3 Costly Car Repairs

Owning a car can be a pricey endeavor, but it’s practically a requirement for anyone who doesn’t have access to good public transportation. In addition to the cost of the car itself, drivers also must pay for insurance and routine maintenance. According to AAA, it now costs about 60.8 cents per mile to own, operate, and maintain the average vehicle. That translates into about $9,122 per year for the car owner who drives 15,000 miles each year. The average differs depending on the size of the vehicle. For example, the AAA study revealed that it costs about 46 cents per mile for a small sedan, and 77.3 cents per mile for a four-wheel drive SUV. Occasionally, drivers must pay for repairs. When your ride isn’t running as well as it should, there are several auto repairs that can break the bank. The most expensive repairs include a blown motor or replacement of a four speed transmission in Sandy Springs. Here is a list of some of the costliest car repairs.

Blown Engine

Any number of items can result in a blown engine. From a broken rod, a damaged rod, or leaking oil, any damage to your vehicle left untreated can result in major, expensive repairs. It costs between $1,000 and $4,000 to repair or replace a broken engine. Experts advise car shopping if you need an engine replacement for a car with more than 150,000 miles on it. Though the new engine may give your ride a bit of new life, the rest of the car also has all those miles on it, meaning, your car could be back in the shop in short order. Fortunately, most auto mechanics will provide some sort of warranty on the work to replace a blown engine. If your car winds up back in the shop shortly after the engine is replaced, chances are good the repair will be covered.

Busted Head Gasket

Head gasket problems are often the result of an overheated engine, but cars with a lot of miles and years on them are also at risk of head gasket problems. If your car’s engine starts rough, especially after it’s sitting overnight, that’s an early sign that your car’s head gasket may be about to fail. When it does, many cars’ tail pipes will emit a white, sweet-smelling smoke. If your car’s head gasket is busted, prepare to spend the big bucks to replace it. The new part itself will probably cost you less than $100, but the labor will cost between $1,100 and $1,400. During the repair, a technician will also inspect the engine’s cooling system components, such as the hoses, water pump, radiator and vacuum lines. If any of those components are damaged, plan on paying to have them repaired at the same time, at additional cost, of course.

Transmission Replacement

When a car’s transmission fails, it usually the result of one of two things: poor driving habits or an issue with the transmission fluid. Transmission fluid doesn’t need to be serviced or replaced as often as oil or other car fluids, so it’s easy for drivers to overlook or forget. Many car manufacturers suggest that transmission fluid be replaced every 100,000 miles. A lot of auto mechanics disagree and recommend it should be more replaced more often. While it is possible for the DIY enthusiast to replace the transmission fluid, depending on the make and model of the car, it can be a lot more complicated than your basic oil change. Replacing an entire transmission, whether it’s a four speed transmission in Sandy Springs or a five speed elsewhere, it’s not a thrifty repair. It costs between $1,800 and $3,500 to replace a transmission.