How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Engine?


Buying a vehicle and maintaining it requires a lot of effort and finances. There are many times when something gets damaged, and you need to fix it. Fixing minor errors in the car is one thing. However, you do need a more significant investment if you want to improve your engine.

Recently, we wrote an article about the 7E8 engine error code. Of course, problems with engines can be much more severe. Your car’s engine can be damaged either after an accident or be used for longer. As a result, after a specific time, the car engine may not work as efficiently and may decrease your car’s average and mileage. This can inadvertently affect the car’s functioning in the long run, and most importantly, it indicates that it is time to invest in a new car engine soon.

What are the factors involved in replacing an engine?

When you are looking to replace an entire engine, there are some essential things to consider. These are as follows:

  1. The size of the engine
  2. The function of the engine
  3. The shop from which you acquire the new engine
  4. What will you replace the engine with? A new one or a used one?

How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Engine?

Engine replacement costs range between $2200 and $9000. Used engine costs range between $400 and $1000, while new engines cost from $4000 to $8000 ($4,000 for a 4-cylinder, $6000 for a V6, and $7,500 for a V8). The average labor cost in the US to replace the engine is $1500.

Typically, engine prices range from around four to five thousand dollars and can go up according to the size and function of the engine as the process becomes more complex. Thus, car engines will also be at a higher-end price. But usually, the engines of a domestic car will be less complicated and less expensive than those of a sports car or a larger vehicle.

How much does a new engine cost?

The new engine cost is between $4000 to $8000. The new 4-cylinder engine costs $4,000; the average new V6 engine costs $6000, while the new V8 costs $7,500. However, sports and luxury car engines will cost more because they have more significant quality engines.

An engine that has already been used can be acquired for much less. For example, you can spend almost 400 dollars on an already-used engine. For this, some factors that need to be considered include the complexity of the engine and the location from where it has been imported.

How much does a v6 engine cost?

At the end of 2021, V6 engines cost between $5500 and $7000. The average price for V6 engines (six-cylinder piston engines) is $6000 in the US.

How much is a v8 engine?

At the end of 2021, V8 engines cost between $6000 and $8000. The average price for V8 engines (eight-cylinder piston engines) is $7500 in the US.

Getting a used engine is usually not a wise decision. This is because a used engine has some issues with its parts, and it can be worn out easily. The performance may not be as excellent and efficient as it was before. Therefore, it is always better than if you can. It would help if you went to get a newly built engine.

How much is a used engine?

In 2021, a used engine cost from $500 to $1000. However, some expensive engines have high-cost parts, and expenses can range from $10,000 to $15,000 for parts only.

Another option that you can use is to go for a rebuilt engine. Of course, a rebuilt engine is not entirely new, but the good thing about it is that the company replaced the parts that were worn out or were not working correctly. In this way, you guarantee the engine has new features and will work efficiently and last in the long run. Another benefit of having a rebuilt engine is that it also comes with a warranty. However, the downside of getting a rebuilt engine is that it is slightly costlier than the standard engine. Usually, an extra 1500 dollars is added to the cost of the traditional engine if you purchase a rebuilt one.

How long does it take to replace an engine?

On average, replacing an engine takes 11 hours. However, depending on the car’s model, age, number of mechanics, mechanics’ skill, and type of engine work, it takes between 8 and 16 hours to pull and replace the engine.

What is the labor cost to replace an engine?

2021 the average labor cost to replace the engine is $2200. On average, it takes 11 hours to replace a machine, and usually, at least two mechanics pull and replace the engine. Therefore, the average labor cost per hour is $100.

The engine replacement cost depends highly on the number of hours spent on replacing the engine. A standard-sized engine with little work will be replaced in about 10-12 hours maximum. Furthermore, depending on the mechanic’s skill level, the engine can be replaced in about eight hours if the motor is of good quality and not significant. However, mechanics usually quote 15 hours as the maximum benchmark for replacing the engine. The engine replacement cost depends on the number of hours and the cost per hour. Typically, 100 dollars is applied at the expense of one hour, and so, for the maximum hours, it can go up to 1800 dollars as well.

In addition to the labor costs, there are other costs. For example, replacing an engine involves new oil, coolant, water pump, and various fluids. So, when you give your engine for replacement, you should also ask the mechanic to let you know about the costs in advance.

Now let us answer several common questions:

First, does replacing the engine affect the value of the car?

Yes, replacing the engine will increase the value of the car. However, the vehicle’s value will usually increase by 30% to 50% of the value of the new engine. For example, if your used car is worth $10000 in the market and the new engine costs $4000, the value of your vehicle will be a maximum of $12000.

Is it worth replacing the engine in an old car?

Yes, it can be worth replacing the engine in the old car if you buy a cheap new engine. You can save money by avoiding new car buying taxes, new car license fees, and new car insurance expenses. However, if replacing an engine costs more than the vehicle’s worth, it is not worth it.

Does it replace the engine reset mileage?

If you replace the engine, you will not reset mileage because the odometer records all car parts, not just the engine. Therefore, car mileage resetting is forbidden.

How much does it cost to replace a 5.3 engine?
In the US, replacing a 5.3 engine costs an average of $7200. At the end of 2021, V5 engines cost between $4000 and $6000. The average price for V5 engines is $5000 in the US, while labor costs around $2200.

Can you replace a V6 engine with a V8?
Technically, you can replace a V6 engine with a V8 engine. However, buying a new V8 car is much cheaper because engine and labor costs will be above $10000.

How much does it cost to replace a Volvo engine?

A Volvo engine replacement costs from $7000 up to $15000. Volvo is an expensive brand, and engine prices are usually 20% to 50% higher than competitors’ prices for the same engine type. In addition, labor costs are around $2500, while new V8 engines cost more than $9000.

How long does it take Hyundai to replace an engine?
It takes 12 hours on average to replace a Hyundai engine. However, depending on the car’s model, age, number of mechanics, mechanics’ skill, and type of engine work, it takes between 10 and 14 hours to pull and replace the engine.

For the end, there is the last question:

What to do after engine replacement?

  • First, replace the timing belt, gaskets, and seals.
  • Make the oil change
  • Replace hoses
  • Replace belts (to avoid squealing of the car)
  • Replace clamps
  • Replace spark plugs
  • Replace thermostats
Robert Aksamit

Robert Aksamit

Robert Aksamit is a mechanical engineer and automotive industry expert. Robert was born in Minnesota and worked in the US automotive industry for 25 years. He is highly regarded for his passion and dedication to continually improving vehicles in response to customer feedback. Robert has a keen eye for sourcing the best vehicle components and materials on the market and is always looking for ways to enhance the user experience. As a writer, Robert covers automotive-related topics. Read more on Robert Aksamit's about page. Contact Robert: robert@promtengine.com

Recent Posts