So, my car just turned over 70k miles and I realized I was starting to lose coolant. After a bit of inspection, I realized it was a blown head gasket. I've taken the car to a local mechanic and he's taking then head off and taken a look at the cylinder heads and says they should be replaced as well, and a couple other things. His recommendation is that the entire engine be replaced with another as it'd be cheaper than trying to rebuild it.

At this point, I have no idea what I'm going to do. I like my crossfire, but I'm reluctant to put another engine in this thing, only to have it blow another head gasket.

It's a 2005 NA. I'm thinking I might be better off just trying to sell it for what I can get and buying something a bit more reliable.

Anyone have any suggestions or experience with this situation? Is this a common problem? I've seen a few threads on the matter... I've got to make a decision soon as I need a car and at this point, I feel like it's a total crap shoot.

 

Its a bunch of work but others have done it. I would tear it apart but I have had tools since I was in third grade ( the first time ).

If you dont have tools or a place and experience, it could be a pain, its up to you and your needs and funds. Parts are not expensive- couple of hundred likely. Labor to do it should be shopped around as they will vary 100% OR MORE.

Thats not worn out, depends if you have gear heads for friends and a beer budget. Beeer after the repair, FYI.

Woody

 

Yea, so, limited funds, no gear heads as friends and I don't really have the tools or place to do it myself, nor the time really, or I might would. I've found someone that will replace the engine for $600 plus the cost of the used engine from a junkyard.

I guess the real question is, is it worth it... I feel like I'm just going to run into this issue again in a couple years at best, or something else.

 

I have a driver's side cylinder head if you need it.

 

Contact Rudy, RCompart. he'll steer you straight - honest advise. Woody

 

Buy a felpro gasket kit have your mechanic put it back together. If it works,great. If it doesn't, sell it.

 

tunaglove, the cylinder heads are gone as well, so I'm looking at the gaskets, the cylinder heads and possibly other issues with the rods and more in the engine. Basically, what I'm catching is that it'd be cheaper to just replace the engine.

 

Get the oil tested for contaminants. That will give you an idea of the damage.
I had a head gasket go in a GM 3.4 L engine and it was toast in a very short time. I needed the engine to be rebuilt. All bearing surfaces were shot, the push rods looked like they had been ground by hand to a three sided shape instead of spherical shaped.

 

Yea, well, it's already been taken apart and he's confirmed that it's mostly shot. I've found an engine with around 40k miles for $1,025. And the mechanic said he'd install it for $600. Then plus whatever other parts would be needed, belts, hoses, oil, whatever else. So, I guess around $2k out the door. But I honestly don't know if that's worth it, even though that's a good price. :/

 

Ok, if the heads are bad then a motor swap seems reasonable. What happened? Did it overheat?

 

well, the motor didn't really overheat, at least not from my temp gauge. It was maybe a hair warmer than usual, but nothing major. But he said the cylinder heads are done.

I guess the real question is, how much could I get for this car in it's present state. If I can figure that out, I can better decide if this is worth it or not.

 

I take it anti freeze got into the engine. Do the engine swap if you are comfortable with the mechanic. Under 2k is a fair price. Then sell the car if want to.

 

You think I'm better off repairing it and selling it than trying to sell it before repairing?

 

Next questions, how long have you had it? Is it paid for and how much did you pay for it? As is, probably 2-4K, depending.

 

Your car should be worth between 7,500 to 9,000 with replace engine, put in engine then sale if you are not comfortable with repair sell. Was the coolant ever replaced, if not could this have led to hg failure ?

 

So, car is owned, 70k miles, it has a rebuilt title (maybe this is the reason for the blown head gasket, I don't know.). I've had it for 2 years myself, bought it at 54k miles. It's in decent shape, interior is cloth which seems to not look great over time.

 

Rebuilt title. I'd fix it and drive it until it dies.

 

oledoc2u, that was my initial thought, but now I'm hesitating dropping 2k into a car that I paid 6k for in hopes that I don't have this issue again in a year or two...

 

You didn't state why the rebuild title but if this guy does a good install there's no reason this car shouldn't run another 100k easily.

 

well, it was wrecked. I don't know the exact damage, but I do suspect that it was the front left quarter panel, b/c I can see some signs of that. So you wouldn't hesitate to buy an engine out of a junkyard with 40k miles on it and put it in your car and go from there?