Oil spots under the vehicle
A gasket or seal leaking.
Engines
Engine Repair & Replacement in Idaho Springs
An engine quote is a big number, and it pays to check it. Testing shows the true extent of the damage first; after that the repair, rebuild or replacement each get a price you can compare.
Talk engines with us — (303) 500-1600
What you might notice
Sweet smell and coolant loss
A leak into or out of the cooling system.
Rattle or knock
Low oil or internal wear.
Temperature climbing on grades
The cooling system cannot keep up.
Sluggish and rough
Low compression or a deeper fault.
What gets checked
- Pressure test of the cooling system
- Compression and leak-down tests
- Oil pressure check
- Combustion gas test for head gaskets
- Leak source traced and confirmed
- Each option priced with its timeframe
How the quote is built
Before an engine is condemned, it is tested. A leak can be a gasket, an overheating engine can be a thermostat or a fan, and a knock can be something other than a bearing. The tests decide how big the job really is.
When the damage is internal, you get the repair, the rebuild and the replacement priced together, with an honest view on which makes sense for the vehicle.
The repair is backed for 12 months or 12,000 miles, so the price you agree to is not the end of our responsibility for the work.
What moves the price
External leaks and gaskets are at the lower end. Internal repairs and rebuilds sit in the middle, and a replacement engine depends on the unit available. The rest of the vehicle matters too, so we point out anything that would make a big repair a poor investment.
Checking a quote you already have
Before accepting an engine quote, ask what testing was done. A compression or leak-down result, a combustion gas test or a pressure test should sit behind any recommendation for internal work or a replacement engine. Ask whether a used, remanufactured or new engine is being quoted, what comes with it and how long sourcing will take. Those details explain most of the difference between two engine prices, and they are all on ours.
When you call
Tell us about any oil or coolant top-ups, smoke, overheating and the mileage. If another shop has already quoted, have the quote ready.
Questions we hear
Is a head gasket always the problem when coolant disappears?
No. External leaks, the radiator and the water pump are tested first.
Is it better to rebuild or replace?
It depends on the damage, the parts available and the vehicle. Both are priced so you can choose.
How long does an engine replacement take?
It mostly depends on sourcing the right engine. The timeframe comes with the quote.
Should I fix the engine or replace the vehicle?
That depends on the rest of the vehicle. We look at the body, transmission and suspension too, and tell you plainly if the money would be better spent elsewhere.
Get the engine options priced
Call with the symptoms or the quote you have, and we will plan the testing.