When to Invest in New Engine
Question: My car engine blew up after only 70,000 miles. I’m thinking of getting a new engine, but I’m not sure whether I should do that or junk the car. It’s only 5 years old and everything else seems OK. How can I decide whether it’s economical, and how do I get a new engine?--J.N.
Answer: Each year, 3 million remanufactured engines go into American cars, a significantly higher rate than 10 years ago and an indication that Americans are trying to keep their cars running longer than ever before.
Although car makers, foreign and domestic, like to tout the quality and increased longevity of their products, the engine-remanufacturing industry has a different view. The typical new engine can be shot after 75,000 miles, no better than in the past.
About 30% of the 3 million remanufactured engines installed last year were on 1990 and 1991 cars, says Barry Soltz, president of the Automotive Engine Rebuilders Assn. Many engines are wrecked by poor maintenance; others fail prematurely because of design or manufacturing deficiencies, Soltz says.
A remanufactured engine, including installation, generally costs $1,700 to $3,500. Although that may seem like a bundle, it’s a lot cheaper than laying out $10,000 to $20,000 for a new car.
When deciding whether to invest in an engine, you might use the criterion insurance companies generally apply:. If a car can be repaired for 80% of its market value, most companies will insist that it be fixed rather than junked.
Similarly, if your 5-year-old car is worth even $4,000, it makes plenty of sense to buy a new engine. That’s assuming the transmission, drive train, front end and body are in good condition.
In most cases, motorists replace their engine only after the old one is dead--the result of a major internal mechanical failure. High oil consumption or poor compression may indicate a weak engine, but you you can nurse these symptoms for much less than it would cost to put in a new engine.
Once you commit to a new engine, shop around. You absolutely do not want a neighborhood garage or service station to do the rebuilding. Your engine may need only a piston rod or a new crankshaft bearing, and a specialized tear-down could cost as much as a fully rebuilt engine.
A remanufactured engine uses only the cylinder block, head and crankshaft from the old engine. The pistons, bearings and rods, among other parts, are new. If the job is done right, you’ll have a virtually new engine.
There are 4,300 engine rebuilders nationwide who specialize in making old engines like new, Soltz says. An adept installation garage can have your car back in two days. A good independent mechanic may also be qualified to do the installation, but be sure he handles dozens of such jobs each year.
Another option is Motorworks, a new franchise that installs remanufactured engines in 30 outlets around the country; the first California operation will open later this year. Its factory also rebuilds many of the engines it installs.
Motorworks backs its engines for 12 months or 12,000 miles; an extended $295 warranty increases the coverage to four years or 48,000 miles, says company president Joseph A. Robinson. The firm can be reached at (800) 327-9905.
Vartabedian cannot answer mail personally but will attempt to respond in this column to automotive questions of general interest. Please do not telephone. Write to Your Wheels, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, Calif. 90053.
