Engine replacement means removing the failed engine and installing a new, remanufactured or low mileage used unit. AutoTech Clinic handles engine replacement at 24100 Michigan Ave in Dearborn and lays out all three options with the cost, the warranty and the time frame so you can choose.
Before we quote a replacement we confirm the engine is truly beyond repair. That is a compression or leak down test, an oil inspection and a look at the cooling system, because the wrong diagnosis here is an expensive mistake.
- How Long
- Typically 3 to 7 working days, depending on the vehicle and parts supply.
- Same Day
- Time frame confirmed before you leave the car.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Engine Replacement
- A rod knock that gets louder as the engine warms up
- Metal flake or glitter in the engine oil
- Compression that is low across several cylinders
- Coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant with a confirmed cracked block
- The engine seized and will not turn over by hand
- A repair quote that approaches the cost of a replacement unit
What We Do
- 01
Confirm the Engine Is Done
We run a compression and leak down test, inspect the oil and check for coolant intrusion. We do not quote an engine until we are certain.
- 02
Lay Out the Three Options
New, remanufactured and used each have a different cost, warranty and lead time. We explain what you get with each and which we would choose for your vehicle.
- 03
Check the Rest of the Car
We inspect the transmission, rust, brakes and suspension so you know what else the car needs before putting an engine in it.
- 04
Replace the Wear Parts While We Are In
Water pump, thermostat, belts, hoses, motor mounts and gaskets are far cheaper to do now than after the engine is back in the car.
- 05
Break In and Follow Up
We road test, check for leaks hot and cold, and tell you what the break in period requires. We ask you to come back for a check after the first few hundred miles.
New, Remanufactured or Used
A new engine from the manufacturer is the most expensive and the most predictable. A remanufactured engine has been rebuilt to a specification with new wear parts and usually carries a solid warranty, and for most vehicles it is the balance point between cost and confidence.
A low mileage used engine is the cheapest route and the least predictable, because you are buying another car history. It can be the right answer on an older vehicle where the budget is firm. We will tell you which we would put in our own car.
Why Engines Fail Early
The two causes we see most are overheating and running out of oil. Both are preventable. An overheat warps the head and lets coolant into the cylinders, and a few minutes of low oil pressure takes out the bearings.
When we replace an engine we also find out why the first one died. Putting a fresh engine behind a plugged radiator or a leaking head gasket job only buys you a few months.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- New, remanufactured or used, which is the single biggest factor
- How much of the old engine transfers over (manifolds, accessories, sensors)
- Front wheel drive transverse engines versus rear wheel drive layouts
- Related parts replaced while access is open
- Whether the original failure damaged the cooling system or the catalytic converter
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.