What happens if your car engine blows?

Asked by: Mrs. Violette Bruen  |  Last update: August 8, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (20 votes)

Sometimes a valve breaks and punches through the top of a piston. The broken valve will cause incredibly hot, pressurized oil and smoke to shoot out of the top of the engine. This requires a complete engine replacement. A blown engine can be expensive and in many cases necessitates a complete engine replacement.

Is it worth fixing a car with a blown engine?

How Much Is My Car Worth With A Blown Engine? Without a functioning engine, you can expect to get at least $3,000 less for your car as a sales price than you would get for a functioning vehicle. So if your vehicle is worth $10,000 in good condition, you should expect to get something closer to $4,000 to $7,000 for it.

Can you drive a car with a blown motor?

Can You Drive A Car With A Blown Engine? It's not a good idea. Even if you can get the car to start, you risk a serious fire. Once your engine it's blown, you need to get it worked on right away or sell it.

Can a blown engine be fixed?

If you do have a blown engine, whether or not it can be fixed depends upon the extensiveness of the damage. If the damage is minimal, and a few parts can be replaced, the problem can be fixed. However, if the damage is great and impossible to repair, you may need a complete engine replacement.

What are signs of a blown engine?

Top Signs of Engine Failure
  • Knocking noise. A knocking noise that comes from under the hood and rises and falls in speed with engine RPMs is most likely the sign of a failing engine bearing. ...
  • Increased exhaust. ...
  • Check engine light. ...
  • Decreased Performance. ...
  • Rough Idle.

Why Do Engines Blow Up | Blown Engine Causes | What Causes a Blown Piston | Partzilla.com

27 related questions found

How much is it to fix a blown engine?

A typical engine rebuild is between $2,500 and $4,000 in parts and labor costs. This type of engine repair might include simply replacing bearings and seals, and obviously taking the engine out and re-installing it.

How much does a new engine cost?

New engines start at around $4,000 for a 4-cylinder, around $5,500 for a V6 and $7,000 for a V8. Prices increase from these figures based on complexity of the engine and the brand of car.

Is it better to replace an engine or buy a new car?

Cost of Engine Replacement vs. Cost of a New Car

If you multiply that for 12 months, you're looking at spending $5,748 a year. Now, contrast that cost with the average cost of a remanufactured engine is $2,250 to $4,000. The engine replacement cost is about 10-20% of the cost of a new vehicle.

Does insurance cover if your engine blows?

Yes, car insurance covers engine blowing up, but only if it was caused by a covered scenario like an accident or vandalism. For instance, if a crash leads to engine blowing up, the policyholder's collision insurance will cover repairs, but not if the damage was caused by poor maintenance, negligence or wear and tear.

What does a blown engine sound like?

You'll know your motor has blown if there is a very loud noise. It can sound like a bang or a very loud knocking noise. If the engine is completely seized or you see smoke billowing out, that's also a sign that it's blown.

How long can you drive a car with a blown engine?

Some engines will stop operating altogether within one day. You might be able to drive the car for a week, or it may last for a few months if you use a temporary fix on it. As a rule of thumb, it's best to NOT drive if you suspect a head gasket issue.

What causes an engine to explode?

Cracked or loose wiring or electrical problems, including a fuse that blows more than once. Oil or fluid leaks. Oil cap not on securely. Rapid changes in fuel or fluid level, or engine temperature.

Is it cheaper to rebuild or buy a new engine?

Rebuilding to repair is usually cheaper than buying a new engine, too. You may save up to half of the cost of a new engine by rebuilding. However, sometimes rebuilding is not a good option. In cases where rebuilding will cost as much as a new engine, your mechanic should be upfront about those costs.

Is it worth putting new engine in car?

New engines offer a long-term, reliable solution to your car troubles. On the other hand, used vehicles may come with their own set of engine problems. If your used vehicle replacement encounters engine issues, you could end up paying twice as much in the long run.

Is engine covered under warranty?

A powertrain warranty usually covers everything that is involved in the process of providing power to the wheels of your vehicle. This includes the most important and expensive parts of the vehicle: engine, driveshaft, and transmission.

Does State Farm cover a blown engine?

Does State Farm cover blown engines? Yes, if you have State Farm Comprehensive Coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers a vehicle that's stolen or damaged by something other than collision or rolling over – like a blown engine.

Does full coverage car insurance cover a blown head gasket?

Yes, insurance will cover a blown head gasket if the mechanical failure was caused by vandalism, flooding or other outside forces. However, insurance will not cover a blown head gasket if the mechanical failure was caused by simple wear and tear, or due to lack of maintenance.

When should you give up on a car?

When repair costs start to exceed the vehicle's value or one year's worth of monthly payments on a replacement, it's time to break up with your car, according to automotive site Edmunds and Consumer Reports, the product review site.

What is a blown engine?

There is no one way to blow an engine, but it refers to a motor that has suffered catastrophic internal mechanical damage. An engine doesn't actually blow up, even though there may be smoke, steam, or rarely even fire. The damage is so extensive that it affects the majority of the engine parts.

How long does it take to replace an engine in a car?

Replacing a car engine typically takes eight to 15 hours depending on the make and model of your car and the mechanic you choose. However, your mechanic may quote you for a longer wait time, especially if the parts in your engine are hard to find.

How many hours does it take to replace an engine?

The time it takes to pull and replace an engine is 8-15 hours depending on the car's model, age, the skill of the mechanic, and type of engine work (replacement vs. repair). Some cars are notorious for having harder than usual engines to replace or repair.

Does replacing engine reset mileage?

Answer provided by

An engine swap or engine replacement will not reset the odometer as the odometer doesn't just measure the engine but all of the components of the car. In fact, it's illegal to reset the odometer as it would not accurately reflect the age of other parts of the vehicle.

When should I replace my engine?

In most cases with proper care, automobile engines are good for about 150,000 miles before they begin having serious engine problems, however there are times when you can have relatively new cars with much fewer miles and have the engine go bad.

How many miles will a rebuilt engine last?

A typical warranty on a rebuilt engine is for at least one year or 12,000 miles.

Does a rebuilt engine have 0 miles?

So to answer your question, if an engine rebuild is done well, the engine absolutely can last many tens of thousands of miles. And if you really plan to keep the car for 75,000 or 100,000 miles, you should consider finding a good car that you like, and then having the engine rebuilt yourself.