You need your head examined! (archive)

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I guess it really depends on whether you want to buy a new car or not.. If you do, tell her the car is shot, buy a new one and sell me the old one dirt cheap and I will put in a new head gasket and enjoy the car. LOL! but seriously, don't panic. With the miles you have on your car, you were due for a new head gasket anyway. It is not all that difficult a job, but it depends on your mechanical ability and if you want to attempt doing it your self. The procedure is described in Bentleys if you have that book. Or you can get your local mechanic to do it for you ($$$). Around here I have heard everything from $600 to R/R the head and have it checked at the machine shop (installed with a new gasket), to almost $3000 TO install a rebuilt head (Won't be going back there unless I just NEED to lose money fast!). But unless you have valve problems, worn valve guides, etc, probably just a new head gasekt will fix you up. Be sure to have your head checked for trueness (and leveled if necessary) at the machine shop before reinstalling. I am afraid that if your car overheated, and then you noticed a head gasket leak, that you may have a slight warpage of your head from the heat.

But, its not surprising. Many people have to replace head gaskets in these motors around 150-170K Some get lucky and go further. The bottom end of the motor though is typically good to around 300k or more if everytrhing else is mantained. One fellow on here a few days ago has 400k on his big six. I am sure he is not the record holder either!

Besides, $600 is what, 1-2 months payment on a new car? And you are good for another 150k? Even at twice that it may still be worth repairing.

By the way, I would NEVER put radiator "stop leak" in my motor unless I had to to get home in a dire emergency. It can clog up things that you need to stay open. Just my opinion.

My 92 735 168,000 miles lost a fan belt over heated for short time . Three weeks later developed antifreeze leak from head gasket just above engine block plug. I put in some raditor sealant. The leak stoped for short time and now I get intermittant white exhaust smoke. I suspect is leaking into the engine. What should I do? ignore? replace head gasket and do valve job, or get a new engine? My wife wants a new car? Any sugesstions? Is a head gasket hard to replace?
Thank you

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