Head gasket is leaking 2001 Lesabre

[Rasp]

Wow this car is really a lemon. I think I'm going to call it Windows Vista.

I think I have had every major problem you can think of with this darn car. I still love it though. lol

Anyway I have a head gasket leak. I could get a garage to do the job for 1500 bucks but I'm wondering if I should do it instead.

I can do without the car until May so I could work on it in my garage in my spare time.

I have a haynes manual and it gives me a little detail on what needs to be done but I would like a better tutorial than that if anyone has one.

My second concern is do I need to take the engine out or can I do the job with the engine in the car?

I have never done a job this big but I am willing to try. If I fail or give up in frustration I could get it towed.

Anyhow any help on this would be benifical and appreciated. If you think doing it myself would be foolish or unwise for any reason I would like input into that as well. I don't mind working on my car but I admit I have never taken apart half an engine before.

[danielsatur]

See www.steelseal.com , it might be worth a try.
Play video

[Rasp]

Yea I just finished watching that and I doubt that it is a good thing. I would rather fix it right. The car is a 2001 but I think it is still in fairly decent condition. I think that steel seal would be good for a car that is worthless but still runs.
If it fixes it bonus but if it doesn't you could throw the car to the wrecker.

I think this car deserves a proper new gasket kit and machined heads. If I did the steel seal I am almost sure it wouldn't last and it might even damage the engine further.

Thats just my opinion though.

[MagicRat]

There are lots of on-line instructional videos on this. Although the task looks daunting at first, it is actually very straightforward. Be sure to label all the hoses and wires as you remove them, and take lots of pictures for reference, as you disassemble.

This car has an engine that's fairly easy to work on. Since this has pushrod valve gear, its a lot easier than an overhead cam V6. And no, you do not need to remove the engine.

IMO you should do both heads at the same time. Also, it is very important to send the heads out to a machine shop when they are removed, so they can be checked for cracks and straightness. If you are doing all the work, you want to be sure the heads are not faulty.

[danielsatur]

I found another video, see www.youtube.com/watch?v=3suQy44G_B0
Look at the opions at the bottom.

Volvo use's a head gasket sealer instead of a regular gasket!

[polarzak]

Go for it, Rasp. The feeling of accomplishment when you start it up after your overhaul, is almost as good as a weekend with the woman of your dreams. You seem to have the time, and that is a good thing. Haynes is good, label everything, pictures, help from people on this site, and torque to specs and you can do it. Sorry your LeSabre is the Vista equivalent; our 2000 was a dream...must be those cold Winnipeg winters. (smile) Good luck.

[Rasp]

Yea I might give it a shot. I really don't know about it being the same as the woman of my dreams but maybe. Do you think you're dreams are a little lame maybe??? lol

I'd drop this car off a cliff for my dreams. Hell I think I'd do it for the hell of it.

If I do it I'm sure I'll need help every so often so be sure to help if you can.

Also again if any of you know of any online tutorial with pics that would be great.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by Rasp

Anyway I have a head gasket leak.

Could you explain this a little better, how did you determine that you have a "head gasket leak"? Did you do a leak-down test, compression test, or pressure test?

[Rasp]

Well I took it to a garage and they did a pressure test. With that test they determined that there was no external leakage.

They then said that there was no antifreeze in the oil.

But they saw the spark plugs where turning a little white. They said that the antifreeze was burning off in the exhaust. I was definately losing antifreeze roughly (2 litres in a 2 week period).

But nothing was on my garage floor. I have replaced the manifold gaskets already last year. My oil looks clean. I don't get alot of white smoke out of my exhaust pipe but I think that might just mean that the leak is slow enough to not show the white exhaust to any great degree. It is cold here so I do get some exhaust but nothing out of the ordinary.

I know they did the pressure test, Did they do those other tests? I'm not sure I wasn't there for the whole diagnosis and I didn't think to ask either.

When they first did the pressure test on the weekend the guy at the garage told me there wasn't a leak. I told them there was a leak. I had to bring it back on Monday for the, so called, "Master Mechanic" to look at it. They then found that it was leaking and internally. What test they used, I'm not sure of.

[danielsatur]

Yep!
We charge $250 for a SteelSeal fix, or $1250 for new head gaskets for a 10yr old car.
Who wants to chase a coolant leak?

[Rasp]

me if I want to do it correctly. I realize the car isn't new but it also isn't a beater 140 000 km is nothing. And I would rather not have other problems down the road by putting that stuff in my engine.

[danielsatur]

It's a trade secret in the can, some people might pay $1200 for the same fix.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by Rasp

Well I took it to a garage and they did a pressure test. With that test they determined that there was no external leakage.

They then said that there was no antifreeze in the oil.

But they saw the spark plugs where turning a little white. They said that the antifreeze was burning off in the exhaust. I was definately losing antifreeze roughly (2 litres in a 2 week period).

But nothing was on my garage floor. I have replaced the manifold gaskets already last year. My oil looks clean. I don't get alot of white smoke out of my exhaust pipe but I think that might just mean that the leak is slow enough to not show the white exhaust to any great degree. It is cold here so I do get some exhaust but nothing out of the ordinary.

I know they did the pressure test, Did they do those other tests? I'm not sure I wasn't there for the whole diagnosis and I didn't think to ask either.

When they first did the pressure test on the weekend the guy at the garage told me there wasn't a leak. I told them there was a leak. I had to bring it back on Monday for the, so called, "Master Mechanic" to look at it. They then found that it was leaking and internally. What test they used, I'm not sure of.

So far, you have a very suspicious and a lopsided diagnosis! You need to find out exactly where the leak originates and not rely on personal opinions. A "spark plug turning a little white" is definitely not an indication of coolant ingestion! Unless the plugs are covered in a white ash or extremely wet looking, you probably don’t have coolant in the combustion chamber! If you see white smoke from the exhaust for extended periods, does it have a sweet smell? Has your engine ever overheated, or suffered from the lack of coolant protection during extreme low temps? Have your “master mechanic” do a dye test of the coolant to see if exhaust gases are present. Typically, this procedure is more accurate & if the dye changes color, you may be on the right track with head gaskets, or cracked cylinder heads! (Very rare occurrence with cast iron heads & block)
Does steel seal work for a blown head gasket?

[polarzak]

Originally Posted by Rasp

Do you think you're dreams are a little lame maybe??? lol

I was offering a little support, and injected a little humor. Both will not happen again.

[HotZ28]

Originally Posted by polarzak

I was offering a little support, and injected a little humor. Both will not happen again.

Your support & humor are both welcome additions to this, or any thread!