Major Engine Repair in Kearny Mesa, San Diego
Some engine jobs just don't fit in a driveway. Pulling a head, dropping a transmission, swapping a long block — those need a lift, a engine hoist, a clean bench, and time. That's why San Diego Pro Mobile runs a full shop at 7898 Ostrow St. Drop the vehicle off, Willy gives you a straight diagnosis, and the heavy work gets done right.
Request Major Engine Repair & Replacement
Drop off at 7898 Ostrow St. We'll get back to you.
Honest, Upfront Pricing
Major Engine Repair & Replacement at Our Kearny Mesa Shop
Head Gasket & Timing Jobs
Blown head gaskets, leaking timing covers, snapped timing chains — full teardown and reassembly on the lift.
Long Block & Full Engine Swaps
Tired engine? We source the right replacement long block or used engine and install it the right way.
Honest Teardown First
Before we quote a replacement, we tear down enough to confirm what is actually wrong. No guessing.
Shop Lift & Hoist
Real shop equipment for the jobs that cannot be done safely in your driveway.
Drop-Off Process
From check-in to keys back — what happens at the shop.
- 1
Drop off the vehicle
Call ahead, bring it to 7898 Ostrow St. Willy will check it in and confirm symptoms.
- 2
Diagnosis on the lift
Compression test, leak-down, scope the bores if needed. We tell you what is actually wrong before any major work starts.
- 3
Upfront quote
You get a written quote with parts and labor before we tear anything down. No surprise add-ons.
- 4
Repair and road test
Engine work done on the shop lift, fluids filled, road-tested, and re-checked before pickup.
What counts as "major" engine work?
Anything that needs the engine out of the car, the head off, or the front cover pulled. Head gaskets, timing chains/belts on transverse engines, oil pump replacements that require pan drops, blown bottom ends, and full long-block swaps all fall here. We handle these at our Kearny Mesa shop because they need a lift, a hoist, a clean bench, and time you do not have in a driveway.
Why bring it to the shop instead of trying mobile?
Mobile is great for brakes, batteries, alternators, and roadside work. The van carries a portable lift and the common parts. But a head gasket job is 12 to 20 hours of work spread over 2 to 4 days with the engine partially apart on a lift. That cannot live in your driveway, exposed to weather, kids, dogs, and overnight risk. The shop solves all of that. Read more about how we split the work in our mobile vs shop guide.
What to expect on drop-off
Call ahead so Willy can plan around it. When you arrive at 7898 Ostrow St, we check the vehicle in, write down your symptoms, and get it on the lift. You get a real diagnostic, not a guess. Then a written quote before any major work starts. If you ever had a smaller issue first — like a check-engine-light diagnostic — bring those notes along.
Ready to bring it in?
Call (619) 853-3823 and tell us what the vehicle is doing. We will give you an honest read over the phone and set a drop-off time.
Major Engine Repair & Replacement Questions
The most common questions we hear about major engine repair & replacement in San Diego.
How long does an engine replacement take?
Most full engine swaps run 4 to 7 working days from drop-off to pickup, depending on parts availability and what else needs replacing while the engine is out (clutch, motor mounts, hoses). Willy gives a realistic timeline at drop-off, not a sales pitch.
Used engine, rebuilt, or new?
It depends on the vehicle and your budget. Used low-mile engines are the most common choice for older vehicles. Rebuilt or remanufactured long blocks make sense for daily drivers you plan to keep. We talk you through it honestly before ordering anything.
Is it worth fixing or should I scrap it?
We will tell you straight. If the engine repair cost is more than the vehicle is worth and the rest of the car is rough, we say so. If the body and transmission are solid, an engine job often makes sense.
Can you do this as a mobile job instead?
No. Major engine work needs a lift, an engine hoist, and a clean bench. This is exactly why we built the shop. See Mobile vs Shop for what fits each side.
What about timing chain rattle?
Common on a lot of modern engines past 100k miles. We pull the front cover on the lift, replace the chain, guides, tensioner, and water pump if it lives back there. Usually 1 to 2 days in the shop.
Related Pages
Bring It In
7898 Ostrow St, Kearny Mesa. Call Willy.