How much Money would I save rebuilding my engine instead of replacing it?
(2010-10-21 14:10:14) 1. Says: Instead of taking it to the mechanic and having someone rebuild my engine for me or replacing the engine altogether, How much money would I save rebuilding the engine myself?car is Chevy cavalier 032. Says: I have rebuilt seven engines now, and to tell you the truth never saved a penny on it. By the time I bought the pistons, rings and had the block and head work done, the price of the engine exceeded a replacement (if one could be found). There are only two reasons to attempt a home rebuild, one is that that a replacement engine can not be found, or a desire for more horsepower.
Based on what I have done and seen others do, the first engine rebuild ends up as a over priced boat anchor. Not always that bad, but often it is.
If the goal is to save money, then find a cheap low mileage engine at a salvage yard.
There is the middle ground, which is to buy a replacement engine and install it yourself. You can save enough money to buy the tools needed and one or two hundred dollars on this. Keep in mind that getting the engine into place and hooked up to the transmission is frustrating.
There is a time to contact places that install used engines out of a salvage yard that they own. This was the choice I made the last time I needed a engine replacement. The price for the engine was right and the labor rate was low. It was winter and I have no indoor shop of my own. The total job cost less then I have paid for pistons and engine machine shop work alone.3. Says: First off, it depends on your skill level. It also depends on if you have the required tools to remove this engine and tear it down. You will also need a Chilton's manual for this car.
Also, it depends on the condition of the engine itself. For example you could find major components like the crankshaft are worn beyond repairable limits. If you need to replace some of the major components this will obviously cost you more money.
If you feel you can change the engine yourself there is another option. Many major automotive parts stores sell re-manufactured engines that are reasonably priced, especially for domestic models like yours. You might be able to find a re-manufactured engine for less money than you could rebuild the engine yourself. Also these engines will typically have a 12 month / 12,000 mile warranty.
Another advantage of using a re-manufactured engine is that instead of your car being down while you rebuild your engine you might be able to pull off an engine swap in a weekend. Consider that part of overhauling your own engine will require that you send the cylinder head, block connecting rods, and crankshaft to the machine shop. This will add at least 1 week to your project while you wait for parts. You may also find yourself waiting for any parts that you might need to special order from the parts store which will also add to how long it will take you to do this project. It could take up to a month to rebuild this engine yourself.4. Says: Even if you rebuild your engine yourself, a lot of the work still has to be done by other shops such as block, head, valves, etc., so what you would be saving is the teardown and reassembly labor as well as pulling and reinstalling the engine. Certainly money to be saved, but I'm not sure it's worth not having a warranty as you would by having a good, reputable shop do it. Another option is a used engine, again with a warranty. Being it is an 03, it might not be worth it to do a full rebuild unless you are going to keep it for many more years.5. Says: Depends on how bad of shape your engine is in. Anymore on small car engines like that it is cheaper to buy a rebuilt one than to rebuild it yourself. Now if all it needed was new bearings and piston rings yea it would be cheaper to rebuild it. You might get it tore apart and find that you need to get the crank done or even replace it, might have to bore out the cylinders and then your looking at new pistons. And if you spun a rod bearing you may need one or more new rods.
Im thinkin that you should at least tear it down yourself and check it out and if it dont look too bad rebuild it. And on the other hand if it does look a lil pricey you could do it anyway just for the experience and say hey i rebuilt this.
Also keep in mind that a boughten rebuilt will have warranty where do it your self has none.
The only engines we rebuild in shop anymore are trucks and tractors and a few specialty high performance engines for cars and pickups. Its just so much cheaper for the customer and the rebuild company covers the warranty not us.6. Says: First you have to have all of the tools and knowledge to do so.
Second you will need a place that is sufficient for this task.
These two things are very costly if you do not already have them, so if at this point you do not have tools, knowledge, or a sufficient place to work, then you probably are going to save money by taking it to someone else.
If you have knowledge, and tools, and a place, then you are definitely gonna benefit from doing the work yourself. Mechanics charge a minimum of $80/hr., so on top of paying for parts, you are paying double on labor!
Rebuilding vs. Replacing will only be determined after you completely pull and disassemble the engine. After determining weather you need a rebuild, or a replace. You will then know the route to take. If your crankcase, rods, pistons, or cylinders are damaged, you will end up completely replacing. If that stuff is okay, then you should be okay with a freshen up. Order rings, gaskets, seals, and anything else that is worn, and have the heads freshened up at the machine shop. Once you replace or rebuild, you will have saved an AMAZING amount of money.
-Jackson
http://urbanscooters.com/7. Says: i say get a used one the parts to repair are very expensive just pay a good engine mechanic to inspect the used 1 for you before you buy it8. Says: Same question by another person:
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