Mechanical Repair
Engine replacement near you
Engine replacement with a used, remanufactured or new unit, plus fresh mounts and wear parts, then started, checked for leaks and road tested.
- Time needed
- More than a day
- plan to leave it
- Mobile service
- At the shop
- drop-off
- Shops in Canada
- Joining soon
- doing this work
- Your price
- You set it
- shops bid on it
You set the budget
Shops near you send their bids
Free to post, no obligation
Mechanical Repair
What an engine replacement is
An engine is replaced when it has seized, thrown a rod, cracked or worn out so far that repairing it costs more than a substitute. The substitute can be a used engine from a recycler, a remanufactured engine rebuilt to specification, or a new crate engine, and that choice sets the price, the warranty and how long the vehicle waits.
The technician drains the fluids, disconnects the wiring, hoses, exhaust and controls, recovers the A/C refrigerant if that system must be opened, separates the engine from the transmission and lifts it out. Sensors and accessories are moved across, and mounts, seals, belts and hoses are renewed while access is easy. The vehicle is then started, checked for leaks and road tested, and you get break-in instructions.
- For cars, vans and trucks
- Takes more than a day
What does an engine replacement cost?
It depends on your vehicle and the shop. Post a job with your budget and compare the bids shops near you send.
Get bids
Name your budget. Shops near you bid.
Shops across Canada that do engine replacement see your request.
What to expect
Engine replacement, step by step
What the job normally covers, what to mention in your request, and the signs that it is time. Every shop says what its bid includes.
The job
What’s included
- Failure diagnosed and the rest of the vehicle assessed, so you know an engine is worth the money before you commit
- Replacement engine sourced, with its kilometres, test results, supplier and warranty written on the work order
- Fluids drained and refrigerant recovered where the A/C system has to be opened
- Wiring, hoses, exhaust and fuel lines disconnected, and the engine separated from the transmission and lifted out
- Sensors, intake and accessories moved across or replaced, with mounts, seals, belts and hoses renewed
- Clutch, water pump, thermostat and radiator hoses replaced at the same time, where they apply and you approve
- Fresh oil, filter and coolant; fuel, cooling and exhaust systems checked for leaks; codes read and cleared
- Road test, with break-in instructions and an early oil change noted on the work order
Checklist
Before you post
- 01Ask whether the engine is used, remanufactured or new, and get its source, kilometres, warranty and any core charge in writing
- 02Confirm the engine matches your year, model and emissions equipment, and whether its computer or key needs programming
- 03Ask what is replaced along with it: mounts, clutch, water pump, belts and hoses; they cost far less now than in a second visit
- 04Ask what the warranty covers on the engine and on the labour, who honours it, and what records it requires
- 05Ask for a written timeline, and what happens if the engine that arrives fails its checks and has to go back
- 06Weigh the total against the vehicle’s value, and against rebuilding the engine that is in it
Signs
When you need it
- A deep knock that rises with engine speed, or an engine that has seized and will not turn
- A hole or crack in the block, or heavy internal damage found after severe overheating
- Metal particles in the oil together with low oil pressure, showing the bearings have failed
- Weak compression in several cylinders and heavy oil use on a high-kilometre engine
- A broken timing belt or chain that has bent valves and damaged pistons on an interference engine
Sound familiar?Tell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.
Get bidsHow it works
Get an engine replacement done in four steps
You set the budget and choose the shop. Posting is free, and you pay the shop you hire once the work is 100% done.
- 01
Post your job
Choose the service, describe the job and your vehicle, and set your budget. It takes two minutes and costs nothing.
- 02
Shops compete
Nearby shops that do the work see your request and send their best offer: price, when they can start, what is included.
- 03
Accept the best offer
Compare bids, ratings and distance, then hire one shop. The others are told, politely.
- 04
Talk and get it done
Your conversation with the shop opens right away to agree on the day. You pay only after the job is complete.
Keep exploring
Related services
Engine rebuild
Engine rebuild: your own engine stripped, measured, machined and reassembled with new rings or pistons, bearings and gaskets, then refitted and broken in.
Head gasket repair
A failed head gasket confirmed by testing, then repaired with the cylinder head checked, resurfaced if needed and refitted on new bolts.
Clutch replacement
Clutch replacement with a new disc, pressure plate and release bearing and the flywheel checked, to cure a slipping, dragging or shuddering clutch.
Engine diagnostics
Engine diagnostics for a check engine light or rough running: a technician reads the fault codes, tests live data and reports the cause and the fix.
Oil change
Oil change with a new filter and fresh oil to your manufacturer’s specification, plus a quick fluid, tire and light check and the service reminder reset.
Questions
Questions about engine replacement
General answers for drivers in Canada. The shop you hire confirms the details for your vehicle.
Is it worth replacing the engine in an older car?
It can be when the body, transmission and interior are in good shape and the total comes to well under what a comparable vehicle would cost. A vehicle with a rusted frame, a tired transmission or an engine bill close to its value is usually better traded in or sold as is. Look up what similar vehicles sell for locally and ask for an itemized estimate before deciding.
What is the difference between a used, remanufactured and new engine?
A used engine is taken from a wrecked or retired vehicle; it costs least, and its condition is only as good as its history and testing. A remanufactured engine is disassembled, machined and rebuilt with new parts to factory specifications, usually with a longer warranty. A new crate engine is unused. Get the warranty terms for each in writing before you choose.
How long will my car be at the shop for an engine swap?
Once the engine is on hand, the swap itself takes about three to seven working days, depending on the vehicle and the extra parts replaced. Sourcing a suitable engine can add days, or a few weeks for a remanufactured or new unit. Ask for the engine’s due date and whether a loaner vehicle is offered, because the shop often cannot start until it arrives.
Can I supply my own engine?
Some shops will install an engine you supply, on conditions. Labour is priced as normal, the shop will not warrant the engine itself, and some shorten their labour warranty because they cannot vouch for the part. Bring its history and test results, check that it fits your year and model and is not missing sensors or accessories, and ask about this before you buy, not after.
What else should be replaced when the engine is swapped?
Anything that is expensive to reach with the engine in place and cheap with it out. That usually means the engine mounts, the clutch on a manual, the water pump, thermostat, drive belt and coolant hoses, and often the radiator cap and spark plugs. Each adds a little to the bill, but repeating the labour later costs far more, and some engine warranties expect these parts to be renewed.
Something else to ask? Once you hire a shop, you talk to it directly in your request’s conversation.
Ready when you areTell shops near you what you need and what you want to spend.
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Mechanical repair shops across Canada: drivers post their Mechanical Repair requests here. Publish your weekly flyer, open the appointment windows you can take and bid on the jobs near you. Free while we launch, no commission.