Two states from home, my 2000 Kia with 106,000 miles overheated and stalled. The local auto shop says gas is getting into the water system -- a blown head gasket or a cracked block. They want $3000 to replace the engine. The loan company wants $4000 to release the title so I can sell it. I don't have either amount. I don't have equity in a house (or anything else) to borrow against. Other than a voluntary surrender, which makes me default on the car loan and pay tons of penalties, plus ruins my credit, I'm out of ideas. The loan company won't budge. Any wise advice????
2007-03-09 12:23:03 · 7 answers · asked by Herbie 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
I don't know if you're still stranded with the car, have the car at home, or you're home and the car is there. That could factor in to your decision and any suggestions. My first suggestion is simple......" MOM, DAD....HELP!!!" What I'd do with the car is:
1 Call around and see if someone can locate a running salvage engine to install. That would probably be around $1000-1500.
2 Get the car home, keep paying on it until you can truly afford to fix it and ride the bus
3(variation on #2) Get the car home, buy a cheapo that runs and keep paying on the car until you can afford to get it fixed.
4 Sleep with the best mechanic you can find and have him pull the head to see if it's just a gasket. If so, you'll be out 100 dollars or so in parts and maybe have a good time too!
It's also possible it's a cracked head which could be replaced. It would be somewhat expensive, but not even close to $3000. The problem you're going to have is that if you have a shop tear into the engine, you'll owe them for the tear down time regardless if they fix it or not.
Whatever you do, try your best to not have this issue effect your good credit.
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you. Good Luck!!
2007-03-09 12:49:47 · answer #1 · answered by nick_nunya2003 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well looks like you are up the creek. One of those things in life. If you do not have the money. Now next time, I bet you will find that overheating on small cars you need to pull over RIGHT AWAY.
But what you might do for a cheap fix. I cracked my head gasket and this worked believe it or not. Anyway, go to Auto Zone or other parts house and get some K&W Block Seal. It comes in a shape of a juice can. And not any other product either. This stuff costs a little more but the sucker works.
If you can make sure all your antifreeze is out or at least drain the radiator out good. Then follow the instructions on the can.
And remember you get what you pay for so if you are serious buy this and not the cheap stuff. You see with this stuff, if will CLOG faster than the cheap stuff. FYI, It sealed my head gasket for about 3 years on my van till I got my ford explorer.
Here is the URL for instructions on it. Remember the trick is to drain ALL your antifreeze if you can. After you fix it, then you should go to a car dealer and maybe buy a older car. Less payments and then at least you know you do not have to drive a vehicle with a blown head. LOL Go get a 96 Ford Explorer SUV. Those small car engines will kill you.
http://www.crcindustries.com/files/Block%20Seal%20installation.PDF
2007-03-09 12:39:13 · answer #2 · answered by Big C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently these people you took it to are trying to rip you off. You need to go and get another opinion, and have it hooked up to a tester if the check engine light is on. If its not on, they can't check it. Has anyone checked the thermostat on it??To see if thats why it overheated?blown head or cracked block will not put gas in the water, it might put water in the oil though.Take it to someone else dear!!! I work ina garage and never would we charge that much to put a motor in. The most would be $900.00, with no other problems occuring.
2007-03-09 12:52:24 · answer #3 · answered by mstow_n_repo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That price is way out of line.
GET HELP from family or friends to get the car towed home, maybe a UHaul with the 2 wheel trailer for towing a car.
I think the mechanic means exhaust gas getting into the cooling system, not gasoline.
2007-03-09 14:03:30 · answer #4 · answered by baron_von_party 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A boyfriend, brother, father, etc. or a mechanic-savvy lady can replace the head gasket for less than $100 and your car will probably be fine.
It takes alot of heat (or cold) to crack a block. That's probably not your problem.
2007-03-09 12:30:31 · answer #5 · answered by bobo383 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would get someone nearby to give you a second oppinion. A blown head gasket is more likley and the cost is not $3,000
I'd leave the car set, do some searching and get some proces for the repair.
2007-03-09 13:15:29 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i cannot imagine owing 4000 on a 2000 year vehicle...a bad head gasket does not leak gas into the system.....a cracked block will....get another opinion...or let it go back to the finance compancy...you are screwed both ways you go...go luck lady
2007-03-09 12:32:52 · answer #7 · answered by Michael K 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋