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Quick answer
The labor cost to replace an engine can vary greatly depending on the type of vehicle, engine, and repair shop doing the work. As a rough estimate, plan on labor costs of $800 to $1,800 for a basic 4-cylinder engine replacement or $1,000 to $3,000 for a V6 or V8 engine replacement. High-end sports cars or luxury vehicles may cost even more. Get quotes from a few reputable shops to compare pricing.
What factors affect the labor cost to replace an engine?
Several key factors impact the labor cost to replace an engine:
Vehicle Type
Smaller, more compact cars with 4-cylinder engines are generally easier and less labor-intensive to work on. Trucks, SUVs, and vehicles with 6 or 8 cylinder engines require more labor hours to access and remove the engine.
Engine Size and Complexity
A standard 4-cylinder engine may take 15-20 hours to replace, while a bigger V6 or V8 engine may take 25-35 hours in labor. More complex luxury car engines like a V12 also take significantly longer.
Repair Shop Rates
Independent mechanic shops often charge $70-$120 per hour, while dealerships could be $125-$150 per hour. Shops in high-cost urban areas also tend to charge more. Get quotes from a few shops.
Additional Repairs Needed
If other repairs are needed like replacing gaskets, seals, hoses and belts, that adds more labor hours. Any custom fabrication or upgrades also adds cost.
Location and Accessibility of Engine
The engine location affects how easily it can be accessed and removed. Rear-mounted engines in Porsches or Audis take longer versus more open engine bays.
What’s included in the labor to replace an engine?
The major tasks included in an engine replacement include:
1. Removal of old engine
This involves disconnecting all hoses, wires, cables, sensors and fasteners to completely detach the engine and transmission from the vehicle. The exhaust and drivetrain components may also need removal.
2. Prepping new engine
The new or rebuilt engine needs to have all necessary accessories, manifolds, oil pan, sensors, and hardware installed and prepared for installation.
3. Lifting out old engine
Using an engine hoist or lift, the mechanics carefully lift the old engine out and transfer it out of the vehicle. This is usually the most time-consuming part of the job.
4. Lifting new engine into bay
Again using a hoist, the new engine gets lifted and carefully guided into position in the engine bay. Aligning it properly can take some time and effort.
5. Reconnecting everything
All components like the transmission, drivetrain, wiring harnesses, hoses, sensors and hardware need reinstallation and reconnection. Proper torque specs are followed.
6. Replacing fluids, filters, and parts
New engine oil, coolant, filters and any worn belts, seals or gaskets should be installed. A test start verifies proper operation.
7. Cleanup and testing
Final steps include cleanup of tools and workspace, test driving the vehicle, and double-checking all connections and fluid levels. Some minor adjustments may be needed.
Estimated labor hours by vehicle and engine
Here are rough estimates on the labor hours for replacing some common engines:
| Vehicle | Engine | Est. Labor Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Camry | 4-cylinder | 15-22 hours |
| Honda Accord | 4-cylinder | 16-20 hours |
| Ford F-150 Pickup | V8 | 25-35 hours |
| Toyota Tacoma | V6 | 20-30 hours |
| BMW 3-Series | 6-cylinder | 22-28 hours |
| Audi A6 | V6 | 26-32 hours |
| Porsche 911 | 6-cylinder | 32-40 hours |
As shown, luxury vehicles and complex performance engines require substantially more labor hours and higher costs.
Cost comparison between replacing engine vs buying a new car
When faced with a major engine repair, it’s worth comparing the cost of replacing the engine versus trading in your current vehicle and buying a different used car. Here’s an example cost comparison:
Replace Engine in 2010 Honda Civic with 150k miles
- Used engine – $1200
- Labor – $1800 (20 hours at $90/hour shop rate)
- Parts/materials – $500
- Total: $3500
Buy Used Replacement Car
- 2013 Honda Civic with 80k miles – $8500
- Trade-in value of current car – $2000 credit
- Total Cost: $6500
In this scenario, repairing the existing car with a new engine is almost half the cost of replacing the whole car. But there are other factors to consider like warranty coverage and older car issues. Evaluate each option carefully based on long-term costs, reliability and your budget.
Tips for saving money on an engine replacement
Here are some tips to save on costs for an engine replacement job:
- Find a quality used engine to save 50-70% over a new crate engine
- Use a reputable independent mechanic shop instead of a dealership
- Provide your own parts like filters, fluids and gaskets if allowed by the shop
- Ask the shop for a discounted hourly rate for a large labor job
- Negotiate the quote pricing; ask for package deals or discounts
- Avoid complex custom or performance upgrades that add labo
- If doing a rebuild, supply reusable components like intake, turbo, heads
- Compare quotes from at least 3 shops to find the best value
Being an informed consumer, shopping around, negotiating, and supplying some parts yourself can yield significant savings on your engine replacement costs.
Conclusion
The labor costs to replace an engine can range from as low as $800 for a small 4-cylinder up to $3000 or more for larger V6 and V8 engines. Luxury and performance cars run even higher. Get multiple quotes to compare pricing between reputable shops. While not inexpensive, replacing an engine is often less costly than replacing the entire car, especially if you do some research and find ways to save. With some diligent shopping and negotiation, you can get the engine you need at a fair price and breathe new life into your existing vehicle.