So I think I have a blown head gasket, at least thats what my mechanic thinks. I'm thinking about just getting a gasket kit and leaving it at that. I mean obviously it would be a great time to just get a crate engine or something, but since I'm getting married in 4 months, don't really have any extra cash. The main goal is just to have it be as reliable as it was when it was my daily driver.

Any thoughts on just putting a gasket kit on it? Or is there some other things that I really should do while I have the engine out??

Thanks

 

Theres times when your mechanic (or any mechanic) goes to the assumption of a head gasket. Worst case scenario, your heads might be bad...what is his justification on the head gasket?

 

I guess I should start with the symptoms. The car has been sitting for long periods of time, but never gave me any problems. Then last year it started running really rough and even going so far as stalling out and not starting when hot. My mechanic tested the fuel injectors which turned out to be bad so I replaced those and still had the same problem. So I guess thats how he got to the "blown head gasket" issue. The car still starts fine when cold and I can take it around the block without a problem, but once it heats up then the issues start.

 

Did he check the thermostat at all?

 

The thermostat is fine, replaced recently. The car doesn't overheat at all. The problem is that when it is at running temp, it doesn't want to start and that if it does start it will stall out if I don't ride the crap out of the clutch to get it moving. I'm pretty confident that there is an eninge problem here, I'm just hoping its nothing more than a blown gasket.

 

I guess my main concern is can I get away with just putting in a new gasket kit or should I really suck it up and put a few hundred dollars into the engine, and if so what would be most cost effective?

 

could be as simple as a full tune up
when was the last time you changed plugs, wires, cap rotor and checked the timing?
do you have any water in the oil or smoke out the exhaust?
did you do a compression check ?
and to answer your first question with a good gasket kit you should be fine but I would have the heads checked for cracks and straight
also while you have it apart you should do your valve stem seals.

 

I guess it has been a couple of years since I did a full tune up. I kind of feel like the time and energy would be wasted though. The motor has about 120k miles on it, and it definetly doesn't have the pep that it used too. I guess a compression test would be the best thing to do first? I'm just don't feel like spending the time or money replacing parts when there is an underlying engine problem that is the major issue. Not that I know that for sure, but that is the feeling that I have. So I guess again the question is how do I pinpoint what the problem is without just replacing parts till I am out of options?

 

You should have your ignition module tested. It's free at stores like Autozone. Have them test it several times.

 

Nothing you said would make me think head gasket. More likely the mechanic just doesn't want to deal with your old car. Has anyone checked the compression? Are you losing coolant? If not, then a bunch of other things are more likely.

 

Haven't tested the compression yet, not really looking forward to doing that since I know what a PITA it is just to change the spark plugs. Not loosing coolant and not burning oil. Would a blown intake manifold gasket cause these kind of problems? Its been so long since I had my mechanic take a look at it maybe I forgot what he said. I've been taking my car to the same guys for 12 years, so I doubt they are just blowing me off, they have always taken good care of me and my vehicles.