Quote:
Originally Posted by leathermang
I have never seen a head gasket leak get fixed by any method other than taking the head off and putting a nice new one on.
You ARE taking a chance that the leak will develop to where it is putting water into the crankcase... and since water is heavier than oil and the oil pickup is at the bottom...that gets bad FAST...
It is your car... we don't know the other parts of the puzzle... do you have another car to use while you do the head gasket job ? Have the spare money to do it now ? Are you a risk taker ? Can you afford to go get a used engine out of a salvage yard on NO notice .. like stranded somewhere and have to have it towed home ?
We can suggest all sorts of things.. but we don't have any money on the line...
If you did your homework, had all the parts ready, and nothing went wrong ...you could probably do the head gasket in a weekend... but you would have to have your knowledge base and special tools lined up before you start.... and do it indoors so mother nature does not mess with you...
Now, on the other hand, if you are the type who would want to do a valve job while you have it off... that too is good planning...
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Thanks for the thoughts. This is pretty much what I was thinking too but kind of wanted to put it off due to the labor involved. My main concern is water in the crankcase which I want to avoid at all costs. The question is how long can I put it off --- a gamble at best.
I do have a spare car so down time isn't a problem. I also have the tools (except for engine crane to be acquired at harbor freight) and a garage to pull it off in a weekend. Parts cost will be less than $100. I guess I should do it but I have sooo many other projects lined up already (like a/c on two of my cars, new suspension and rear tires on my other car). Luckily I drive this car only about 6,000 miles per year so I have some time to spare.
Scott
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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)
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