ive been asking questions but here is another, because of the costs i am either going to do one or the other with the help of my boyfriend, should i fix the head gasket or put in a used engine, its a 99 grand am gt and has 144,000 miles on it, its a 6 cylinder. im not going to a mechanic i cant afford it and i cant take the car back i bought it for 1500 at an auction. i dont really need the car because i have access to my moms chevy cobalt whenever i want, but it is nice to have ur own vehicle ya know, its my first one and i just wanna toy around with it!!!!
2007-04-09 04:29:04 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Car Makes ➔ Pontiac
im going to buy a haynes repair manual
2007-04-09 04:30:18 · update #1
Well, sinc e the car is a second car, and you don't need it right now, my vote would be to do the head gasket.
In the long run it will cost you for the gasket kit and to have the heads re-built (it doesn't make sense to replace the gasket without doing the heads too.. but for a 6 cyl. the cost should be pretty cheap).
In the long run, I see no downside
1) You and your BF will have some fun and share some frustration. That is always a good bonding experience.
2) You will have a little pride in the car when it is done. You can point at that engine and know that you tore it down and rebuilt the top end.
3) You will save substantially over the cost of a valve job.
4) Your car will run
5) Baring a problem with the pistons or the drive train, the car should be good for another 100k or so.. (change the oil monthly - cheap insurance).
6) While it is torn down you can also look at anything else that either needs fixing or can be added (alarm, running lights, etc..)
Like I said.. no downside (as long as you have a place to store the car while you wrench on it).
one last tip.. before you start tearing it down, take it to a coin operated car wash along with 3 or 4 cans of engine degreaser. Soak it down and then clean EVERYTHING on the car (cover the distributor and injectors with plastic bags or you might have a problem starting it up). Then clean it again...
Working on a clean car is Soooooo much better then wiping oil and crud off of everything..
.
2007-04-09 04:43:05 · answer #1 · answered by ca_surveyor 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Now you know why it was at auction. What makes you think it's the head gasket? Is it getting oil in the radiator? Does it have trouble going up a hill and loose power?
Head gasket will be cheaper and probably easier to put in than a used engine. And, with a used engine, you never know what you're getting. They all have 57,000 miles on them, no matter what make or model.
If you try to put an engine in, you'll probably hav to take the hood off, a friend of mine tried that and was sitting on the windshield helping to either lower it or position it to go in. Busted the windshield with his butt.
Trying to put an engine in if you've never done it, let alone little mechanical experience will be a nightmare. You'll wind up taking it to a mechanic in pieces.
Too much can go wrong, reconnecting the electrical system could be a big headache. Then the cooling system, vacuum system, the carb and all that other stuff.
2007-04-09 11:56:43 · answer #2 · answered by rann_georgia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
. the head gasket is bad enough. if you feel that you and your boyfriend are capable of replacing the head gasket, then do it. be sure it is the head gasket, first of all. next, do not buy the gasket until you are at the point where you will install it. next, you are going to need enough tools to do the job. the reason i say to fir the head gasket, is that it will give you learning experience, and since you might give up on the job, it will be better to learn from that then learn from replacing the engine. i would not consider replacing the engine by yourselves. too big a job. the gead gasket is bad enough. another thing, if you find that replacing the head gasket is too much, then you can stop without much cost. but be warned== it will be a tough job for you, and at least you will learn a lot.
2007-04-09 04:51:23 · answer #3 · answered by oldtimer 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some words of caution...
It may be the head gasket, but it could be something else. That's one reason to take it to a qualified mechanic - proper diagnosis is often cheaper in the long run than guessing.
While the head is off, have it checked for cracks.
When putting the head back on, be sure to torque the head to proper specs and use new bolts. Use a good torque wrench.
2007-04-09 07:13:56 · answer #4 · answered by InjunRAIV 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a second car already paid for fix it.A head gasket is complicated if you have never done one before but it is a learning experience that is well worth it. Who cares about the miles. You fix it you know what is in it. So grab your boyfriend and toy away.
2007-04-09 06:23:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If that is all that is wrong with it, why not fix it your self? A new long block or a used engine is a lot of work, unless you are planning to keep the car for a long time. Or you really love the car.
2007-04-09 04:48:29 · answer #6 · answered by Albert F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the car isnt worth it to begin with. That car will continue to be nothing but trouble.
second off, a head gasket is a long, difficult job. Not for someone who just bought the haynes for it. Its a job for people that really know WTF theyre doing (which i assume you arent horribly familiar with cars, having bought a 99 grand am GT, a terrible car).
2007-04-09 04:42:37 · answer #7 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
don't do the head gasket!...too many miles on that engine...buy a NEW long block... or junk the car
2007-04-09 04:34:11 · answer #8 · answered by Robert P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋