Is it cheaper to rebuild an engine or replace it? – Expert advice
Engine replacement is a tough topic of discussion for most of us because it means that there’s something wrong with the engine. That directly points at expenses and dangers! If you ignore a faulty engine, it will spell trouble and lead to serious consequences. This is why you must understand that engine failure is a grave problem and tackle it accordingly.
What causes the engine to fail?
We have always believed that prevention is better than cure. And, what better way to prevent a problem than by understanding how to protect your engine? To do this, you should know why engines usually fail. Here are the most common reasons:
- Broken thermostat
- Low oil levels
- Damaged oil pump
- Old engine oil
- Clogged heat core
- Broken pump
- Too much oil
- Leaking coolant
- Overheating
Proper maintenance and attention can help avoid most of these scenarios. However, sometimes, things are not in our hands. They can go wrong, and the engine can fail. What do you do in such cases?
You have two choices – rebuilding the engine and replacing it.
We shall discover which of these is a viable option and why.
Replacing an engine
If you have never worked with vehicles before or if you don’t engage in many DIY mechanic tasks, replacing the engine or having the mechanic do it is a fine idea. But this is expensive. You will need factory-quality parts, which cost a lot. If you only have to replace one part such as the rings or radiator or bearings, you may not incur as much, but we are talking about replacing the entire engine. That’s expensive.
Rebuilding an engine
Rebuilding your engine can help you save money. You can find refurbished parts or parts from old cars to rebuild it. The downside here is that it is time consuming and requires some amount of knowledge of the vehicle. Otherwise, you will shoot in the dark and may end up making mistakes.
So, is it cheaper to rebuild an engine or replace it? Rebuilding an engine is pocket-friendly for sure.
How much does it cost to rebuild an engine
Unfortunately, we cannot give you a template answer here. The total cost completely depends on the parts you need and where you buy them from. Also, whether or not you need a professional for this will determine the grand total. On an average, we would say that you will incur at least $2500. The costs could go up to $4000 as well.
One question you should ask yourself here is whether you can afford the time. It will definitely take a lot of time to rebuild an engine even if it is the most basic process. Do you have that much time? Do you have the patience? Trust us, that’s a huge factor as well. Consider all these points and go for it if you are confident. Otherwise, as always, we advise expert help.
Advantages of rebuilding an engine
Is price the only advantage? It is a significant one but it isn’t the only one for sure. Rebuilding an engine comes with multiple other benefits such as the follows:
- It has extended life because you have used good quality parts
- It ensures compatibility with the electrical system and ECU.
- You are recycling by using the available parts and that’s a step towards a greener environment
Unless the entire engine needs to be scraped, it is a good idea to rebuild it. But you must keep the above in mind. They are very important points that will help you save money and hassle. If you aren’t sure about doing it yourself, have the professional take care of it. But, unless a replacement is absolutely necessary, rebuilding is the way to go.
We hope we cleared your doubts on this topic. If you have any other questions, please let us know through comments.
