Why not to drive with blown gasket

[rfishing]

This is why you should not drive with a blown head gasket. 94 Seville STS 98,000 miles, been driving with second blown head gasket for some time now, as many of you know my story.

Driving it locally only short distances 5 miles or less to grocery store, and with only minor coolant loss until 2 weeks ago. Engine runs smoothly, but just now can detect a slight miss especially after warms up. Radiator has developed a steam leak coming out of upper drivers side, also coolant is leaking severely underneath engine possibly water pump area. When removing radiator cap can now obviously hear and feel high pressure being released (almost blows cap out of my hand), even after sitting all night. It will lose 1 gallon of coolant in 5 miles. No water in oil.

Fortunately I have 2 other newer cars so this is not a big concern other than what to do with this vehicle. At this point would probably need new engine, radiator, heater core, sun roof (sticking), front shocks. Has brand new tires less than 1000 miles, brakes, newer battery, nice body with only 2 minor dings, paint is nice pearl white. Car has a lot of eye appeal, and is fully loaded. Very tempting to fix again because I like the large roomy feel of the car (I am 6' 3" 220lb), just not sure if it is cost effective to fix a 1994 with this many issues.

Average price to replace engine is $7500.00 - $8000.00 3-5 year warranty. That does not include radiator, or shocks. Front shocks are totally gone.

So now I am at the point where I have to do something with it, BIG question is what? If I repair this vehicle what could possibly go wrong next? Should I just give up on it? Buy a newer Seville?

Anyway, I mainly wanted to share this with everyone so people can know what to expect if you continue driving a norstar with a blown head gasket, or with overheating issue.

Please refrain from insults.

[Rafter S Tom]

Tough luck on the Seville.... but with almost 100K and facing a $7000 plus repair bill, I would move on to something else. There's a 97 STS in our local paper for $6200 with 44K miles on it, I'd spend the $$ on this one rather than fixing the '94.

[billytheshoe]

Tom say's there are other options.A wild guess says he' right, geewizz 7000 is alot. is it worth it?

[billytheshoe]

$7000 is a good down payment on a corvette.

[rfishing]

Just checking autotrader and somebody has one same year with 112k miles, identical color wants $2600.00

Ad says runs good.

[davesdeville]

I'll give you $400 for it.

I hate to say this about any car (which is why my back yard is already full of cars) but it's not worth fixing.

[Rag64top]

Too bad about your car, but sounds like you saw it coming.
I would sell it AS-IS on Ebay, and let the buyer know what he's getting into.
Someone may want it for a great parts car, or even have a good engine, and a poor body, looking to find a car like yours to rebuild.
I love Ebay, it's a great place to make something disappear, as is, buyer beware. You might not get that much, but who knows, give it a try.
Ebay has so many users, your car will get maximum bang for the advertising buck. Buzztrader.com has free ads, I sold a Monte Carlo through them this spring, they put the ad in other car websites also, what more can you ask for free?
Good luck, whatever you should decide.

Peace
Rags

[codewize]

That sounds like a lot to replace the engine. Didn't we say we can buy an engine now for $2800? The labor time is around 20 hrs. You should be well under $5k to do an engine swap.

That may still be to much for what the car is but it's an FYI.

[caddydaddy]

It's time to put the ole Cad down! You listed at least 10 grand it repairs! You could buy a 2002 STS for $10k!

[lbwd]

Are your TAIL LIGHTS cracked?

[Ranger]

I remember your bout with the head gaskets and the "repair in a bottle". Are you saying it was repaired and has blown again? Was it Timeserted the first time?

[dp102288]

$7k does sound too high for an engine & labor.

I say don't fix. It doesn't seems worth it. But if you have the time and patience, you could part it out to forum members and craigslist readers. Good way to make some $$ back since the rest of the car sounds like it is in good condition.

[zonie77]

If you could fix it yourself it might be worth timeserting and HG's. If you are going to pay someone else to fix I'd say don't.

The problem with driving it as is is possibly ruining the bearings from water in the oil. If it still runs good the engine is not ruined yet.

List it here and if no one buys it try ebay or local paper.

[iametarq]

part it out, and use the money for a newer Seville.

[Ur7x]

Originally Posted by Ranger

I remember your bout with the head gaskets and the "repair in a bottle". Are you saying it was repaired and has blown again? Was it Timeserted the first time?

Yes, a better title for this thread would be "Why not to pour snake oil into your coolant tank"

BTW $7000 for a Timesert job is nuts, I think I've suggested this before, I will again, you really need to shop around and find someone else to work on your car!

These engines are not at all hard to find at wrecking yards. and can be had for about $1000-1250. In most parts of the country independent shops charge out at $75-100 per hour. To drop the cradle and re&re the motor is 10 hours book time... So your low end price should be closer to $2000.

If your car is worth $2000 fix it...
If not then send it to that great wrecker in the sky.