My car overheated and won't start — what should I do?

Stop cranking it. Call (708) 575-4555 and Boltz Automotive will help you figure out next steps, including getting the vehicle towed in for diagnosis.

Does Boltz handle insurance work?

Engine failures usually aren't insurance claims, but collision damage is — Boltz processes claims with State Farm, Allstate, Geico, and Progressive and handles adjuster communication directly.

Engine Replacement Chicago | Used & Reman Engines

Q: How long does an engine replacement take?

Labor typically runs 10–20+ hours depending on the vehicle's layout; total days in the shop depend mostly on engine sourcing. You'll get a timeline with your written estimate.

Engine Replacement in Chicago: Cost, Used vs. Remanufactured, and What to Expect

Blown engine? Knocking, overheated, or burning oil? Boltz Automotive replaces and installs engines — used, remanufactured, and new — at our shop at 707 W 119th Street on Chicago's South Side. We're a full-service auto repair shop with an in-house collision, body, and paint department, continuing the C&J Auto Rebuilders legacy on this corner since 1982. Serving Roseland, West Pullman, Morgan Park, Beverly, Pullman, Calumet Park, and all of Chicago's South Side. Call or text (708) 575-4555. Open Monday–Saturday, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last regular appointment around 4:00 PM).

How we confirm your engine actually needs replacement: Many "dead" engines don't need replacement. Before quoting a swap, we run diagnostics — fault-code scans, compression and leak-down testing where warranted, oil and coolant inspection for cross-contamination, and a physical check to separate true rod knock from accessory noise. You get the findings in plain language — repair, rebuild, or replace — with the numbers behind each option, in writing.

Repair, rebuild, or replace: A repair makes sense when the failure is isolated and the bottom end is healthy. A rebuild makes sense for rare or valuable engines worth machining — rebuilding is in our roots as C&J Auto Rebuilders. Replacement usually wins when there's internal damage and a quality used or remanufactured engine costs less than machine work. And sometimes the honest answer is none of the above: when repair costs approach the running value of the car, we'll tell you straight.

Used vs. remanufactured vs. new: A used engine is the most affordable route and usually the fastest when a tested, lower-mileage unit is available — we review the engine's mileage and testing documentation with you before you approve the job. A remanufactured engine is machined to spec with new wear parts and typically carries the longest warranty — the right call if you're keeping the vehicle long-term. A new OEM crate engine is the premium option, mostly for late-model vehicles.

What engine replacement costs in Chicago: Every honest quote is five numbers added together — the engine itself; labor (most swaps run roughly 10–20+ hours depending on layout: a transverse front-wheel-drive sedan is the easy end, while AWD, trucks, and tight European engine bays take longer); the parts that should be replaced while the engine is out; machine work or system cleanup after overheats and bearing failures; and programming, fluids, and break-in. Illinois entitles you to a written estimate before work begins — we put every line in writing. Full breakdown on our Engine Replacement Cost in Chicago page.

What we replace while the engine is out: Mounts, hoses, thermostat, filters, and fluids — and on many engines the water pump and timing components — get inspected or replaced while access is easy. After an overheat or bearing failure, cooling and oil systems need flushing; contaminated oil coolers are how cheap engine swaps fail early. If another quote is dramatically cheaper, this is usually what it skipped.

Warranty: Coverage varies by engine source — used, remanufactured, and new engines carry different terms. We spell out exactly what's covered on your job, in writing, on your estimate before you approve anything.

Common questions: How long does an engine replacement take? Labor typically runs 10–20+ hours depending on the vehicle; total days in the shop depend mostly on engine sourcing — you'll get a timeline with your written estimate. Is it worth replacing an engine on a high-mileage car? Sometimes — when the rest of the car is sound and replacement costs meaningfully less than replacing the vehicle; bring it in and we'll walk the math with you honestly. My car overheated and won't start — what now? Stop cranking it; call (708) 575-4555 and we'll help you figure out next steps, including getting it towed in for diagnosis. Do you handle insurance work? Engine failures usually aren't insurance claims, but collision damage is — we process claims with State Farm, Allstate, Geico, and Progressive and deal with adjusters directly.

Boltz Automotive Inc. · 707 W 119th St, Chicago, IL 60628 · Call or text (708) 575-4555 · Open Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM (last regular appointment around 4:00 PM) · Request an estimate any time through our Schedule Service page.