I have a 2000 SLS with 154K miles. After having several different issues the last 3 months, I was just told that the head gasket is bad. The mechanic suggests getting a replacement engine, but I'm wondering if it is worth having it repaired. The plan is to keep the car at least for another couple years so I wonder what is the best route to go. Also cost is a factor as well, although I suspect there is probably not much difference in overall cost between the two. I would appreciate any opinions and suggestions of reputable shops in the Washington, DC area. Thank you.
Repair head gasket vs replace engine
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One thing to consider with a replacement engine is that you don't know how or even if it was maintained or if the HG threads are in good condition or not. You could end up with the same problem in the future. It's a roll of the dice. Repairing yours (properly) will probably outlast any replacement engine. Just something to consider when comparing costs.
I agree w/Ranger.
The issue is the condition of the head bolt threads. If it was here, I would do thread cert repair on all and while the heads are off a valve job w/new seals since you know the rest of the car as well as you do.
That would cost only a few grand VS 2 plus times that for a replacement engine.
The issue is the condition of the head bolt threads. If it was here, I would do thread cert repair on all and while the heads are off a valve job w/new seals since you know the rest of the car as well as you do.
That would cost only a few grand VS 2 plus times that for a replacement engine.
Try and find someone in your area that can stud the engine,If the engine is in good shape other than the head gaskets . Go for it at least you wont have to worry about it happening again. A used motor is too much of a chance. I got my motor studded, resealed , a trans fluid change and new engine mount for about $2400 , and everything is perfect and running strong. Way cheaper than a new car that you might not even like .
You all are making perfect sense. I too feel like the used engine route would be a crap shoot and a re manufactured engine will cost 4k or more. I would really like to not spend more than $2500 if at all possible. Think I will begin searching for a mechanic who has worked on N* engines before.
Repost. Sorry
a remand engine won't be studded most likely unless you get it from Jake up in Canada
i think its best to go with a Stud job on this just my opinion on what i would do if i where in your shoes
you would end up spending 4-6k on a replacement engine depending where you get it from parts and labor if its a remanded replacement or rebuilt
or 2200-3000 on the high end to have it studded
even if you can't find someone locally
still go with the stud
have it shipped to a shop that does these on a regular basis
i would recomend spending the 500-600 to ship it to Cleveland Ohio
to a shop called Powertrain Automotive
david the owner does at least 2 or 3 of these a month on the low end
and he does a stud job as-long as your block is ok it probably won't be more then about 2400-2500
the next closest place that i could thing of to you would be sending it to chicago
im not sure who does stud jobs in or around the DC area
i think its best to go with a Stud job on this just my opinion on what i would do if i where in your shoes
you would end up spending 4-6k on a replacement engine depending where you get it from parts and labor if its a remanded replacement or rebuilt
or 2200-3000 on the high end to have it studded
even if you can't find someone locally
still go with the stud
have it shipped to a shop that does these on a regular basis
i would recomend spending the 500-600 to ship it to Cleveland Ohio
to a shop called Powertrain Automotive
david the owner does at least 2 or 3 of these a month on the low end
and he does a stud job as-long as your block is ok it probably won't be more then about 2400-2500
the next closest place that i could thing of to you would be sending it to chicago
im not sure who does stud jobs in or around the DC area
i thought that the first time also first time around so i did it
second time around not because the threads where bad but the block was cracked
i figured you know
i could safe 500 and do inserts
or spend the extra and do the studs i don't even think it was that much more maybe 300 more i forget
but what i did think about was
welll gm came out with time sirts then they came out with the bigsirt
why would they have had to come out with replacement fixes for the already fixed unless it was bound to go bad again
Bigserts where made to give you a second chance if you F/U the first installation, not because they "where bound to go bad". That said, they do use the original thread pitch and the Bigsert uses the coarser thread pitch like Norms NS300L inserts, neither of which have any history of failing. You had a cracked block. You'd have had the same failure with studs.
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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The original Timeserts were undersized, and were known to fail, sometimes while the head bolts were being torqued during reassembly. "Bigserts" are similar to Norms inserts, and really no less effective a repair as studs.
:yeah:
goes back to tireserts where known to fail
they came out with bigsirts for that reason
if you want to have to take the possible chance of needing to do it over again in some years down the road perhaps and pay a shop to do it again there is the small chance you might need to do that
fine save a few bucks the first time around
i guess
to me this sounds like the same advice of going to AutoZone buying a cheaper made part with a lifetime warranty
for less money and possibly needing to replace it again
or
going with a better known part brand quality for less that comes with a limited warranty
and just not have to pay for the labor twice
we are talking about a few hundred difference on a 2000-4000 job
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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Like I said, Bigserts and Norms Inserts are just as reliable a repair as studs. They're VERY close in size, to the part of the stud that gets threaded into the block. So as far as the block is concerned, it's essentially the same repair. The difference that the heads are held on with bolts when using inserts, and nuts/washers when using studs.
As far as I know, the original, inferior Timeserts, are no longer available.
As far as I know, the original, inferior Timeserts, are no longer available.
other difference is if your hg's go in 10 years down the road 200 or 300k or what ever how ever much if the gaskets feel or there is any other reason the engine needs to be torn down for
with studs you can reuse them
with inserts
i would not think it would be a good idea to take the bolts out in 10 years lets say and then reuse the same threading id bet that you might pull out chunks of the sirts with the head bolts
2001 Seville STS, 1990 Seville (RIP), 1972 Sedan Deville
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26,328 Posts
No. The inserts are steel, there would be no thread damage from removing the bolts, as can happen with aluminum threads.
ah ok then i take that last comment back
but i still would go with the studs just because
either way back to the topic on hand fix it cheaper and probably better then getting a replacement
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