camry v61990 le overheating possibely headgasket leak ? self repair?

my car is overheating . mechanic says it is due to compression leak.
repair quote is $1200. do not want to spend that much.
is there something i can try at home?
dose the problem with vaccum hose affect?
have busted 3 radiators in 1 year.

$1200 is as honest a price for a Toyota v6 headgasket as you'll see. The only money they're making is off labor, everything is 100% good.


Most people overpay in the $1500-1800 range for it to be done.



Buy a haynes repair manual & try to repair it yourself if you want.
You need to change the thermostat, water pump, radiator cap<s>.

I would buy a full engine seal kit off ebay & install all new seals. Normally the v6 seal kits go for $120-140. A good idea would also buy the sael kit & take it to the mechanic - but yours seems good.



I would hold onto that mechanic.