Each part of your vehicle plays a vital role in its overall performance. The engine, for example, serves as the heart of your car.
For many, purchasing and owning a car can be an investment. It sounds just right to keep it working and put effort when it comes to its maintenance.
If you are someone who wants to make sure their vehicle is properly taken care of, here are the things that you should know first hand. Every car, its manufacturer, and auto repair shop are different. Take note that the costs are just estimates.
Common Car Engine Repair Services and their Cost
Oil change
Maintaining the engine of your vehicle requires so much work than just changing your oil. Nonetheless, it will be extremely helpful to detect concerns that your vehicle may have in the process of having the car under total inspection.
During the process of an oil change, the oil and oil filter are replaced. The oil must be drained from the engine into a drip pan and the filter should be changed into a new one before adding fresh oil. By periodically changing the oil of your vehicle can keep your engine healthy.
Estimated total cost: $45 to $70
Estimated time: 20 to 50 minutes
Engine tune-up
Engine tuning can help the engine’s power output and durability by adjusting the internal combustion engine or Engine Control Unit (ECU).
This service makes sure that the engine works in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications and expectations by inspecting spark plugs, contact breaker points, distributor cap and distributor rotor in the ignition system. Filters and emission controls can be checked as well.
Estimated total cost: $50 to $800
Estimated time: 2 to 4 hours
Water pump
In order for the engine of your vehicle to stay at a constant temperature regardless of external factors such as the weather, the water pump helps with that by circulating liquids when it is running.
Driving a car with a problem in the water pump may cause overheating that can potentially bring total damage to the car engine resulting in needing costly complete engine replacement.
When the water pump needs to be replaced, it can be a difficult task that is why it needs to be done preferably by a professional. This is done by first inspecting the coolant parts and as needed, repaired or replaced.
Estimated total cost: $300 to $750
Estimated time: 3 hours or more
Timing belt replacement
The timing belt is found in the internal combustion engine and is crucial to your car as it helps to keep the moving, internal parts of the engine synchronized.
Vehicle manufacturers have their own mileage intervals that they recommend to car owners to replace their timing belt. Often, this is included in the owner’s manual.
Over the years, your car’s timing belt can wear down. When it breaks, this may result in the desynchronization of the internal parts, causing damage and failure of your engine.
Though this service may appear as expensive, having your timing belt replaced before it breaks will avoid major disruptions in your engine and will save you money in the long run.
Estimated total cost: $300 to $500
Estimated time: 1 to 3 hours
Timing chain repair/replacement
The timing belt and the timing chain are somehow similar, they are just placed in different locations and their materials are distinct. The timing chain is made of metal while the timing belt is composed of rubber.
The purpose of the timing chain is to synchronize the rotation of the internal shafts so that they work with proper timing and that the valves inside the engine can open and close during the firing of each cylinder. This chain must be lubricated by the engine’s oil.
The timing chain of your car only needs to be replaced when it has a problem with it. If vehicle owners fail to take care of it, either the engine would not start or it will fail while driving.
Estimated total cost: $400 to $1000
Estimated time: 4 to 6 hours
This is a brief overview of the most common car engine repair services and chances are, there is an engine repair shop near where you are. Services and cost vary on the model and make of your car and minor fixes rarely go above $100. Major engine problems that require a complete replacement of the engine may go up to $7000. So whenever you sense there is something wrong with your engine or if you think it’s time for a maintenance check, it can be a good idea to run to the nearest engine repair shop wherever you may be.