YACT: gf says, "If you love me, you would fix my car!"

TWills

Senior member
Jan 31, 2005
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I'm seeking both relationship and car advice

Relationship:

What. The. heck.?! How does fixing cars translate into affection. She could have just asked me to fix it straight out, but instead she throws me a curve and draws me into this:

her: Do you love me?
me: Ummm...Yes.
her: Then you're going to fix my car?
me: wt* :|

Why couldn't she just ask me outright? Why all this stupid rigamaroll? ughhh... :roll:

Car:

So evidently she took her car into the shop (because it was leaking oil) and they said it needed a new head gasket. Their price to replace it? A cool 1k. So, assuming I'm going to fix this thing, is it worth my time? Will I end up saving the money? I'm not a car-parts tinkering kind of guy, but I can RTFM, so should I give it a shot? or is it too deep?
 

gar3555

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2005
3,510
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mine does the same thing too me...had to replace all the plugs/plug wires for her...
 

cjgallen

Diamond Member
Jan 20, 2003
6,419
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Fixing cars is a man thing. Just do it and expect nothing in return except the satisfaction of a job well done.
 

RGN

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
6,623
6
81
How is the relationship? If you are telling all, sounds like she is using you...
 

chrisms

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2003
6,615
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Head gaskets suck. They really suck.

With that said it'll cost you $20 to do it yourself, assuming you have an engine hoist like I did and some wrenches. It took me a few 5-6 hour shifts to get it done, as I had to take my whole engine out. Your results may vary
 

notfred

Lifer
Feb 12, 2001
38,241
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Fixing it will cost you about $50 in parts, and require you to disassemble and reassemble the entire top half of the engine. If you're an experienced mechanic, with a shop full of tools, you can probably do it in 8 hours of work.

If you're a beginner, but have at least some experince fixing cars (maybe replaced a radiator or a starter or some stuff like that), and have a set of hand tools, expect to spend at least a weekend on it. Oh, and you'll have to buy a tourque wrench. Decent ones start around $100.
 

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
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She'll be pissed when you say no, and even more pissed when you try to do it and fail.
So I'd say you're screwed. :beer::D
 

RGN

Diamond Member
Feb 24, 2000
6,623
6
81
Torque wrenches are on sale for $79 at sears this weekend (here anyway). You will need one, the (new) headbolts must be torqued to a specific setting. You shouldn't need hoist to do a HG. You will need to tag vaccum lines. I don't think those are OHC, but if so, you will need a few more gaskets.
 

Toastedlightly

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2004
7,214
6
81
Look at the engine when you get a chance. If it is a v-4 (do they make them?) there will be 2 head gaskets.. if it is an inline 4 (a line) it has one head. Easier.
 

chrisms

Diamond Member
Mar 9, 2003
6,615
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Originally posted by: sixone
Does she mean 'fix it' or 'pay for fixing it'?

No way in hell I'd pay $1k for a girlfriend. I say you do it but get a BJ coupon for every hour worked.
 

amdskip

Lifer
Jan 6, 2001
22,530
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I'd pass if I was you. It's a real pita. I helped my dad do one on a Ford escort 86' wagon. It was a wiring disaster!
 

smithdj

Member
Feb 3, 2005
108
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What year neon is it? Most neons are almost a dime a dozen, so first make suure it is worth fixing. Also, because there are so many neons outthere, it MAY be cheaper to just get an engine from a salvage yard and have them swap it out.
 

Shawn

Lifer
Apr 20, 2003
32,236
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Originally posted by: TWills
Originally posted by: Toastedlightly
is it a inline 4 or what is it?

2-door '96 plymouth neon, 4cylinder, automatic...

I4s are much easier than a V6 or a v8 since there is only one and it's not at an angle. you won't need an engine hoist either but you really need 2 people. at least someone you help you lift the head off than place it back on straight. it's a bitch but it's doable. the hardest part is probably putting back on the timing belt.
 

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
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This is one of those things where if you have to ask how to do it, you shouldn't be doing it.
 

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
15,945
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Shoot, my '96 Accord (I-4) cost only $200 to fix the head gasket, and it was done in less than a morning!
 

NeoPTLD

Platinum Member
Nov 23, 2001
2,544
2
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You need:

head gasket $21
head bolts $26(these MUST be replaced when they're remove as they stretch upon installation)
valve cover gasket $30
intake manifold gasket $52

If you skip on gaskets, you might have a leak and might have to re-do it :)