Cracked Gasket

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

The head gasket on my car just cracked (i think that was the official diagnosis). It is a '92 Subaru Legacy sedan w/ 143,000 miles on it, and the mechanic estimated it'd be about $1200 to repair. He didn't check the actual price, this was off the top of his head.
I can't imagine the car is worth more than $1500 or $2000 max in a fully operational state. I'll be going away to school in August, and I'm not planning to bring a car. Is it worth it to get the car fixed, or should I scap it and buy the cheapest POS that will pass inspection. Hopefully a $500 junker can make it until August w/o any major malfunctions.

 

[peto]

Personally, I think $1200 for that is a ripoff. Do it yourself! Be a man!

 

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

I don't even know what a head gasket is, LOL. I don't think that's an option. I am going to get estimates from other places though.

 

[SonicFlux]

$1200 to replace a gasket!?!?! no way.

I'm assuming he meant one of your heads was cracked and needs replacing. I would get a second or third opinion before shelling out that much cash for repairs.

Another thing to consider is, how well do you know your car? If that is the only thing wrong with it, it may be best to fix your car rather than chancing it with a $500 clunker that you don't know anything about...

 

[BlackOmen]

I'm not too up on my foreign cars, but if your suby uses the boxer engine, i could understand how it could be so high. I feel yer pain though, last winter the head gasket blew on my 94 cavalier, and if i wasn't right smack in the middle of a college semester, I would've repaired it myself.

You should definitely see if you can find a better deal. The drawback to buying a new car (esp junker)is that you don't know what is wrong with it. You do know what is wrong and wright with your current car. That's just the way I feel at least. Best of luck to you!

 

At my garage (Mobil),that particular repair would cost $650.

It is not a cracked gasket,it is a blown head gasket.

 

[N8Magic]

It depends on the design of the engine.

On my car (2.3L Quad 4) a head gasket replacement is over $1000.00. Also, if its a DOHC engine, don't do it yourself. You'll never get the timing right.

 

N8Magic

You paid too much

I do Quad 4 head gaskets for $725.

 

[flyfish]

$1200? Could'nt he have a rebuilt engine dropped in for a little more than that?

 

[StageLeft]

<< $1200? Could'nt he have a rebuilt engine dropped in for a little more than that? >>



I think you could yep.

 

[N8Magic]

<< N8Magic

You paid too much

I do Quad 4 head gaskets for $725. >>



Heh, it's in CDN funds.

BTW, I did it myself. That's how I know setting the timing is a b!tch. The friggin thing took me the entire weekend! :Q

 

Fun setting up those timing chains isn't it ?

 

[N8Magic]

<< Fun setting up those timing chains isn't it ? >>



What a blast! You have no idea! (wait.... yes you do.)

I saved myself a pile of money though, and actually learned/saw the internals of my engine. Ahhh. Car repair is a wonderful thing when you do it for yourself.

 

[Viperoni]

<<

<< Fun setting up those timing chains isn't it ? >>



What a blast! You have no idea! (wait.... yes you do.)

I saved myself a pile of money though, and actually learned/saw the internals of my engine. Ahhh. Car repair is a wonderful thing when you do it for yourself. >>



Now imagine building your own speakers
Sorry had to butt that in

I remember back in gr.11 I changed out 3 pistons out of an escort cuz the lady's tranny wouldn't shift out of first and she was too stupid to realize it.
What could be worse?
Her coming back the next week having blown the engine.
Teacher told her to go take it somewhere else :Q

 

[Pacfanweb]

Actually, 1200 may not be too high depending on where you are. Some places have much higher labor prices. Remember, the guy just guessed off the top of his head. If I did that, I'd tack a few hundred over what I thought it really was just in case I was wrong.

Get a couple of firm estimates. If it really is 600-700 bucks, you might as well have it fixed if the rest of the car is in good shape.
You probably can't buy anything any better for that price.

If it is 1200 bucks, you have a decision to make. If you buy some other junker for less than a grand, you may be getting into something that needs a bunch of work.....or maybe not. If you do decide to buy, be sure to have a GOOD mechanic look it over....not just look under the hood, PAY him to raise it up, pull the wheels.....check it thoroughly.

 

[20_MuleTeam_Borax]

If it makes any difference, I had to replace the transmission ($1500) and alternator ($200) last winter on my current car.

 

[BuckMaster]

I agree with Pacfanweb. First the gasket probably doesnt cost over $20.00 and I bet even mush less. But your paying for labor because you have to take alot of the motor apart to replace the gasket plus other gaskets. It would be much easier on a older car like chevy type 350 motor, maybe I say that because Ive had alot of pratice with them. I would think alot worse for a '92 Subaru Legacy sedan. You also have a torching pattern you have to follow. If not done right you will be replacing it again with in a week. Theres alot more to just replacing a head gasket then you think! Also finding a GOOD mechanic is hard to find now days and I myself I think there prices are way to high! But its like anything anymore your paying for the labor/knowledge not so much the parts.

Good Luck!

 

[Pastore]

<< ll be going away to school in August, and I'm not planning to bring a >>



so just sell it and put the money in your bank account!