How Much Does Spun Bearing Repair Cost?

Last Updated on August 22, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

A spun bearing is one of the most catastrophic mechanical failures that can occur inside any engine. This urgent and expensive issue develops when an engine bearing loses oil pressure and friction from the spinning crankshaft quickly overheats and damages the bearing material.

Immediate professional repair is required to restore engine function and prevent extensive resultant damage from running any length of time with a spun bearing.

But what are the typical costs associated with properly diagnosing and repairing a spun main, rod or cam bearing? Carefully understanding what critical factors influence pricing allows drivers to accurately budget and plan for this major engine service when the need arises.

How Much Does Spun Bearing Repair Cost?

On average, expect the total cost for spun bearing repair to range from $1,500 to $6,000 or more depending on the specific vehicle, extent of repairs needed, mechanic hourly rates, and your location. Here are some basic parts and labor estimates:

Mechanic’s Diagnostic Testing – $200 to $400

• 1-2 hours shop time identifying the failed bearing(s)

Parts Expenses – $500 to $2,000

• Replacement bearings: $300 to $800
• Gaskets, seals, hardware: $100 to $300
• Potential machine shop work: $100 to $400

Complete Labor Time – $1,400 to $4,000

• 10-25 hours for full R&R
• Shop rate $80 to $150/hour

Total Repair Costs – $2,000 to $6,500+

This assumes no major engine components require replacement. Significant additional repairs can easily exceed $10,000 in some cases.

On the Supra Forums, a user mentioned that the labor cost alone for repairing a spun rod bearing could be around $1,000, with the total cost potentially reaching $3,700 when parts are included. Another user suggested that if the damage is limited to just the block, the cost could be approximately $1,500.

On the Honda-Tech Forum, users reported being quoted prices ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 for replacing pistons, rings, and bearings at various shops. One user mentioned an outstanding price of $2,000 for a boost-ready, fully built block at a reputable shop in Atlanta.

A Reddit user who had a spun bearing in their Genesis Coupe stated that it cost them $1,600 to get it fixed. Another user mentioned that a whole new rebuilt motor for their Genesis Coupe cost $6,000, with an additional $2,000 for labor and other expenses.

On the NASIOC Forum, a user was quoted $6,000 for a new motor from a dealership after experiencing a spun rod bearing in their 2000 Toyota Celica GT. They emphasized that the cost can vary significantly depending on the extent of the damage and whether a new engine is needed.

What Causes Spun Bearings?

There are several common root causes that can precipitate a bearing going from smooth rotation to overheating and spinning uncontrollably:

• Critically low oil level or loss of oil pressure due to leaks starving the bearing surfaces.
• Heavy sludge buildup in the oil passages that blocks or restricts vital lubrication.
• Severe overheating issues from a low coolant level, leaking head gasket, or consistently overtaxing/overrevving the engine.
• Exceeding reasonable RPM limits, especially when engine and oil are not fully warmed up.
• Normal high-mileage bearing clearance wear combined with driving under heavy loads.
• Incorrect installation or seating of a bearing during prior engine repair work.

The core factors present in most cases involve a lack of adequate lubrication reaching the bearings paired with excessive heat generation that the oil or coolant can no longer dissipate quickly enough. This combination inevitably causes rapid bearing material failure.

You might also like our articles about the cost of timing chain replacement, head gasket repair, or port and polish heads.

Symptoms of a Spun Bearing

Here are the most common indicators that a bearing has spun and requires immediate repair:

• A loud, deep knocking or pounding sound emanating from the engine bowels.
• Check engine light illuminated with trouble codes related to low oil pressure or engine misfires.
• Significant loss of oil pressure on the gauge or warning light accompanied by dashboard oil canister symbols.
• Blueish smoke emitting from the exhaust as engine oil is burned during combustion.
• Small metal shavings and chunks detectable in the engine oil from disintegrating bearing material.
• Oil leaks detected around the main crankshaft seals as pressures change.

Once these symptoms appear, cease driving immediately and call for a tow to prevent total engine destruction. The repair shop diagnosis begins the cost calculations.

Factors Influencing the Repair Costs

The primary considerations that sway the overall parts and labor pricing include:

• Labor Hours and Mechanic Shop Rates – The total time invested diagnosing, disassembling to the point of access, and reassembling the engine can run 10 to 30 billable hours depending on engine complexity. Shop rates between $80 to $150 per hour significantly influence overall service costs.
• Parts Expenses – New replacement bearings, gaskets, seals, hardware and any specialty tools required accumulate costs quickly. For the full engine rebuild, figure $500 to $2,000+ in parts.
• Machine Shop Services – The crankshaft journals must be precision machined and measured to accept undersized replacement bearings with perfect clearances, adding more specialty service fees.
• Additional Repairs Needed – If the crankshaft, pistons, rods or block cylinders are damaged beyond service limits, major component replacements radically increase costs but are usually necessary.
• Vehicle Make and Model – More complex engine designs require greater teardown/reassembly time and specialized tools invoking higher total service bills.
• Local Market Factors – Major metro shop rates exceed those in outlying areas. Supply and demand influence local market conditions.

Spun Bearing Repair Process

A professional spun bearing fix involves:

• Diagnosis testing to identify failed bearings
• Disassembly to access crankshaft and remove damaged bearings
• Inspecting crankshaft journals for scoring or out of round
• Machining crank journals and block to accept undersized bearings
• Installing new correctly clearance bearings
• Reassembly and testing oil pressure

Proper repairs are critical to restore engine function and prevent immediate re-failure.

Engine Replacement vs Repair Considerations

For older vehicles already exhibiting significant mileage or existing internal engine wear issues, replacement with a quality used or remanufactured engine may prove a better value than investing in extensive repairs of questionable durability. Some ballpark estimates on engine replacement versus repair costs:

• Used Engine – $2,000 to $4,000
• Remanufactured Engine: $4,000 to $8,000
• Professional Spun Bearing Repair: $2,000 to $6,000

Carefully comparing engine replacement options against repair estimates can help determine the better investment given your specific situation.

Is DIY Repair Realistic?

While Internet forums make DIY repairs tempting from a cost-savings perspective, successfully repairing spun bearings or performing an engine rebuild requires substantial expertise and specialty tools totally infeasible for most car owners. Serious risks include:

• Must have automotive training, technical skill and proper equipment to disassemble and access components safely.
• Matching new bearing clearances and measurements during reassembly is extremely meticulous work.
• Any errors or deviations in repairs greatly increase the risks of catastrophic failure or immediate spinning again.
• Purchased used engines have zero warranty coverage if issues later develop.

Only those with years of experience, an equipped shop, and spare vehicle should attempt such major DIY repairs. For most drivers, hiring a professional mechanic is by far the safest option.

Prevention With Proper Maintenance

Regular engine care greatly extends the life of bearings and reduces the risks of spun failures:

• Frequently check oil levels and top off when low. Watch for pressure changes.
• Address any oil leaks immediately rather than ignoring seepage or drips until it’s too late.
• Adhere to oil change intervals, using the proper viscosity and volume for your engine.
• Avoid excessive engine revving into red zones or bouncing off rev limiters.
• Service the cooling system regularly and watch operating temperatures to avoid overheating issues.
• Inspect bearing surfaces for early wear during major engine servicing.

Bearings are intricate components that require diligent proactive care to maximize functional longevity.

Final Words

A professional spun bearing repair typically runs $1,500 to $6,000 on average for parts and labor, sometimes exceeding $10,000 with major engine work needed. While certainly a costly surprise failure, being aware of the factors that influence pricing and utilizing diligent preventative engine maintenance helps drivers avoid this worst-case engine repair scenario. Keeping your engine properly maintained keeps you out of the shop and on the open road.

Answers to Common Questions

How bad is it to drive with a spun bearing?

It is extremely inadvisable to continue driving once spun bearing symptoms emerge. The damaged bearing can seize up the engine in short order, causing extensive repairs. Immediately stop driving and call for a tow.

Can a spun main bearing be fixed?

In many cases, spun main bearings can be repaired by a professional mechanic rather than requiring full engine replacement, provided the crankshaft journals are not excessively scored or damaged.

What damage can a spun bearing cause?

A spun bearing can destroy the crankshaft, pistons, rods, cams, cylinder walls, and other components if the engine is operated after initial failure. Catching the issue fast is key to minimizing resultant damage.