Head Gasket leaking
Head Gasket leaking
Just found out that my 98 ES300 has a small head gasket leak basically only when the car is cold (which is only going to get worse). Leaking in combustion chamber when cold and not when hot. The car has 246K on it and to fix it- it’s worth more than the car. I’m on the fence to spending money on this, but the interior is in great shape the the body is 80% good besides the rear quarter panels. I don’t have the space to do the job myself.
Should I bite the bullet and pay for the job?
Appreciate any feedback- thanks
Should I bite the bullet and pay for the job?
Appreciate any feedback- thanks
Last edited by whooodat; Dec 22, 2017 at 09:28 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 337
Likes: 50
From: NY
IMHO- If it was my car I would not replace the HG. Given the mileage and age the economics don't add up. I am not a fan of "mechanics in a bottle", but in this case I would try BlueDevil head gasket sealant. Or just continue driving it until it stops!
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 368
Likes: 39
From: CA
Is it the front bank? Somewhat easier to do than the rear.
And yeah, I wouldn't pay for it. If you want to DIY, it will probably run for a helluva long time after...but then again, should probably do both banks at the same time.
And yeah, I wouldn't pay for it. If you want to DIY, it will probably run for a helluva long time after...but then again, should probably do both banks at the same time.
nsghtbrwry- When they check the coolant going into the combustion chamber I believed they did the test on the front (easiest), but to find out 100% probably have to take the heads off they its Pandora's box from there (do the heads need to be resurfaced.. then more $$$$).
Yeah if I did the job power steering high pressure hose would get replaced and along with TB and WP since there already have everything apart. The labor time kills the whole deal for me!
How much do I sell my HG car for?
Yeah if I did the job power steering high pressure hose would get replaced and along with TB and WP since there already have everything apart. The labor time kills the whole deal for me!
How much do I sell my HG car for?
HomerJay- I appreicate your response, that's what I was thinking of not fixing it because of the huge labor cost.
I had a buddy put BD in a car that had a HG leak and the thing last only 3 days after.
I had a buddy put BD in a car that had a HG leak and the thing last only 3 days after.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 368
Likes: 39
From: CA
nsghtbrwry- When they check the coolant going into the combustion chamber I believed they did the test on the front (easiest), but to find out 100% probably have to take the heads off they its Pandora's box from there (do the heads need to be resurfaced.. then more $$$$).
Yeah if I did the job power steering high pressure hose would get replaced and along with TB and WP since there already have everything apart. The labor time kills the whole deal for me!
How much do I sell my HG car for?
Yeah if I did the job power steering high pressure hose would get replaced and along with TB and WP since there already have everything apart. The labor time kills the whole deal for me!
How much do I sell my HG car for?
It may not get worse quickly, or it may start to eat coolant like there's no tomorrow...tomorrow. Yeah, maybe sell it to a wrench-savvy kid who needs a car for a few hundred, and get yourself another. These are excellent cars, after all.
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 32
From: W-NY
Just out of curiosity, in a case like this, wouldn’t a complete used engine ($700ish) be the cheapest and easiest way forward? I know you got a 5ES (congrats) and this one is sold, but just wondering for the sake of conversation
Dysfunctional Veteran
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,103
Likes: 319
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Yep. Then you know its ok, especially if lower mileage. Most used engines come with some kind of warranty.
Acarapella I could have done that and was thinking that....but:
- The labor cost of pulling the engine and dropping in the new one was going to be a heavy price to pay. If I had the space then maybe I could pull it off.
- It needed new suspension all the way around.
- The rust on the quarter panels and roof was coming back (3rd time for the quarter panels being fixed).
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 32
From: W-NY
Oh! Now it makes sense. I walked away from an Avalon that was actually a better deal than my car as it needed $0. 50,000 more likes but elderly owned with an open checkbook and receipts to prove it. The only issue was that it had a quarter sized rust spot half under the windshield. To me that was a deal breaker as I can’t fix it and wouldn’t trust someone else to
quarters SUCK. been there, done that. So I understand. My 2009 Odyssey is starting... my new approach is going to be buying a ridiculously larger-than-needed section cut from good car and weld it, Seam seal it, paint. Spray cans, nothing perfect, just better than rust. I’d love a tree to fall on that van, get her a Tahoe (or Land Cruiser with 200,000 miles lol) and call it a day.
Enjoy your 5ES. Lovely cars. Consisted trading my Avalon for one but wouldn’t have saved money so I sold and used the positive balance after loan paid to get my 3.0ES
quarters SUCK. been there, done that. So I understand. My 2009 Odyssey is starting... my new approach is going to be buying a ridiculously larger-than-needed section cut from good car and weld it, Seam seal it, paint. Spray cans, nothing perfect, just better than rust. I’d love a tree to fall on that van, get her a Tahoe (or Land Cruiser with 200,000 miles lol) and call it a day.
Enjoy your 5ES. Lovely cars. Consisted trading my Avalon for one but wouldn’t have saved money so I sold and used the positive balance after loan paid to get my 3.0ES
Rust by the windsheild is the kiss of death, usually means that the glass could have a small crack somewhere that can absorb moisture. I just taped off mine and sanded to bare metal slapped on some Osho 605 metal treatment, then primed and painted- done.
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 600
Likes: 32
From: W-NY
This place is the salt capital of the world. We use more than any any other metropolitan area, as I understand it. Sometimes it comes out of the back of those trucks the size of a pea or even a pinto bean sometimes. Even if you are far behind, they bounce up and wack your car. If they hit the 90° bend as the roof goes under the windshield, as improbable as it may he because it’s such a small area, the paint chips and if ignored, it turns into why I walked away from that Avalon. Such a shame. In that case, I knew I couldn’t get to all of it, so it would either crack the windshield or start a hole above it. Shame
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