new101

My vehicle has 101k miles on it and the mechanic while doing the recent oil change informed that there is leak near the head gasket and he quoted $3000 to fix the issue which i think is ridiculous. I live in Columbia, MD area and was wondering if there is any mechanic in or near Columbia, MD that one of you know of who can do this cheaper? Any help or guidance anyone can provide is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
NK

charley95

i would check other garages in your area. 3k may be expensive but, replacing a head gasket is very labor intensive and takes quite a bit of time.

ColAngus

It might not be a head gasket, either. Go to another shop and tell them NOTHING MORE than that you've noticed a small coolant leak on your driveway. Let them diagnose it from there.

Clutchless

It may just be the famous timing chain cover oil leak, which is still really expensive to fix, but can be ignored for a long time.

http://carspecmn.com/toyota-and-lexu...nd-highlander/

SteveCraig

I wouldn't buy this part of the conversation. It's either the head gasket or it's not. $3000.00 quote deserves a definite diagnosis. As others have indicated here get another opinion, a compression test will reveal what's really up. Might also look at pressurizing the cooling system. Granted, a relatively easy fix is the head & gasket, quite a lot of time is required to get at the head. Any gasket failures I've seen were on old-school push-rod V8 engines & the failure was always between cylinders. Check your oil to confirm this is not the case. Any milky fluid in the oil ?

new101

Nothing in the oil. i'll have to take it to another shop for a second opinion i guess

Thanks
NK

Clutchless

Satellite Motors in Silver Spring is a well regarded independent Toyota/Lexus specialist shop that friends of mine who live nearby have used and recommended.

http://www.satellitemotors.com/home.html

5gears-IS

iTrader: (5)

There is NO way that the head gasket is causing a coolant leak, if true you would have a mix of coolant in your oil. Your leak is coming from somewhere else and I am willing to bet anything....

Take it somewhere else without saying anything other than hey can you diagnose a coolant leak?
I bet you its not a head gasket!

F250

Unfortunately, depending upon the path of failure in the gasket, head gaskets can certainly leak without creating either the infamous milkshake in the oil sump OR without getting oily residue in the radiator. My son's '06 Outback went through the Subaru Head Gasket fiasco and his leak began by simply leaking coolant outside of the motor with neither of the other two symptoms just mentioned. In speaking with multiple Subaru shops who do these head gasket repairs on a regular basis, the common report I received was that the leak shows up differently, depending on, like I said, where the path of failure was initiated. Granted, my son's engine is a 4-cylinder boxer configuration and NOT a Toyota/Lexus V6, but the principle still holds true because I've seen other engine mount gaskets on other systems (external oil coolers, water pumps, etc.) show leaks in a wide variety of manners. It all depends on where the weakest link is in the interface.

Aside from that, I agree that a reliable second evaluation is in necessary for the OP.

SteveCraig

Have a look here. Gasket is leaking into the valley instead of between cylinders.
http://carspecmn.com/toyota-and-lexu...d-gasket-leak/

new101

Yes, i have seen this link. Its disturbing how much its going to cost. I havent had a chance to get a second opinion yet. The guy who diagnosed mentioned the leak is very minor now, but to keep an eye.

Thanks,
NK