Changing an engine is a major repair job that requires a significant investment in labor hours. The total time needed can vary considerably depending on the year, make and model of the vehicle, whether it’s a gas or diesel engine, and the specific repair facility doing the work. In general, though, changing an engine takes professional mechanics between 20-40 hours in total labor time.
Page Contents
- 1 Factors Affecting Labor Time
- 2 Labor Hours by Vehicle
- 3 Factors That Increase Labor Hours
- 4 Cost Comparison by Facility Type
- 5 Steps to Replace an Engine
- 5.1 1. Disconnect Battery:
- 5.2 2. Drain All Fluids:
- 5.3 3. Disconnect Fuel System:
- 5.4 4. Remove Accessories:
- 5.5 5. Detach Exhaust and Intake Systems:
- 5.6 6. Unbolt Motor Mounts:
- 5.7 7. Disconnect Cables and Linkages:
- 5.8 8. Extract Old Engine:
- 5.9 9. Install New Engine:
- 5.10 10. Reconnect Components:
- 5.11 11. Refill Fluids:
- 5.12 12. Reconnect Battery and Test:
- 6 Conclusion
Factors Affecting Labor Time
Several key factors influence how many hours of labor it takes to swap an engine:
Vehicle Type
The make and model of the vehicle determines how accessible the engine is to work on. Engine compartments in some vehicles are very cramped and require much more disassembly to access and remove the engine. Trucks and SUVs tend to have more open engine bays that make the job easier.
Engine Type
Diesel engines take longer to change than gas engines. Diesel engines are often larger, heavier and more complicated. The fuel and exhaust systems on diesels also take more time to disconnect and re-connect during the engine removal and installation.
Repair Facility
Professional auto repair shops have varying labor rates and expertise levels. Dealership shops tend to charge the highest hourly rates but also have the most experience with a particular vehicle make. Independent shops often have lower rates but less specialized expertise. The skill and efficiency of the mechanics will influence total labor time.
Repair Scope
If the engine replacement also includes repair or replacement of other components like the transmission, radiator, starters, etc., that adds more hours of labor. The basic just swapping of the engine itself generally ranges from 20-30 hours. Additional repairs can add 5-15 hours or more.
Labor Hours by Vehicle
The make, model and year of the vehicle requiring an engine replacement is one of the biggest variables in determining the total labor hours. Here are some rough estimates for common vehicle types:
Compact Cars
For compact 4-cylinder cars like the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze, the average labor time for an engine replacement is between 25-35 hours. Smaller engines in easy to access engine bays make these replacements fairly straight-forward.
Midsize Sedans
For midsize models like the Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu, labor times increase slightly to 28-38 hours on average. The larger V6 engines found in many midsize sedans add more weight and complexity.
Full-Size Trucks
Swapping engines in full-size pickups like the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado and Dodge Ram takes the longest – generally 32-42 hours. These large V8 engines require more time to remove and install, along with added time to disconnect components like drive shafts and exhaust systems.
SUVs and Crossovers
For popular SUVs like the Ford Explorer, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, mechanics often spend 30-40 hours for an engine replacement job. The confined engine compartments increase the complexity.
| Vehicle Type | Average Labor Hours |
|---|---|
| Compact Car | 25-35 |
| Midsize Sedan | 28-38 |
| Full-Size Truck | 32-42 |
| SUV/Crossover | 30-40 |
Factors That Increase Labor Hours
While the averages above provide a general guideline, several circumstances can significantly inflate the hours of labor needed for an engine replacement:
Engine Seizure
If the original engine seized or suffered internal damage, extracting it will take much longer. Using special tools to break the engine free and carefully hoisting it out without further vehicle damage both add labor time.
Rusted Engine Bolts
Heavily rusted engine fasteners that are difficult to remove also drive up the replacement hours. Penetrating oils and extra time needed to carefully extract the corroded bolts delays the project.
Other Repairs Needed
If the engine failure caused secondary damage to surrounding components like the radiator, transmission, exhaust system, etc., repairing those items adds extra time. The labor to swap the engine itself may be 30 hours, but 5-10 more hours are often needed for related repairs.
Modification for Different Engine
Putting in a different engine type or size than the original requires fabrication work to mount the new engine and connect it to existing components. Adapting motor mount locations, drive shafts, fuel systems and wiring harnesses are very time consuming.
Use of Used/Rebuilt Engine
Installing a used or rebuilt engine usually takes longer than a brand new crate engine. Extra time is needed to thoroughly inspect a used engine, replace worn parts, resolve any issues, and properly mate it to the vehicle.
Cost Comparison by Facility Type
Based on average hourly labor rates, here’s how the cost to change an engine can vary between types of repair facilities:
| Facility Type | Average Hourly Rate | Total Cost (30 hours labor) |
|---|---|---|
| Dealership | $120 | $3,600 |
| Independent Shop | $85 | $2,550 |
| Mobile Mechanic | $70 | $2,100 |
These totals reflect just labor – parts and supplies would be additional expenses. As the table illustrates, independent shops offer lower hourly rates than dealerships, potentially saving hundreds of dollars in labor for big jobs like engine swaps. However, dealers may have more expertise with a particular model.
Steps to Replace an Engine
While the specific process can vary between vehicle makes and models, these are the primary steps to remove and replace an engine:
1. Disconnect Battery:
Grounding out live power avoids electrical shorts and shock hazards. Battery removal may be required on some vehicles.
2. Drain All Fluids:
Oil, coolant, transmission fluid, brake fluid reservoirs need emptied prior to engine removal.
3. Disconnect Fuel System:
Fuel lines, pumps and filters need detached from the engine. The fuel tank may need dropped.
4. Remove Accessories:
Items like the radiator, A/C compressor, alternator and starter need taken off to allow engine access.
5. Detach Exhaust and Intake Systems:
The exhaust manifold, catalytic converter, emissions components and intake manifold must be removed.
6. Unbolt Motor Mounts:
Removing the fasteners securing the engine to the frame allows the engine to be lifted out.
7. Disconnect Cables and Linkages:
Wiring harnesses, control cables and mechanical linkages must be detached prior to engine removal.
8. Extract Old Engine:
Carefully hoisting the freed engine from the engine bay without damaging other components.
9. Install New Engine:
Maneuver the new engine back into position and secure with motor mounts.
10. Reconnect Components:
Attach all accessories, manifolds, systems and connectors removed earlier.
11. Refill Fluids:
Refill the new engine with fresh oil, coolant, transmission fluid and other vital liquids.
12. Reconnect Battery and Test:
Reconnect the battery, start the engine and test for leaks or issues with fitment.
Conclusion
The extensive amount of labor required to properly replace an engine makes it one of the costlier repairs on any vehicle. While individual circumstances vary, technicians typically spend 20-40 hours swapping an engine depending on the vehicle and condition. Vehicles with smaller engines in easier to access compartments fall on the lower end of the range, while bigger engines in cramped bays take longer. Additional repairs or complications can add hours of labor time as well. Understanding the key factors that affect the job hours and getting quotes from different repair facilities is important to control the costs for such a major automotive repair project. Proper planning helps avoid unexpected delays or budget overages.