blown head gasket?

[punkdblondbomb]

Hey guys..I'm a girl who knows nothing about cars...I think I blew a head gasket but don't know for sure. I have a 92 Cavalier, 2.2 liter and it idols rough, and kinda jerks when I drive(I guess the guy who looked at it at the garage said I have an engine miss) and there is white smoke coming out of my exhaust. And when I shut the car off and get out the exhaust smells sour. Please help me! What is this about a silent recall? Does this count? I really like this car and don't wanna give it up so I'm wondering if that is the case if anyone lives near me in Mpls, MN if they would be willing to fix it for me. I'll pay you labor!

[GTP Dad]

If you have large amounts of white smoke coming from the exhaust you have a blown head gasket. Unfortunately I don't know anything about a silent recall on your car. I would however limit my driving until you get this fixed. You could do more damage to both the engine and converter if you continue to drive. Expect to spend about $500-$700 to have a garage repair it for you.

[Taasman]

These cars are known for faulty head gaskets...The head needs to be removed, machined plained only (do not do valves) install new gasket and head bolts and you should be good to go. I done mine myself, but I live to far from you or we could work something out. Expect to pay about $400.00 minimum.

[aviator18]

hey, i have a 92 cavy 2.2L as well, ive went through 2 head gaskets and one head, its not a cheap fix, you are gunna be looking at about $1200 if you need to purchase a new head, they warp when they get hot, and can crack, also DO NOT DRIVE because if the antifreeze is getting into your oil, it can dilute it very fast, you dont want that or you could need a whole new engine. get it done ASAP ... if you buy the parts i could do it, i only live 4 hours away in Thunder Bay, its a couple day job b'cause of the machineing but try not to drive it until u have it done. and if you need a new head its gunna cost alot more, but without a new head ur looking at 200 for gasket set and bolts, 150 machining, 60 at least in fluids (oil needs changing, coolant needs to be changed) ect.. but like i said get it done asap

[punkdblondbomb]

Aviator..thanks for the offer! But I found someone to fix it for WAY cheap! He thinks I blew my engine anyway so i think the car is toast. Oh well, he hasn't looked at it yet but there is oil around the spark plugs and that's not good. Oh well...it sucks cause I love this car and I just got it.

[public]

Oil around the plugs is a leaky valve cover and does not mean anything but dirty motor syndrome. A head gasket on this car is $12 and the labor is about 4 hours total including clean up. Just leave the manifolds on the head. If its warped you can remove them after it is off. Reinstall them before you put the head back on. It is a lot easier this way. Good Luck.

[punkdblondbomb]

Thanks for all the help guys! I found a mechanic to fix it for cheap so I'm waiting for him to call me back. I didn't wanna trash this car. I like it. THe best car I've ever had so I wanna keep it.