Engine bay of a BMW 335i with the twin-turbo N54 inline-six

ImportRepairCost › Repair guides

Repair guides

What each job actually is, how you'd notice it, what the shop does, and why one quote comes in higher than another. Every guide links to the owner-reported prices behind it.

Audi

Audi TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine bayAudi carbon cleaning (walnut blasting): what it fixes and what it costsDirect-injection Audi engines build carbon on the intake valves. Signs you need walnut blasting, what the shop actually does, and the 13 owner prices we've collected.Read the guide →

BMW

White BMW 3 Series sedan on a show floorBMW N54/N55 high-pressure fuel pump: signs it's failing and what replacement costsLong cranks, stumbling and limp mode on a 335i or 135i often point to the high-pressure fuel pump. What the job is and what owners paid out of warranty.Read the guide →Engine bay of a BMW 335i with the twin-turbo N54 inline-sixBMW N54 water pump and thermostat: what it is and what drives the costWhy the electric water pump on the BMW N54 fails, the warning signs, what the job involves, and what owners have actually paid at independents and dealers.Read the guide →Open engine bay with intake plumbing and coolant reservoirBMW oil filter housing gasket: why it matters more than it looksAn oil filter housing gasket leak on an N55 BMW can take out the serpentine belt. What to watch for, what the repair involves and real owner prices.Read the guide →Engine bay of a BMW 335i with the twin-turbo N54 inline-sixBMW N55 valve cover gasket: symptoms, what's involved, and real pricesBurning oil smell or smoke from the engine bay on an N55 BMW? Here's why the valve cover gasket leaks, what the repair involves and what owners paid.Read the guide →

Honda/Acura

Honda V6 engine in an Accord engine bayHonda/Acura J35 V6 timing belt and water pump: interval and real pricesThe 3.5 V6 in the Pilot, Odyssey, Ridgeline, Accord, MDX and others uses a timing belt. When to change it, what the job should include and eight owner prices.Read the guide →

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz V6 engine with its engine coverMercedes M272 V6 balance shaft: the check engine light that turns into a big billSome mid-2000s Mercedes M272 V6 engines wear out the balance shaft gear. Codes, which cars, what the repair involves and what owners paid.Read the guide →

MINI

Yellow MINI Cooper S hatchbackMINI Cooper S (N14) timing chain: the "death rattle" and what it costs to fixEarly R56 MINI Cooper S engines are known for timing chain rattle. What causes it, why you shouldn't ignore it, and the limited price data we have.Read the guide →

Porsche

Porsche flat-six engine in the rear engine bayPorsche 986/996 IMS bearing: what it is, the risk, and real retrofit pricesThe intermediate shaft bearing on M96 Boxster and 911 engines can fail without warning. What the retrofit involves, why quotes vary so much, and what owners paid.Read the guide →

Subaru

Blue Subaru Impreza WRX STI hatchbackSubaru EJ25 head gaskets: why they fail and what the repair costsThe non-turbo EJ25 in older Foresters, Outbacks, Imprezas and Legacys is known for head gasket leaks. How to spot it, what's involved, and real owner prices.Read the guide →Subaru boxer engine on a stand with the timing belt exposedSubaru WRX (EJ25) timing belt and water pump: interval, what's included, real pricesThe EJ25 in the WRX and STI uses a timing belt that has to be changed on schedule. Here's the interval, what a full job should include and what owners paid.Read the guide →

Toyota/Lexus

Toyota Dual VVT-i V6 engine bayToyota/Lexus 3.5 V6 (2GR-FE) water pump: signs and what it costsThe 2GR-FE V6 in the Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna, Lexus ES and RX can develop a leaky water pump. What to look for and the price reports we have.Read the guide →

Volkswagen

Timing chain and sprockets on an engineVW/Audi 2.0T timing chain tensioner: the cheap fix that saves an engineEarly VW and Audi 2.0T TSI engines used a timing chain tensioner that can fail and wreck the engine. Who's affected, warning signs, and what owners paid.Read the guide →Volkswagen DSG dual-clutch gearbox on displayVW DSG transmission service: the 40k mile fluid change explainedWhat a DSG fluid and filter service is, which VW and Audi transmissions need it, why it matters, and the price data we have so far.Read the guide →Audi TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder engine bayVW EA888 Gen 3 water pump and thermostat housing leaksPink crust, a coolant smell and a low coolant light on a newer VW or Audi 2.0T usually means the plastic water pump assembly. What it involves and real prices.Read the guide →