$800 to fix the head gasket

Mad Steady Eddie · #1 12-29-2006, 06:56 PM

that's very sad

'Chair · #2 12-29-2006, 07:07 PM

yes sad. def not a diy. sorry to hear.

Mad Steady Eddie · #3 12-29-2006, 07:19 PM

Once a headgasket is fixed, does the car run just as good as it used to, or, should we just up and get another car?

d10 · #4 12-29-2006, 08:38 PM

That's rediculously expensive.

'Chair · #5 12-29-2006, 11:05 PM

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That's rediculously expensive.

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from what I've read, it doesn't seem too outrageous.

'Chair · #6 12-29-2006, 11:06 PM

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Once a headgasket is fixed, does the car run just as good as it used to, or, should we just up and get another car?

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doubful, but I think it depends on why its being replaced and how much damage if any was done before you replace it.

Mad Steady Eddie · #7 12-30-2006, 12:30 AM

that $800 quote was given to me by a mechanic in a shop; when I called the dealer they gave me a quote starting off at $1200 all the way up possibly to $1700.

Ray Zee · #8 12-30-2006, 03:53 AM

800 can be okay as there is alot of stuff to deal with during the fix. if you got a bunch of miles you may want to have the valves adjusted while its open. and other maintenence items. but if you did overheat the engine it isnt going to last very long.

Kmon · #9 12-30-2006, 04:41 AM

most people would be happy to have a bhg (blown head gasket) repaired for under a K.

What's the car, and why are u replacing it. Oil in coolant, overheating. What car is it. Give us some info.

Ricky_Bobby · #10 12-30-2006, 01:22 PM

If the engine was not overheated excessively then it should be ok. A lot of heat can warp the head and damage valves and rings. Also, if a lot of water got into the oil it could have damaged bearings and other internal parts. My parent's chevy pickup blew a head gasket and the dealership wouldn't change the head gasket. The guy said it probably ran too long with water in the crankcase and damaged the motor. He quoted them about 3k for a rebuilt motor so dad told me if I bought the parts and did the labor to fix the head gasket and if it ran I could have the truck (95 Z-71 177k miles). I did the work and its been running just fine for 6000 miles now.

FWIW you could do the work yourself for about 50-100 dollars in parts, but 800 sounds very reasonable to me.