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Engine Swap: An Overview

Saving money on an expensive repair

It's probably one of the worst mechanical scenarios you could imagine: your late-model vehicle has just suffered a catastrophic engine failure, and since it wasn't a warranty-related problem, you'll have to pay for it out of your own pocket. Even though you may not know the exact cause, it will help to determine the problem since that will help you decide exactly which repair option is best.

Pattern Failure

For instance, if the failure scenario was not initiated by any outside action, but might indicate a potential "pattern failure" in other similarly equipped vehicles, it might be wise to pursue some type of warranty remedy. Checking with the dealership service department and also on the Internet for information of such a failure, may give you just the leverage you need to convince the manufacturer to foot the bill, even if the vehicle is a bit beyond the warranty period.

If the failure scenario was initiated by an outside action, then that's horsepower of a different color. Reasons for the loss of an engine might be a lack of lubrication (due to poor maintenance, damage to the oil pan, or the wrong weight of oil), possibly aggravated by over-revving during the warm-up period. Or overheating could be the culprit, caused by cooling system component failure, or coolant loss through contact with road debris.

The "pattern failure" might be viewed as inevitable, and would likely require a replacement engine with an updated design so that type of failure is not repeated. On the other hand, the "outside action" failure certainly was not inevitable, and had that action not occurred, you could still be out there driving the vehicle with no problem (yeah, don't rub it in). If you only had another chance, you would do it differently, right? Well, while we can't turn back time, we can suggest the next best thing—a used (as in "pre-owned") replacement engine.

Next Best Thing

Used replacement engines (for late-model vehicles) are gaining in popularity these days for a number of good reasons:

Cost

Not only is a used engine the least-expensive option, but it generally will require less labor to replace. That's because you generally don't have to strip it all the way down to the bare short-block and head(s) when transferring parts, especially in lower-mileage examples. Vehicle downtime will be reduced because used engines are usually sold with attached and (normally) sound accessory components. That can come in very handy if your vehicle's existing components are worn or about to fail anyway.

Quality

Although it would be hard to argue against the absolute quality of a brand new, OEM replacement engine or a custom-built crate motor, it would be easier to argue in favor of the better cost/quality ratio of a low-mileage used engine. As mentioned earlier, if there is not a pattern failure problem with the engines for your vehicle model, the used engine should give reliable long-term service—providing that it is prepped correctly upon installation.

How about rebuilt or remanufactured engines? While their cost/quality ratio can at times be favorable when compared to the used engine, this is not always the case. Depending on the engine, it may suffer from poor core quality or availability. In addition, complexity in the rebuilding process can lead to a number of compromises that may adversely affect the long-term durability, or even the installation compatibility (fit) of the engine.

Availability

If the vehicle in question is a recently-introduced model, there may not be any rebuilt/remanufactured, or possibly even new engines readily available at any price! Here are a few tips on selecting a worthy used engine for your vehicle:

> Insist on getting an engine from exactly the same model of car as the one you own. Doing so can sometimes be the hardest part of the whole procedure. Although many manufacturers may use a certain engine design to power a number of different models, keep in mind that with different drivetrain layouts spanning more than a couple of model years, they probably won't all be good interchange candidates. Certain unscrupulous or uninformed suppliers of used parts may say that interchange compatibility exists when it actually doesn't-which may be especially true if you are seeking a low-volume option engine that they don't have in stock. Upon engine selection or delivery, go over it with the proverbial "fine-tooth comb" to check compatibility.

> Refuse an engine that doesn't meet acceptable standards. Although most used parts suppliers really don't want to have their reputation besmirched through the sale of poor quality engines, sometimes a bad one will slip through. Perhaps the vehicle that they pulled the engine from had a bogus "laundered" odometer mileage reading, or, although the engine test-ran fine, the supplier didn't inspect the inside for telltale signs of poor oil maintenance, or didn't notice the leaking core (freeze) plugs. Whatever the case, it's up to you (or your pro) to perform a delivery inspection to avoid being victimized.

> Understand the engine warranty. Follow all printed instructions for installation and preventive repair/maintenance at the time of installation. If warranty options are available, review them and select the one that best meets your needs.

If care is used in following these directions, and in the actual replacement of the engine, the vehicle should look and run as if nothing ever happened to it. Now that's making the best out of a bad situation!