I have a '99 S70 with 92,500 miles on it. Recently, the "check coolant" light came on, and roughly a minute later the car shut down and started smoking.

The mechanic said it's pretty bad and recommends a new engine. Some people have said I can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 total and one person said $4,500 total with parts and labor. $4,500 is more than what I paid for the entire vehicle.

I'm assuming for a 20 hour job the labor will be around $800. So, what will a refurbished engine cost me? Thanks.

 

Not sure where you are but most people will drop in a used motor from a wrecked car. If you need a motor you may be able to get one from a junk yard and have someone put it in for you.

 

I'm in Los Angeles. I met with the mechanic today and he basically showed me everything taken apart. Three of the 5 cylinders are shot. The head gasket and head are beyond repair. Then he showed me some pretty terrible work that was done.

Bottom line he said he can get an engine for $1,500 and will try to do the labor, including all fluids and hoses so that the total job will be $3,000.

I went ahead and had him start the process so now I will have invested $7,400 on a ten year old car and I've only driven it for one month. This is my first Volvo, ever... and so far it hasn't been fun.

I hoping after this engine replacement that I'll be able to get several years out of it without any other major problems. Otherwise, this will have been one giant mistake.