Car Questions: Head Gasket - Page 2

The Rick · 09-16-2006, 08:55 PM

I have a '97 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24. It's probably worth about $2000. Lately, I've been having problems with it running pretty hot and with it leaking coolant. Took it to a place and they said the head gasket was the problem and needed to be replaced. Cost? Easily $1000.

My first question is what would you say is the "magic formula" for whether or not to fix a car given the cost of the repair, how much the car is worth, etc.

Basically, before all of this I was planning on replacing the car in the next 6-12 months. The wife and I have been working our tails off trying to pay off all debt (Dave Ramsey method). That will be done in the next 6 months or so. Then, the plan was to save up some quick cash to buy a new(er) car for each of us. We make really good money now (6 figures between the two of us) so the plan was to save up about $12,000 over the course of 3 months and use it to pay cash for a car for one of us. Then, do the same thing for a second vehicle.

That was the plan anyway. Now, this has come up. If I don't fix it right away, is it safe to drive and how long can it be driven like it is as long as I continue to fill it with water (antifreeze when it gets colder)?

I did buy some liquid stuff that supposedly can maybe fix the leak that I'm going to try. However, I have to figure out how to drain the coolant and flush the system. Then, I need to let it sit for up to 24 hours according to the instructions on the liquid. I don't know when I'm going to find a time where I can do without the car for two days given our busy work schedules.

So, to summarize, my questions are:

1. Is it worth fixing knowing my financial situation and plans? I mean, it's not that I can't afford the $1000...it's more the principle.

2. How safe/good is it to drive under it's current condition as long as it has coolant in it? Even with it full of coolant, it still runs hot (never touches the red, but it's up there).

Thanks for the advice in advance. This is what I love about the Planet...

**Bwana** · 09-17-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill parcells

somehow..I never pictured you in a job like that

LOL, what did you picture me doing, branding cows?

**2112** · 09-17-2006, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

LOL, what did you picture me doing, branding cows?

NO!!!

I picture you working outside..blue collar..not a corporate big shot!!!

dtebbe · 09-17-2006, 08:45 AM

I would just go ahead and find that used car you were going to buy in a few months, finance it now on a 4 or 5 year note to keep the payments low, and keep on your debt elimination plan. Then when you have your other debts out of the way turn the elimination focus over to the car payment and double or triple up the payments or just pay it off outright. I don't think it makes much sense to put $1000 into a car worth $2000 that you wanted to get rid of in a year anyway. And the thing about aluminum heads is that if you have overheated it alrady, you will probably never be able to get it to seal right again anyway, because you just usually can't take enough material off the head to get it true again.

DT

**Bwana** · 09-17-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill parcells

NO!!!

I picture you working outside..blue collar..not a corporate big shot!!!

Well, you're half right. I have a "home office" when I'm in town and am on the road in MT, WY ND and SD about 50% of the time. I guess you could say, I work on the road and play hard outside with a lot of my free time.

OldTownChief · 09-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Check your oil dipstick for water/bubbles in the oil. If its there, change it. You can damage the engine by driving it depending on how bad it is. Brorth is right, the water is going through you engine and out the tail pipe.

**2112** · 09-17-2006, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bwana

Well, you're half right. I have a "home office" when I'm in town and am on the road in MT, WY ND and SD about 50% of the time. I guess you could say, I work on the road and play hard outside with a lot of my free time.

good for you man!!!!

so do I!!!

I would kill to live out by you!!!

it's just that my line of work entails being around snobbish pain in the asses with lots of money..I only have 9 more years until I move out of this craphole!!!

this is my company..

www.growing-concern.com

Coach · 09-17-2006, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4th and Long

Full Coverage Insurance
+ A Few Gallons Of Gasoline
+ A Match
________________________
Problem Solved.

Nice way of defrauding the insurance company.

Archie F. Swin · 09-17-2006, 09:27 AM

I dont have any advice for you one way or another, but the reason a head gasket change is so costly is because its labor intensive. What stands between the wrench and the head gasket is only every engine component and accessory under the hood save for the engine block.

I witnessed a shade tree wrench change a head gasket on a '80 Pontiac Sunbird....it wernt pretty

09-16-2006, 08:55 PM
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7551320	Car Questions: Head Gasket I have a '97 Chevrolet Cavalier Z24. It's probably worth about $2000. Lately, I've been having problems with it running pretty hot and with it leaking coolant. Took it to a place and they said the head gasket was the problem and needed to be replaced. Cost? Easily $1000. My first question is what would you say is the "magic formula" for whether or not to fix a car given the cost of the repair, how much the car is worth, etc. Basically, before all of this I was planning on replacing the car in the next 6-12 months. The wife and I have been working our tails off trying to pay off all debt (Dave Ramsey method). That will be done in the next 6 months or so. Then, the plan was to save up some quick cash to buy a new(er) car for each of us. We make really good money now (6 figures between the two of us) so the plan was to save up about $12,000 over the course of 3 months and use it to pay cash for a car for one of us. Then, do the same thing for a second vehicle. That was the plan anyway. Now, this has come up. If I don't fix it right away, is it safe to drive and how long can it be driven like it is as long as I continue to fill it with water (antifreeze when it gets colder)? I did buy some liquid stuff that supposedly can maybe fix the leak that I'm going to try. However, I have to figure out how to drain the coolant and flush the system. Then, I need to let it sit for up to 24 hours according to the instructions on the liquid. I don't know when I'm going to find a time where I can do without the car for two days given our busy work schedules. So, to summarize, my questions are: 1. Is it worth fixing knowing my financial situation and plans? I mean, it's not that I can't afford the $1000...it's more the principle. 2. How safe/good is it to drive under it's current condition as long as it has coolant in it? Even with it full of coolant, it still runs hot (never touches the red, but it's up there). Thanks for the advice in advance. This is what I love about the Planet...
Posts: 2,438

09-17-2006, 08:45 AM	#18
dtebbe 3M TA3 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: SoFlo Casino cash: $9993039	I would just go ahead and find that used car you were going to buy in a few months, finance it now on a 4 or 5 year note to keep the payments low, and keep on your debt elimination plan. Then when you have your other debts out of the way turn the elimination focus over to the car payment and double or triple up the payments or just pay it off outright. I don't think it makes much sense to put $1000 into a car worth $2000 that you wanted to get rid of in a year anyway. And the thing about aluminum heads is that if you have overheated it alrady, you will probably never be able to get it to seal right again anyway, because you just usually can't take enough material off the head to get it true again. DT
Posts: 4,305

09-17-2006, 08:54 AM	#20
OldTownChief Bobble Taco Join Date: May 2004 Casino cash: $10004900	Check your oil dipstick for water/bubbles in the oil. If its there, change it. You can damage the engine by driving it depending on how bad it is. Brorth is right, the water is going through you engine and out the tail pipe.
Posts: 5,362

09-17-2006, 09:27 AM	#23
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	I dont have any advice for you one way or another, but the reason a head gasket change is so costly is because its labor intensive. What stands between the wrench and the head gasket is only every engine component and accessory under the hood save for the engine block. I witnessed a shade tree wrench change a head gasket on a '80 Pontiac Sunbird....it wernt pretty __________________ "No Two People Will Do It The Same, You got It Down...When You Appear to Be In Pain!"
Posts: 11,800