Blown head gasket

[dlpco]

I just returned from the dealer with some bad news. I blew my head gasket on my 2000 cruiser. It's an external leak and it looks like its time to fix it.

Any ideas on what this should cost?

Other things that are worth doing while the engine is torn apart?

I took it into the shop for a timing belt, so that is already on my list of to do's.

 

[AATLAS1X]

Any ideas on what this should cost?

I'd call the service manager and ask him as the advisor didn't give you a quote for parts and labor.

 

[Bawlz]

Before you okay the work, I would perhaps question their diagnosis as it could be the same issue the gentleman who started this thread had: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/639939-dubious-honor-hg-failure.html

They may have seen evidence of a leak (not necessarily the HG) and said "Could be head gasket, see if the customer will go for the work.", a lot of shops/dealers will sell what they can, especially if it happens to be slow.

 

[bkgee]

the gentleman who started this thread ...https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/639939-dubious-honor-hg-failure.html

As the gentleman (ahem) who started that thread, I whole heartedly agree, get a second opinion or make plenty of your own observations. I was absolutely convinced that I had blown a HG based on my initial observations. Luckily I got the same advise (and the sticker shock was not prompting me into immediate action).

Clean the area thoroughly, refill your coolant reservoir, and monitor for a few days. Look for wet, see if the reservoir level drops, watch for smoke on start up, check the oil on the dipstick.

As a few folks pointed out on my thread, it would be very rare to encounter a blown HG on these engines.

 

[hankinid]

Any thought about a leak-down compression check?...Properly done, you can identify leakage through intake or exhaust valves as well as leakage into the cooling system.

Steve

 

[Bawlz]

As the gentleman (ahem) who started that thread,

I was hoping you would make an appearance in this thread.