Is it worth replacing an engine - 2002 Jeep Liberty

Maintenance/Repairs
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1

I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty with about 105,000 miles. The car was driven with out oil or coolant - I know - not good. I was not driving - but the driver swears no engine light came on.



I paid $7500 for the car in 2008.



The shop is saying $4500-$5000 for an engine replacement.



Is it worth redoing the engine? Should I sell it with out an engine and get something else? I love the car but if I am going to spend $5k then maybe I should put that into something newer?



Any advice would be appreciated.

2

Have you checked with an independent shop about the possibility of using a boneyard engine?

3

yep - the $4500 is a quote from a shop in VT. The car is in VT. I am in PA. I am having my shop check on a price - but then there is also a cost to get it back to PA>

4

The dilemma is that you will be spending 5K on a car that may be barely worth 5K with the used engine installed. This is a truly tough decision. Unless this vehicle is in absolute perfect shape and you have a level of confidence that the car can last (with used engine of some unknown quality/maintenance records) 25K miles or more, I think I would not repair it and walk.

5

thanks. Do you think I can get anything for it? Is a car with out an engine worth trying to sell or should I just donate it somewhere?

6

That’s way too high for a boneyard engine.

You might want to get it home and see what’s available locally.

7

You can ask whoever has possession of it in Vermont, but knowing your situation and knowing that you can’t come retrieve it very well, nor move it somewhere to get a better offer, the offer will be low, or non-existent. I would take what I could get and move on.

8

There is no possible way that quote is for a used engine. That has to be an estimate for a new or rebuilt motor. A used motor, installed, should probably run closer to $2000. If a shop wants 5 grand to install a used engine in a Jeep Liberty, you need to avoid that shop at all costs.

9

A long block shouldn’t be that much and installation would be over the top at what’s left over in costs. The labor and mark up on that is somewhere in the $2500+ range. @$250/hour it won’t take anyone worth paying that long to do the job. Rent a dolly. Tow home. Find starving capable wrench.