Car solution?

Question

My car (98 Toyota Corolla VE) makes a weird noise when speeding from 0-30mph and takes engine oil every twice a week. I am tired to spending money on engine oil all the time...and the noise....It just burns an oil...so i went to mechanics to diagnose my engine. They told me there's a problem with a engine gasket or head cover gasket....i saw smoke was coming out when he pressed the accelerator too much....!
He gave me an estimation of $780 with included $650+ Tax labor charge and remaining charge for replace of gasket. The time for maintenance is 10 to 12 hrs. They were telling me that its a hectic process to take out the gasket and make it dry....!!

I need help from somebody who's expert in car maintenance. I want to know if that's true about the labor charge....and all or he's trying to fool me?

I have to change valve cover and head gasket as said by the mechanics. Well, i never noticed the smoke coming out from engine compartment untill he pressed a gas heavily to check my engine.... Although, i know that it omits white gas from exhaust pipe when i start in the morning. There is no leakage around, but the oil is used a lot!
Thank you for the response!

Answer 1

Toyota's are a little pricey to repair. If you feel that you're car is otherwise in good condition, that may not be such a bad investment. Consider the car's value now, in its present state, not much. Now consider the cost of a replacement. What are you gonna find for $800.00. Sometimes the car is worth much more to you than to someone else. Then there's the excitement of owning a new car... That's a whole nother subject.

Answer 2

Replacing a head gasket means taking apart the top half of the engine, and probably removing all accessories. So yeah, it's expensive. If you were to do it yourself, it would take a knowledgeable amateur all weekend, and someone like you, learning EVERYTHING as they go, probably all week.

That 780 was all included? Because if it's 780 PLUS labor, that's a rip.

If you're only getting charged 780 for a new head gasket, though, you're getting a deal. (or for the replacement, rather...the gasket itself is cheap)

Anyhow, check your oil. If it looks clean, the same as when you put it in, there's a good chance it isn't your head gasket.

If there's no oil in your engine coolant, that's also a ....not a good sign, but a different bad sign.

What color is the smoke coming out the back? (I HOPE it's coming out the exhaust, not the engine compartment) If it's white, yeah, it's probably the head gasket. If it's blue or black, your piston rings/seals are probably shot.

Either way, the engine gets taken apart.


This is an unusual thing to happen to a Corolla. Were you keeping up on all maintenance? This SOUNDS like a neglect issue, either with you or a previous owner.

Answer 3

After reading,and re-reading your discription of the problem, I'm under the impression that you are not talking about the "head gasket" as some here have indicated. If by chance you are talking about the "valve cover" gasket, then that price is too high. A valve cover gasket would not cause burning of oil, but would instead, leak oil.
If the car is burning oil, a head gasket would hardly solve the problem, as there is other reasons involved here, such as bad or worn valve guides, worn or broken piston rings, and possible cracked or broken piston.
When you say "head cover gasket", I believe you might mean valve cover gasket, right?
When you say you saw smoke coming out, coming out from where, exhaust pipe, or from the engine compartment?

Answer 4

Sounds about right for a head gasket but you may want to get some second opinions anyway. Try calling or going to some other local shops. This site may have some recommended shops in your area...just plug in your zip code.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/mechx/

Answer 5

Ur car is a piece of $hit n u need to get a new one