How Much Does it Cost to Rebuild an Engine?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Rebuilding an engine is a great alternative to replacing the entire engine of the vehicle since this process is going to be cheaper than a replacement, and it will extend the life of your engine for several years.  Most car owners will rebuild their engines when there’s a loss of compression, worn out engine bearings, poorly seated piston rings, excessive oil consumption and/or excessive oil clearances.

Most of the time, rebuilding a car’s engine will be a personal choice.  In some cases, according to Art’s Automotive, it can be an easy choice.  For instance, if your car was 20 years old and had more than 350,000 miles, then it’s probably safe to say it isn’t worth it.  However, if the car is only five years old and is in great cosmetic shape, then it’s worth it.  Regardless of which choice you choose, it’s best to bring the car into a qualified mechanic to have engine inspected and see what the total projected cost may be.

The price for rebuilding an engine depends on the rate charged by the mechanic, the type of the engine that needs to be rebuilt, the ways it’s being rebuilt, its condition and geographical location.

Hyundai Elantra 2010 (HD) engine by brownpau, on Flickr
Hyundai Elantra 2010 (HD) engine” (CC BY 2.0) by brownpau

How much does it cost to rebuild a car engine?

On average, rebuilding an engine can cost anywhere from $250 to as much as $3,200.

The most inexpensive option will be a ring and valve job.  This type of rebuild is often done to car engines that have lost compression in more than one cylinder, and as long as the cylinder walls, crank and deck surface is in good condition, a mechanic may recommend this procedure.  With the engine block still in the car, the head will be removed and will be rebuilt by removing the pistons and re-ringing them.  Any parts that are deemed to be good will stay intact.

A pricier option will be an in-house rebuild, which can fix just about any problem inside the engine.  If a simple ring and valve job can’t be performed, then a mechanic may recommend this option.  With this type of repair, the engine block will be removed from the car, and each part will be rebuilt.  This will include rebuilding the head, boring the cylinders, adding new timing components, decking the block and performing any other repairs as deemed necessary.

The most expensive option will be what’s known as a rebuilt exchange.  This process, as the name states, will simply swap your engine out for an alternative used engine that’s still in good shape.

According to CarsDirect.com, the price for rebuilding an engine will depend on what kind of engine you’re rebuilding.  An older air-cooled engine could cost $300 to $400, while a six-cylinder engine rebuilt to its original specifications can cost $500 to $600.

Rebuilding a car engine overview

As mentioned above, there are three ways to “rebuild” an engine, and the main objective, regardless of which option you choose, will be to create an engine that looks and works like new.

When the engine is being rebuilt, the lower half of the engine will be removed and often sent to a machine shop if they can’t do the work in-house.  At the machine shop, the engine will then be disassembled and cleaned to properly assess the exact problem with the engine.  In most circumstances, the piston rings, fluids, engine bearings, the gaskets and seals will all be replaced, no matter what the original cause of the breakdown was.  The internal surfaces of the cylinders will also be reconditioned to make sure the new rings can form a proper seal.

Most reputable mechanics will offer a one to three-year limited parts and labor warranty, but there could be restrictions.  For example, if the engine were to overheat or ran out of oil, some may not acknowledge your warranty.  This is why it’s very important to read the fine print to know what’s covered.

 What are the extra costs?

If the mechanic were to install a brand new used engine, they often want to replace the timing belts, water pump, cam and crank seals, the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket.  If the part comes out of the engine, then the mechanic will want to replace it.  These new parts will either be charged as part of the initial quote or it may be charged separately.  Always ask your mechanic for an itemized bill to see what you’re being charged.

If you plan on doing it yourself, factor in the additional auto repair tools you need to complete the job.  This will need a degree wheel, ball peen hammer, torque wrench and the basics such as a full socket set and screwdrivers.

Tips to know

The car is more than just the engine, so if you have a rebuilt engine, it doesn’t mean your car will run like new.  You have to remember the car has its own separate steering system, transmission, tires, axles and brakes.  If your car were to have a faulty ignition wire, then the newly rebuilt engine will still cause problems.

According to Cars Direct, the most common sign a rebuild may be necessary is due to excessive oil consumption or white smoke coming from the exhaust, especially when the engine is still cold.  These signs, if noticed, will be a sign of worn out piston rings.  Another sign, which is considered extreme, can be a “knocking” noise coming from the engine block.

How can I save money?

Highly consider purchasing a rebuilt engine.  By the time you invest into a mechanic, it may be cheaper to purchase one that has already been done.  Not only will this engine be around the same price, it may also come equipped with a limited warranty from the manufacturer.

I See Cars recommends buying a new engine if your quote is higher than $2,000 for a four to six-cylinder engine or more than 3,500 for a V8 or V10.


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Average Reported Cost: $2146

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  1. Johnny Pok (carrollton,  Texas) paid $2146 and said:

    I want to rebuild my Toyota Camry, 2002, 2.4L

    Was it worth it? Yes

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