Head Gasket repair - Shad tree mech step inside

clintjohns · October 30th

Details
1995 Lumina V6 - 250,000 ODO
Gave to me by my dad for zilch

Changed the water pump since it was leaking a bit and topped off with new antifreeze. Kept noticing that I had to keep topping it off about every week to 10 days. No big deal I thought since I did a quicky job on the water pump.

after some checking today I have no doubt I have a bad head gasket. Possibly the back head.

Typical head gasket problems.
- vanishing antifreeze(not in the oil btw as far as the dip stick reads)
- little rough idle at initial start up
- water in exhaust at initial start up

So, do I fix a free one owner car that I know the history of, or do I dump it and get something else.

What's a ball back price I can figure on doing head gaskets on this thing?

Jack Tar · October 31st

Things to consider, what kind of condition is the engine in other than the HG? With 250k on it you may consider doing an engine swap with a lower mileage engine. As far as investment goes, how much would you pay for the car? Anything short of that number and you are still safe to spend on it since it didn't cost you anything to get it.

Reckon · October 31st

I would look at the car's worth and compare it to what you can estimate the head gasket job will cost. The lower number will tell you which way to go.

Not sure what to give you as a ball park price on your car...haven't done one like that before.

b.a.king · November 5th

is that a 3.8. i think all of those blow head gaskets. 1st thing is TRY some of the store bought stops,and of course right now i can't think of the names. prolly a waste of time ,but hey who knows.i used to know where those thing blow at but old age has set in . seems like it's right around a head bolt on the firewall side ,drivers side2nd from last. I THINK.good luck my friend

clintjohns · November 5th

Just ordered some Dura Seal. 98% success rate. Will let you know if it works

HOSS429 · November 5th

check the torque on the head bolts before you do very much .. i recently bought a S10 truck with a " blown " head gasket .. after getting everything off and about to pull the head bolts out they were barely finger tight .. the gasket was fine ..the head was just loose .. i got rid of it anyway ..

October 30th	#1
clintjohns clintjohns ROLL TIDE Save Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,110	Head Gasket repair - Shad tree mech step inside Details 1995 Lumina V6 - 250,000 ODO Gave to me by my dad for zilch Changed the water pump since it was leaking a bit and topped off with new antifreeze. Kept noticing that I had to keep topping it off about every week to 10 days. No big deal I thought since I did a quicky job on the water pump. after some checking today I have no doubt I have a bad head gasket. Possibly the back head. Typical head gasket problems. - vanishing antifreeze(not in the oil btw as far as the dip stick reads) - little rough idle at initial start up - water in exhaust at initial start up So, do I fix a free one owner car that I know the history of, or do I dump it and get something else. What's a ball back price I can figure on doing head gaskets on this thing? __________________ "THE BRAVE MAY NOT LIVE FOREVER, BUT THE CAUTIOUS WILL NEVER LIVE AT"

October 31st	#3
Reckon Reckon so... Save Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 173	I would look at the car's worth and compare it to what you can estimate the head gasket job will cost. The lower number will tell you which way to go. Not sure what to give you as a ball park price on your car...haven't done one like that before. __________________ 2014 Misano Red Pearl Effect Audi S4 Prestige w/Black Optics Package and Sport Differential

November 5th	#5
clintjohns clintjohns ROLL TIDE Save Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 1,110	Just ordered some Dura Seal. 98% success rate. Will let you know if it works __________________ "THE BRAVE MAY NOT LIVE FOREVER, BUT THE CAUTIOUS WILL NEVER LIVE AT"

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October 31st	#2
Jack Tar Jack Tar is being a sailor Save Huntsville Car Scene Site Sponsor Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 173	Things to consider, what kind of condition is the engine in other than the HG? With 250k on it you may consider doing an engine swap with a lower mileage engine. As far as investment goes, how much would you pay for the car? Anything short of that number and you are still safe to spend on it since it didn't cost you anything to get it.

November 5th	#4
b.a.king b.a.king old,fat grumpy Save Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 792	is that a 3.8. i think all of those blow head gaskets. 1st thing is TRY some of the store bought stops,and of course right now i can't think of the names. prolly a waste of time ,but hey who knows.i used to know where those thing blow at but old age has set in . seems like it's right around a head bolt on the firewall side ,drivers side2nd from last. I THINK.good luck my friend

November 5th	#6
HOSS429 HOSS429 not getting old .getting better Save Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 3,080	check the torque on the head bolts before you do very much .. i recently bought a S10 truck with a " blown " head gasket .. after getting everything off and about to pull the head bolts out they were barely finger tight .. the gasket was fine ..the head was just loose .. i got rid of it anyway ..

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