The camshaft in your car is a rotating shaft in the engine that triggers the intake and exhaust valves on each cylinder. The camshaft is crucial to your engine’s ability to move air and fuel, so when it wears out or breaks, you’ll have to have it replaced. Unfortunately, that can end up costing you, on average as of mid-2025, between $1,000 and $2,500.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs of camshaft replacement, what impacts the cost, and how to pay for a replacement.
Key Points
• Camshaft replacement costs between $1,000 and $2,500, covering parts and labor.
• Engine noises, shaking, oil contamination, and problems starting a car can signal a failing camshaft.
• Driving with a bad camshaft increases fuel use and can damage other engine parts.
• Factors affecting cost include car type, labor, additional part replacements, and camshaft quantity.
• Refinancing or cash-out auto loans can help manage repair expenses.
How Much Does a Camshaft Replacement Cost?
On average, the cost of replacing a camshaft is currently $1,000 to $2,500, including parts and labor. Cost will vary depending on what type of vehicle you have, labor costs, and whether or not other parts need replacing, too.
For example, the camshaft position sensor may need to be replaced, as well. This helps the car’s computer monitor the position of the camshaft and control the opening and closing of the valves. You can expect to pay up to $150 for the part plus labor costs if you need to have it replaced.
If your car is under warranty or extended car warranty, the cost of replacing your camshaft may be covered. If not, you can be on the hook for a couple or a few thousand dollars, which you might have in your emergency fund or you might look into, say, an auto loan refinance that has a cash-out sum beyond the principal to finance this repair.
What Impacts the Cost of Replacing a Camshaft?
There are many factors that could influence the total cost of replacing a camshaft, including:
Car Make and Model
The make and model of your car will determine what type of engine you have and the parts that need replacing. Generally speaking, common and affordable vehicles may be less expensive to repair than luxury vehicles or cars that have high-performing engines.
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Labor
Labor is one of the biggest costs associated with camshaft replacement because the camshaft is a part of the engine. To replace the camshaft, the mechanic must take the engine apart, replace the camshaft, retime the engine, and put the engine back together. This could take six to 12 hours or more.
Fixing Other Affected Parts
A failing camshaft can affect other parts of the engine, including the cylinder block, pistons, crankshaft, cylinder head, and valves. If damage has occurred to any of these parts, you may need to replace them, as well. And if the damage is bad enough, you may need to have your entire engine replaced.
Number of Camshafts That Need Replacing
Most engines have one or two camshafts, but your car could have four. You may have to replace more than one at a time, which can increase your cost by both the number of parts and added labor. The good news is it’s less expensive to replace more than one part at a time than it is to replace them separately, since your mechanic will already have your engine taken apart.
Cost of Parts
The cost of parts can vary widely depending on the make and model of your car and the engine it uses. Parts can generally range from $200 to $800 or possibly more.
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Can a Camshaft Be Repaired?
In some cases of low wear, camshafts can be repaired. However, whether or not this is possible will depend on the specific type of engine and camshaft. You will likely need a reputable mechanic to weigh in.
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Signs of a Bad Camshaft
If your camshaft is going bad, there are signs you can be on the lookout for. If you notice any of the following happening to your vehicle, take it to the mechanic as soon as you can.
Loud Noises, Tapping, or Knocking
If your camshafts aren’t in the right position or if their bearings have failed, you’ll hear loud sounds, such as knocking and ticking coming from the engine. These sounds will sound like metal striking metal. If you ever hear sounds like this, have it checked out immediately by a trusted mechanic.
Your Cylinders Are Misfiring
Camshafts are critical to the timing of the intake and exhaust from your cylinders. If that timing becomes off as your camshaft fails, too much air and fuel may get into your cylinders, causing them to misfire. If this is happening, your engine may start shaking.
You See Metal in Your Engine Oil
If you notice bits of metal in your engine oil (say, when the oil is being changed), this can suggest that pieces of your engine are grinding against each other. This can be a symptom of a failing camshaft and should be examined by a mechanic.
Your Car Won’t Start
If your camshaft has failed completely or is out of alignment, your car won’t start. This is because your cylinders aren’t receiving enough air and fuel for them to fire. A car that fails to start could be a sign your camshaft needs to be replaced.
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Can You Replace Your Own Camshaft?
If you’re mechanically inclined and typically do your own car maintenance, you could replace your own camshaft. Know, however, that it is a big undertaking that can take most of a day or longer to complete. Also, be aware that replacing a camshaft almost always requires pulling the engine out of the car. If you are unequipped to do this, you should consider taking your car to your local trusted auto shop.
Finally, when you replace your camshaft, you’ll have to retime it. Getting this step wrong can cause serious damage to your engine — another reason you may want to leave this project up to a professional.
Can You Drive With a Bad Camshaft?
It is not advisable to drive with a bad camshaft. It can cause increased fuel consumption, lower engine performance, and misfiring cylinders. A failing camshaft can also cause other parts of your engine to fail, which can quickly make your problem more costly.
The Takeaway
Your camshaft is a critical part of your engine, allowing it to send fuel to the cylinders and remove exhaust at the right time. Replacing your car’s camshaft (and there may be more than one) can be expensive, costing up to $2,500. One option to pay for this is to refinance your auto loan. An auto loan refinance can be a way to help free up room in your budget.
If you’re seeking auto loan refinancing, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your car in minutes.
FAQ
Is it more expensive to replace a camshaft on a high-performance vehicle?
The price of camshaft replacement varies widely by type of vehicle. It often does cost more to replace parts in high-performance engines as opposed to more common, less expensive vehicles.
Can a camshaft replacement be done in one day?
A camshaft replacement typically takes six to 12 hours. Replacement could be completed in one day, but it very well could take multiple days.
Are there any risks associated with replacing a camshaft?
When a camshaft is replaced, it must be retimed correctly. Failing to do so can cause serious damage to the engine.
Can a camshaft replacement increase fuel efficiency?
Your camshaft helps ensure the right amount of fuel is entering your cylinders at the right time. If your camshaft is failing, your car may start consuming more fuel. A properly functioning camshaft can help ensure your car is as fuel efficient as possible.
How often should a camshaft be replaced?
Camshafts are not maintenance parts of your vehicle and only need to be replaced when they’re failing.
Are there any maintenance tips to prolong the life of a camshaft?
You can help prolong the life of your camshaft by avoiding rough driving and always changing your oil on time.
Photo credit: iStock/Siarhei Khaletski
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