[Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? in Automotive http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19431788 en Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:46:10 EDT Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:46:10 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19503740 anon : Smores anyone?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19503740 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 01:20:09 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19474882 CylonRed :
said by Doctor Olds See Profile :

They are way past putting a T-Stat in as the engine is now physically damaged from lack of coolant and being driven too far while overheated. There is one thing you never do is continue to drive an overheated engine as each 1/4 mile (.25 mile) just creates a ever increasing repair bill that easily could have been prevented. I've seen then driven so hot it destroys the auto transmission also.

Regards,

Doctor Olds
On our vacation some people drove a overheating SUV till it caught fire...]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19474882 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:37:28 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19474733 Doctor Olds : They are way past putting a T-Stat in as the engine is now physically damaged from lack of coolant and being driven too far while overheated. There is one thing you never do is continue to drive an overheated engine as each 1/4 mile (.25 mile) just creates a ever increasing repair bill that easily could have been prevented. I've seen then driven so hot it destroys the auto transmission also.

Regards,

Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19474733 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:13:29 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19473819 vwpirate : I would check/replace the thermostat. Without out knowing how quickly the fluid leaked out to begin with, hard to say if/how bad the leak is. If you replace it and still have overheating problems, it may get expensive as stated above. Until you do it yourself, it is hard to imagine a $30 part costing $1800 to put in.....
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No, I'm not a technician. But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19473819 Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:28:26 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19436454 Doctor Olds : Sadly it sounds like their lack of meeting the vehicles basic maintenance needs (coolant flush and fill plus cooling system diagnostic test under $60.00) has cost them a whole lot more. Perhaps their next vehicle will receive its needed attention before instead of after the fact if they learn from this very expensive mistake. :huh:

I've seen too many vehicles killed like this over the Years and it is from the I'll drive just a bit further cause I'm late or I don't want to walk let's keep going excuses being just enough to fry the engine good. :[ That and the it doesn't need looking at now as it cooled down and I topped off/refilled the overflow tank so it can't overheat again attitude.
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19436454 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:36:08 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19435254 Hall : Too coincidental.... One appears to be from the husband, the other from the wife.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19435254 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 10:30:36 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19434855 Doctor Olds :
said by Greg_Z See Profile :

Doc, Why am I having Dejavu »www2.dslreports.com/forum/r19411···nic-Woes
Yes, pretty strange to have two of the same so close together, but different. Coincidence? I've no clue...
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19434855 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:57:26 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19434836 Greg_Z : Doc, Why am I having Dejavu »www2.dslreports.com/forum/r19411···nic-Woes]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19434836 Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:51:52 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19432544 anon :
said by becdetmer See Profile :

But, why isn't the reservoir draining to the radiator. Shouldn't we fix the radiator problem first?
If the cooling system isn't airtight, as in no leaks, then coolant won't be pulled from the reservoir back into the system. Anytime a significant amount of fluid disappears, it's important to check the level in the radiator after it's cooled down.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19432544 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:26:29 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19432030 Doctor Olds : The cap must be lined up on it arrows or the overflow tank will not refill the radiator. Anytime an engine runs hot and the overflow is found empty then the radiator level needs to be checked by removing the cap when the engine is cold to visually make sure that it is not empty as well. Not checking the actual radiator level after overheating can cause it to overheat again damaging the engine, blowing the head gaskets and possibly cracking the metal in the heads due to the lack of coolant in the system. When the system is really low, there is not enough coolant to cover the temp sensor and the engine will overheat, lose power, but the dash temp gauge will not show overheating until after the damage is done.

There is not a quick fix to blown head gaskets as it is labor intensive work and requires that the heads be sent out to a machine shop for cleaning, visual inspection for surface cracks (which means new or used heads to replace the cracked heads if found to be in that condition) and/or being warped/twisted from the overheating which would require the head surface to be refinished (machined flat again on a table lathe or flat table) so that it is true and flat again or the new gaskets will not seal properly which will lead them to fail again prematurely.

Sometimes and it is only a "bandaid" at best, you can seal slight head gasket leaks with a product called Bar's Leaks. However, the directions are time consuming and must be followed exactly or it will not work for even a minute. All coolant has to be completely flushed from the engine and only plain water can be used to treat the leak areas with the sealer. Once treated and left to air dry for 6-12 hours after draining, then and only then can coolant be put back in the engine since coolant being slick prevents the sealer from working but the coolant does not affect the sealed area after it has air dried as it has changed chemistry when hardened when applied properly using water alone. Read product bottle for exact steps.

[att=1]

Bar's Leaks Head Gasket Repair - repairs blown head gaskets & Cracked heads!
»www.barsproducts.com/1100.htm

How Does Bar's Leaks Works?
»www.barsleaks.net/how2works.html

Regards,

Doctor Olds
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time?
]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19432030 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:16:37 EDT Re: [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431921 cowspotter : It depends on the design of the radiator reservoir. I believe one of the designs involves the radiator filling after the engine is shutdown through a suction action created when the car cools. I would say if you are losing fluid like that your mechanic is right. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431921 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:00:42 EDT [Help] Mechanic says I have a blown head gasket? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431788 becdetmer : My 98 Oldsmobile Silouette van overheated the other day. I pulled over. Reservoir was empty, we filled the resevoir up, it only took 1/3 gallon of fluid. Next, day same thing happened on the way to work. Policeman said radiator cap not lined up. On the way home, overheated again. Resevoir was still full.
Husband figured reservoir is not draining to the radiator, but didn't know why.
He took to mechanic. Mechanic says blown head gasket.
But, why isn't the reservoir draining to the radiator. Shouldn't we fix the radiator problem first?

Mechanic wants to replace the head gasket for $1800, We can't afford that now. Are there other options.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19431788 Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:39:27 EDT