value? If yes, replacing the engine makes more sense.
- Mechanical Condition: A car running perfectly except for the engine is a good candidate for an engine replacement. However, if your car has several other mechanical problems, it might be worth moving on.
- Overall Condition: If your car is in great shape, with a ding-free exterior and clean, minimally worn interior, replacing the engine is a good choice. If it’s older, with significant wear and mileage, purchasing a new car might be a better choice.
How Much Does Engine Replacement Cost?
The range of prices for replacing a car engine isn’t expansive. However, there is some difference between the costs of replacing different types of car engines, including gasoline, hybrid and electric. Let’s take a look at all three so that you can compare:
Traditional Gasoline Engine
A traditional gasoline engine will cost between $4,000 and $6,000 on average to replace with a new engine. If you choose to replace it with a used engine, your costs drop to $3,000 to $4,000. A new V8 engine will set you back about $7000.
Hybrid Car Engine
Hybrid cars feature both an electric motor and a conventional gasoline engine. The engines are typically much smaller, reducing the cost of replacement. Since hybrid engines actually consist of both a motor and an engine, it’s hard to figure exactly what the cost would be, as it depends on whether it was the electric motor or gasoline engine that was broken.
The cost of gasoline engines is partly based on the size of the engine. Assuming the cost of a regular size engine, replacing the gasoline engine would likely cost between $2,000 and $3,000. Replacing the electric motor will be a bit more expensive and can cost between $6,000 and $9,000.
Electric Engine
The term “electric engine” is actually a misnomer as it’s a motor, not an engine. Electric motors last significantly longer than gasoline engines as they have only two major components. For that reason, electric motors rarely fail or need to be replaced, and they usually outlast the car itself. In the event that the electric engine does tear up and the car is still under warranty, the warranty will usually cover the cost of replacing it.
What are some Additional Engine Replacement Costs to Anticipate?
One of the biggest expenses when replacing a car’s engine, besides the engine itself, is the cost of labor. Labor costs are determined by two factors, the time it takes to perform the engine replacement and the cost per hour charged by the mechanics.
The time it takes to remove your car’s old engine and replace it with a new one is between 10 and 15 hours, depending on the car, the engine, and several other factors. The cost of labor depends on where you live, the quality of the repair shop, etc. Typically, the range of hourly costs is between $90 and $150 per hour.
Based on those costs and the time it usually takes to replace the engine, the typical labor cost to replace your car’s engine will run between $900 and $2250..) However, keep in mind that high-end automobiles that demand highly-trained technicians and mechanics could cost substantially more. Our advice: check with your car dealer before you make any decisions.
Do Auto Manufacturer’s Warranties Cover Engine Replacement?
The answer to this question depends on several factors. First, if your car is still under the initial bumper-to-bumper warranty, the manufacturer will have no choice but to replace it (barring any extreme misuse issues on your part).
You might also have a 2nd extended warranty purchased when, or after, you bought your car. Depending on what this warranty covers, it’s possible that it would cover an engine replacement. That being said, it’s not a guarantee and depends on the extended warranty and its terms.
Some car owners also purchase a 3rd extended warranty. However, most of these types of warranties only cover specific parts. That might include, for example, the ignition, gearbox, or clutch, but typically not the entire engine.
In other words, the manufacturer’s warranty might cover the cost of replacing your car’s engine, and it might not. Before proceeding, it’s a good idea to check the warranty and, if you’re unsure, check with your car dealer.
How to Ensure Your Car’s Engine Lasts as Long as Possible
As we’ve seen, replacing a car’s engine is no small cost. That makes it imperative you do everything to ensure yours lasts as long as possible. Below are a few suggestions, tips, and ideas to help you do just that, including:
- Maintenance: Having your engine maintained regularly is one of the best ways to ensure it stays in excellent condition. Proper engine maintenance includes:
- Replacing the air filter when required
- Replacing the oil and oil filter
- Maintaining the transmission fluid
- Replacing the fuel filter
- Break-In Period: Breaking in your car’s engine is a critical time when you should drive under 70 mph and keep the RPMs under 3,500.
- Warm-Up Time: Letting your car warm up for about 30 seconds and then driving slowly for the first 10 minutes is a great way to extend the engine’s life.
- Shifting: The better you learn to shift gears with a manual transmission, the longer your engine (and transmission) will last. Also, driving in the correct gear is essential.
- Starting, Stopping, and Speed: Treat your car’s engine well by starting slowly, stopping gently, and keeping your speed at or under the limit.
- Overloading and Towing: The more weight you have in your car, the more stress it places on the engine. Whenever possible, remove anything heavy that you won’t need, like equipment, tools, etc. Also, depending on the car, towing a trailer can put serious extra stress on its engine. If you do tow anything frequently, regular maintenance becomes even more vital.
Final Thoughts
As we’ve seen, the cost to replace a traditional car engine generally runs between $3000 to $6000, but it could cost more or less. Plus, you also have to consider labor costs. The choice to replace your car’s engine should be based on several factors, including the mechanical and overall condition of the car itself.
Featured Image Credit: A_stockphoto, Shutterstock
