The Scoop.... 1996 Ford Thunderbird 3.8L V6 100,000 on the engine , been told it may need a new head gasket. I went to get estimates from 4 auto shops, 3 of the 4 had no problem doing a head gasket, the 4th shop said they refused to do it since they said the bottom half of the engine would probably fail within about 10,000 miles, suggesting a new engine would be their approach. Obviously a new engine is way more expensive, but is it true that the bottom half the engine is doomed for failure within 10,000 miles ? I certainly don't want to spend 1200 on heads and gaskets for the engine to blow within 10,000 miles.
2007-03-21 23:19:08 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The head gasket if anything is just leaking, so not white smoke barreling out the back, and the engine is not rough, seems to have full power. but I do get readings from the computer of "random misfire" along with bad gas mileage and overheating.
2007-03-22 00:32:00 · update #1
you might want to check with your local For dealership to see if there was a recall on your perticular car. I remember doing a lot of head gasket jobs in the 90's. If not, then ask them about a reman. eng. .It usually cost about the same for the eng.But you willstill need someone to install it .3-500$ is just rough est. .Make sure to replace the acc. w/ new ones (water pump, belts,hoses)and get the radiator checked!!
2007-03-22 18:56:14 · answer #1 · answered by howard s 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Okay.. do you NEED new heads? Or did you just blow a head gasket. If the latter, I would definitely go for the head gasket repair.
On the other hand, engine replacement isn't ask expensive as you think. I would call around, even out of state and get some ball park pricing. If you secure your own new or refurbished engine you could probably pay a shop to put it in for you. I just had a friend order a transmission from Vegas and she lives in Southern California because it was going to be $400 cheaper. :)
2007-03-21 23:33:09 · answer #2 · answered by Nemesista 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I checked your question. If you've changed the oil regularly during the car's history, it should be fine. This is assuming that not a lot of water got into the engine.
You know the gasket is blown or leaking, so tear it down and take the heads to a machine ship and have the heads milled to true them up and have the shop magnaflux the heads for cracks, and finally as a treat to yourself have them put a three angle valve grind on the valves and check the valve spring tension. Get the heads back and torque the head bolts when you put it back together. Good luck.
2007-03-22 02:07:04 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well it honestly all depends on what happened, if your car simply overheated, you shut it off and it needs head gaskets then no your bottom end is probably fine. However if you failed to shut the engine off and let the coolant fill up the crank case then you more thank likey will at least spin a bearing in the near future.
2007-03-21 23:27:42 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you mechanically inclined,,try it yourself,,
80.00$ too100.00$ to get the heads planed,,200.00$ for
gaskets and parts,,and your back in business,,,If you have the time,,,Do you have a friend that knows engines?
As far as the garage telling you that engine failure is going to occur within 10,000 miles Thats possible,,, but not likely!
There probably lookin to make more money for the whole engine replacement,,,
2007-03-21 23:36:48 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Ford....FAIL???? NEVER!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHA,YOU DRIVE A FORD.I would burn it and get insurance money.Wait,it most likely will catch on fire on it's own!!!!!
All fun aside,you're better off getting a new engine as most of the crappy 3.8s seem to fall apart once one thing goes wrong.Actually a decent engine,just poor design.
There is a user on here'"Fordman" who would know the best.
2007-03-21 23:29:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋