The head gasket on my 1997 Oldsmobile 88 is going. Does anyone know any tricks to give me a few extra months out of the car? I don't have $900 to fix it and I cannot get a new car? Any suggestions?PLEASE HELP!!!!!!
2007-01-01 05:10:39 · 5 answers · asked by Jenn 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ GMC
Take it from someone that is going through what you are now.
Fix it now or pay more later. if it is a head gasket and you put aftermarket sealants in there, not only will they not work but they will clog everything like the radiator, heater core, etc.. so far doing it myself on a ford 4.0l I've spent around $100.00 and 4 hrs. The vehicle is together, just need to finish the fluid changes.
2007-01-01 13:33:59 · answer #1 · answered by Wabbit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's the deal.
Head gaskets leak several ways, coolant into the cylinder, coolant into the oil pan, pressure into the cooling system from the cylinders ( i.e., alumaseal won't help that) . Of which we dont know whcih way yours is leaking with the info you have given.
When an engine is running it produces both vacuum (14 - 17 inchs) and pressure (100 plus pounds ) in the combustion cylinders. Meaning that the area that had failed sometimes is affected by both and cannot be easliy or affectively repaired without disassembly.
If it is a mild leak of coolant into the oil than maybe alumaseal will help, also checking your oil to see if it is looking milky will give you and idea of the extent of the failure. Milky means coolant in oil.
The problem with oil being contaminated by antifreeze is the harmful byproducts of these two together. It can eat the bearings in the engine, cause a high friction situation for other parts, etc.
So, if they want $900 for the gasket reapir, wonder how much they would charge to install a reman engine ($750 - 1500 on ebay for most engines) plus their labor.
Meaning the cost difference isnt that great, and maybe if you keep a watch on the engines tempatures, dont overheat it, made sure you were never low on antifreeze OR engine oil and babied it you might get the time you need out of it, worst case scenario you are buying a reman engine and have to spend another $300 to 1000 more to have it installed..
Sorry, but thats the facts.
2007-01-01 14:56:09 · answer #2 · answered by AlwaysLearning 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alumiseal,autoparts houses have it as well as some other brands if its just a tiny coolant leak in the head gasket you might get lucky for a few months Happy New Year
2007-01-01 13:28:41 · answer #3 · answered by vincent c 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
how do you know it's a head gasket. these olds are almost bulletproof in the head gasket area. is it leaking coolant externally? if yes, look at the intake gasket/plenum area. these are notorious for leakage around the rear (or left side) of the intake area.
2007-01-01 13:18:26 · answer #4 · answered by gearhead_35k 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
well if the gasket goes and the cylinder wall gets damaged at the point of failure ya won't have to worry anymore ,,it must be fixed there are no extentions
2007-01-01 13:19:56 · answer #5 · answered by goat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋