I have an old engine hoist that was lying around the backyard for a while, and I suspect that the hydraulic mechanism is broken - would it be expensive to buy a new one and replace just that part?

 

can i ask why your thinkin its broken? i aint accusin you of bein an idiot. but we had one that wouldnt go down and it turned out it was because the arm that extends out for more reach was pushed back too far and that prevented it from going down. easy fix btw

 

They're simple enough things that you could probasbly easily fix anything that might be wrong with it.

 

if its the hydraulic ram, they sell replacement ones...

 

It probably doesn't need a replacement ram, just a set of seals.