I just replaced the oil yesterday and the coolant, drove the car around the block and when I got back to the house white smoke was coming outof the exhaust, the car also died and was sluggish to start. Today It wont start and the oil looks like chocolate milk. Some people say I need a new head gasket, If I do, could anyone direct me on how to go about fixing it? And anything else to direct me from avoiding it in the future. Thanks
2007-02-09 11:06:25 · 8 answers · asked by Julie K 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ GMC
I agree with the posts above. Changing a head gasket is alot of work. It involves taking the whole top part of the engine apart. When you finally do get the head off, it's always a good idea to get the head machined to ensure a level fit of the new gasket (cannot FIX a blown head gasket) nor would you want to go through all that work to put on a used part that will last you a couple months if you're lucky. Head bolts need to be tighted to a certain torque, and overtightening or undertightening will lead to further problems. Also, now that you have coolant inside the oil, it would be ideal to have the engine flushed to get rid of any remaining coolant. All of this work hardly seems worth it for a 90 olds cutlass. Take the advice of others, and send it to the bone yard, it's not worth fixing. Sorry
2007-02-09 11:28:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a difference. A cracked head is actually cracked metal. A blown head gasket is just the gasket material, but the head is still OK. I'd be careful with those repair kits you're talking about. They can seal up things that aren't supposed to be. But if you're thinking of replacing the motor anyway, then it's worth a shot.
2016-05-24 18:22:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
agreeing with previous answer . get a repair manual . it will take you 3-4 days for the inexperienced or novice . an experienced mechanic will take 4-8 hours which will be about 500 bucks .when you are finished doing the job by your self ,and there is a problem what will you do . For instance what caused the gasket to blow is age ,overheating.would you know if the head is warped think about all your answers and decide for your self
2007-02-13 07:27:34 · answer #3 · answered by lake d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well we can't tell you how to do that here,it would take too long.Get a chiltons repair manual.Keep in mind your head is probably either warped or cracked and you will need to fix or replace it.Alot of work on that old car--probably time for the junkyard.Good luck!
2007-02-09 11:10:01 · answer #4 · answered by JACK OF TRADES 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't have any mechanical knowledge don't even attempt to fix it. Now when you replaced coolant how did you fill up the coolant are you sure you put enough in. otherwise it will cost you probably 500 bucks to get your head gasket replaced.
2007-02-09 11:40:46 · answer #5 · answered by schampoo2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't bother. Repairs will cost more than the car is worth. Take the money you were going to spend on repairs and get another car.
2007-02-09 11:29:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to carmax, and sell it... not worth fixing, take the money you get for the car and get yourself a used car of similar value, better way to spend the money.
2007-02-09 11:14:28 · answer #7 · answered by dazemanus 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If youre engine is a 2.3d quad 4 it probaly has a cracked head. Unless youre very experinced dont try to do this yourself.
2007-02-09 11:21:15 · answer #8 · answered by haha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋