Need a replacement Hyundai i30 engine? Hyun Engines supplies a reconditioned Hyundai i30 engine (G4NB 1.8L, 2012-2016; G4NC and 1.6 turbo also stocked) with a 12-month warranty, tested before dispatch, delivered Australia-wide or fitted in Dandenong. Get a quote or call 03 9630 0960.
The short answer: in Melbourne, a reconditioned Hyundai i30 engine supplied and fitted usually costs between $4,500 and $6,500 for the common 1.8 and 2.0 litre petrols, and a little more for the 1.6 turbo. The spread comes from which engine you have, what condition the ancillaries are in, and whether the failure that killed the old engine also took something else with it. This guide breaks the cost down engine by engine so you know what a fair quote looks like before you ring anyone.
First, which i30 engine do you have?
The i30 has run six different engines in Australia since 2007, and the price depends heavily on which one is under the bonnet:
- i30 FD (2007-2012): 2.0 litre G4GC petrol, or 1.6 CRDi diesel
- i30 GD (2012-2017): 1.8 litre G4NB petrol (most common), 1.6 GDI G4FD, or 1.6 CRDi diesel
- i30 PD (2017-2023): 2.0 litre G4NC GDI petrol (Active, Elite, Premium), 1.6 turbo G4FJ (SR and N Line), 1.6 CRDi diesel, or the 2.0 turbo G4KH in the i30 N
The code is stamped on the block and printed on the compliance plate. Our engine codes guide shows exactly where to look. Get this right before you compare quotes, because a G4NB and a G4NC are different engines despite both living in an i30.
Reconditioned i30 engine cost by engine (supplied and fitted)
These are typical all-in figures for a reconditioned engine from our Dandenong workshop, including removal of the old engine, transfer of ancillaries, fitting, fluids and a road test. Every job is quoted against the VIN, so treat these as the realistic range rather than a fixed price.
| Engine | Fitted in | Typical supplied & fitted |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 G4NB MPI | i30 GD 2012-2017 | $4,500 – $5,800 |
| 2.0 G4NC GDI | i30 PD 2017 on | $4,800 – $6,200 |
| 1.6 turbo G4FJ | i30 SR / N Line | $6,000 – $7,500 |
| 2.0 G4GC | i30 FD 2007-2012 | $4,500 – $5,500 |
Engine-only prices, if your own mechanic is fitting it, are on the product pages: i30 G4NB 1.8 engine, i30 G4NC 2.0 GDI engine (2017 on) and i30 turbo G4FJ 1.6 engine. Reconditioned Hyundai engines start from $4,200 supplied.
What pushes the price up
Four things account for nearly every quote that comes in above the ranges in the table:
- Collateral damage. An engine that ran dry or overheated often takes the radiator, thermostat, water pump or catalytic converter with it. Metal from a failed bearing can contaminate the oil cooler and, on the turbo, the turbo itself. These get found during the strip-down and quoted separately.
- Worn ancillaries. The alternator, starter, clutch (manual cars), engine mounts and belts all come across from the old engine. If they are due anyway, doing them while the engine is out saves labour later.
- The turbo engine. The G4FJ costs more to recondition because of the turbocharger, the direct-injection hardware and tighter tolerances, and a failed turbo is a common add-on. Our G4FJ engine problems guide explains why.
- Core condition. Reconditioned pricing assumes your old engine comes back to us as a core. A block with a hole in it or a snapped crank may attract a core charge.
What brings it down
- Catching it early. An i30 with a ticking G4NB and clean oil is a very different job from one that has thrown a rod. Our guide on driving with a knocking engine is blunt about why.
- A complete, running-when-removed car. A car that arrives on a tow truck with parts in boxes takes longer to fit.
- Petrol over turbo. If you have the choice at purchase time, the non-turbo engines are cheaper to keep alive.
Reconditioned, second-hand or new?
You have three ways to put an engine in an i30, and each suits a different situation. A second-hand engine from a wrecker is the cheapest to buy but arrives with whatever wear and history it has, usually with a short warranty at best. A brand-new engine gives you a factory-fresh unit at the top of the price scale, which can make sense on a late, low-kilometre car. A reconditioned engine sits between the two: the block and head are machined, the wear parts are replaced, and it carries a 12-month warranty at a price that suits the value of most i30s on the road. Our guides on reconditioned vs second-hand engines and new vs rebuilt engines weigh it up in detail.
Is the car worth it?
A 2014 i30 in good condition is worth a lot more than the cost of an engine, and a 2019 PD is worth several times that. The engine is rarely the reason not to fix an i30. The exceptions are a car with rust, a failed automatic transmission as well, or serious accident history. If the rest of the car is sound, an engine replacement typically returns the car to daily service for a fraction of the cost of replacing it. If you are weighing it up, our guide to when a Hyundai engine needs replacing lists the signs that it has gone past repair.
How long does it take?
Fitting a reconditioned engine to an i30 normally takes two to three days once the engine is on the bench. If we need to recondition your own engine rather than supply an exchange unit, add the machining time. Our guide on how long an engine replacement takes covers what happens on each day.
Why i30 engines fail in the first place
The 1.8 and 2.0 Nu engines are known for oil consumption that, if unchecked, leads to bearing and ring damage; the details are in our Nu engine problems guide and our i30 oil consumption fix. The 1.6 turbo adds carbon build-up and turbo wear. The broader picture is in Hyundai i30 engine problems explained. Whatever the cause, we address it before the replacement goes in so the new engine does not inherit it.
Get a same-day price
Call (03) 9630 0960 with your rego or VIN, or send us an enquiry. We will confirm which engine you have, tell you what is in stock, and quote supply and fit at our Dandenong workshop. Everything we do for i30 owners, from timing chains to full engine supply and fit, is covered on our engine supply and fit page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is an i30 engine on its own?
Reconditioned i30 engines are listed from $4,200 on our shop, with the 1.6 turbo higher. Fitting adds labour, fluids and any ancillaries found to be worn.
Does a replacement engine come with a warranty?
Yes. Our reconditioned engines carry a 12-month warranty, and the written terms come with your invoice.
Can I supply my own engine for you to fit?
We can discuss it, but we cannot warrant an engine we did not build. In most cases a supply-and-fit job costs little more and gives you one point of responsibility if anything goes wrong.
Will a replacement engine affect the car’s resale value?
A documented reconditioned engine with a warranty is a selling point rather than a problem on a car this age. Our guide on buying a car with a replaced engine explains what buyers look for.
Related guide: what a reconditioned engine warranty covers