Urbandale Auto Repair

An engine failure does not always mean the vehicle’s story is over. Sometimes a focused repair brings thousands of reliable miles. Other times, the practical move is a full replacement. This guide lays out how to compare your options with real-world costs, risks, and long-term value in mind. First, Confirm You Have an Engine Problem Before weighing big decisions, make sure the core issue is truly internal. Low power, misfires, or overheating can come from fuel, ignition, exhaust restriction, or cooling faults that are far cheaper than opening the engine. A compression and leak-down test, an oil pressure test, and a cooling system pressure test separate an internal failure from an external one quickly. Our technicians start here, so you are not paying for an engine when a sensor or clogged converter is the real culprit. Repair vs. Replace: Key Decision FactorsType of failure Head gasket seep, minor timing chain noise, or a s ... read more