A rebuilt engine is one that technicians stripped down to its most basic components and then completely reconstructed. The engine features refurbished or replaced parts, and it's essentially like-new even though it might have driven hundreds of thousands of miles. This isn't the most common repair, but there are two times when rebuilding a car's engine makes sense.
1. Repair a Failed Engine on a Budget
Engines are expensive. You'll likely have to spend a few thousand dollars on auto work or a new vehicle if your car's engine fails.
First, you could choose to replace your current vehicle with a new one. This is the most expensive option, though, as both new and used cars cost a lot. The average price of a new car is
over $37,000, and used cars have an average price of about $20,000. Moreover, your current car won't mitigate this cost much if you trade it in since the engine doesn't work.
Second, you can opt to purchase a new engine and have it installed in your car. While this is more affordable than buying another car altogether, it's still a pricey route to go. New engines can run anywhere from $4,700 to $9,000 for high-end ones according to USA Today, which is still much more than most budget-minded drivers want to spend.
Third, you can have a mechanic remove a used engine from an identical vehicle and install it in yours. This typically costs from $1,800 to $4,000 for the engine and another several hundred dollars in labor costs. This is more affordable, but you don't know the condition of a used engine - and someone may have already driven a long way on it.
Finally, you'll probably pay a mechanic somewhere between
$2,500 and $4,000 to rebuild your car's current engine. Although this is roughly comparable to the cost of a used engine, rebuilding is preferable because the condition of a rebuilt engine is essentially like-new. A used engine won't be refurbished and could break down soon, but a rebuilt one will last for a long time.
Of the four options that are available to you when your car's engine fails, a rebuilt engine is the most budget-friendly choice. It's affordable and leaves you with a reliable workhorse under the hood.
2. Keep a Classic Car's Engine During Restoration
If you have a classic car and its engine is blown, the two main options are to install a used engine or rebuild the car's current one. Purchasing a classic car that's in good running condition isn't likely to be cheap, and installing a new engine that's made today wouldn't be true to the car's original mechanics. Classic car owners usually want their car to be as original as possible.
While you can try to find a used engine that's an exact match to your classic car's original, it can be difficult to locate used engines for these cars. Since there aren't many of them, there aren't a lot of used engines available. You'll have a much easier time finding a used engine for a popular and relatively new sedan than you will for a specialized car from long ago.
Thus, the most affordable and realistic option is to have a mechanic rebuild the engine. This will be affordable and keep your engine as original as possible, and a mechanic can source parts as they're needed for the rebuild.
If you have a new, used, or classic car that needs an
engine rebuild, contact the professionals at Advantage Salvage & Auto Parts LLC to learn about the process. We can repair or rebuild your engine.