pablo1999

Here we go again. This is a continuation of the previous thread I posted:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=440911

After doing a major tune up of $400.00 the mechanic is now saying that he needs to fix the heads and replace the head gaskets of my Neon. The car is over heating and also has lost compression.

The following is a picture of the head gasket. I was told that this can cost up to $80 depending on the Neon's engine.

http://www.buymopar.com/store/fwd/headgasket.gif

The following is a picture of the head which I think he was refering to.
http://www.buymopar.com/store/neon/head.png

I was told to get a replacement for this is around $250.00.

Anyways, he will be charing around $800.00 for this work. Some else posted this thread which sounds similar to what my mechanic wants to do.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=441840

In this other thread everyone agrees that $1600.00 is fair and my mechanic is charging me $800.00. I'm afraid that I will be paying the $800.00 and then he will tell me, oh! the car something else which will cost around $800.00 more.

Thank you for any inputs to this situation.

LeSabre97mint

What do you mean by over heating? Boiling, or the heat gauage rising slightly? Cars, there is one certainty, They all cost money to buy, they cost money to run, they cost money to fix. I very seldom take my cars to the shop. I can't afford to pay their labor rates. I've never had a used car in my life. (you may be thinking..... never a used car...??? were they all new?) NO they've all been used up!

Back to your car. If the engine has been really overheated, the head can crack. This can be welded by a "good" auto machine shop. However, the loss in compression may just be a loose sparkplug to a blown headgasket to a burnt valve. More testing will be needed. I did a 95 headgasket replacement and it was the gasket that let go. There was oil in the coolant.

Good luck

Regards
Dan

pablo1999

Thanks for the reply.

I start my car and after few minutes of driving the heat gauage rises to the highest hot level and the car turns off.

Yes, he mentioned about taking the head to a machine shop and welding the head.

Now,so me else posted this thread which sounds similar to what my mechanic wants to do.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbu...ad.php?t=441840

In this other thread everyone agrees that $1600.00 is fair and my mechanic is charging me $800.00. I'm afraid that I will be paying the $800.00 and then he will tell me, oh! the car something else which will cost around $800.00 more.

Also, what are my chances of my car working after welding the head and replacing the head gaskets?

palindromelol

What is the root cause to the engine over heating? with coolant, an open thermostat, a pump, and a heat exchanger, and fan it should not overheat.

Do you have all of these items?

pablo1999

The root cause? I thought that it was because the heads are cracked and the head gasket needs to be replaced.

That car has coolant and oil.

The mechanic showed me the thermostat which was clogged. This is possibly one of the reasons why I'm also having this problems right now.

A pump and a heat exchanger? Not sure what you are talking about. Sorry, I don't know much about cars.

The fan is working properly.

Thank you in advanced for more inputs.

palindromelol

I don't see how a "crack" or a 'leaking" head gasket can CAUSE overheating. They may result FROM overheating.

If the thermostat was clogged then that was likely the reason for the overheat. Any other part of the coolant system might contain the clogging guck so I would say to flush out the radiator and make sure the thermostat is in place in the right direction. If you have the correct coolant, flow, radiation and the fan is operational, I don't se why a head gasket "leak" would cause overheating. Help me out here people but that leak would have to be combustion chamber penetration and ole pablo1999 would know if he had a combustion chamber leak.

I'd take a step back and ensure your rad, pipes, coolant and pump are all in working order.

I simply don't agree with the diagnosis.