Opinions Needed, Head Gasket going???

[Frank G]

Hello,

I have a 97 Cavlier RS (2.2L, Auto) This morning I went outside to wash the car and checked the oil and to my disapointment, I saw the oil has a slight milky look to it, So I assume I blew my Head Gasket.

The Car has 108,000 miles on it, but other then this issue the vehicle drives and looks excellent, as I am not planning an buying a relacement, what are my options 1)Replace the Head Gasket or 2)Just replace the engine as it does have 108,000 miles.

I am not going to be doing the work myself, I will bring it to my local mechanic.

What are the approximate cost involved with Engine replacement and just a doing the Head Gasket?

Thanks
Frank G.

[godenm]

yeah, probly head gasket,hav you ever noticed overheating or cool heat from heater? 108,000 miles isnt exactly alot of miles anymore,where i live a head gasket is only $20.00,& gasket kit is only like $55.00(parts only).. the 2.2 has been known for blowing head gaskets,so almost every part store keeps them in stock. and replacing the head gasket on over-head valve engine isnt really that hard...just my

[Frank G]

Originally Posted by godenm

yeah, probly head gasket,hav you ever noticed overheating or cool heat from heater?

Nope, never overheating, I have noticed ever since I have owned it(65,000 miles 2.5 years) , if I idle either at a Red light or just stopped in traffic the temp guage will slowly creep past the half way mark toward the high temp, but not at all near red. (But this seems to be a "normal" occurance on the J-Body Cavaliers)

Any idea on what a shop should charge for just a replacement head gasket.

I guess I am leaning toward just the Head Gasket replacement rather then a whole new or rebuilt engine as the car run excellent even w/108,000 miles on it.

[godenm]

honestly,i dont know what a big shop would charge, usually $200.00-300.00 w/parts i would guess. and yeah i would just do a head gasket change also. like i said 108,000 is nothing,i have 98 z24 w/208,800 miles,i drive it everyday,and still run it at the track on weekends,and i have 188,000 on my 97 2.2 & my wife drives that everyday as well

[Classicrocjunkie]

Damn... I like mine with only 53,000 miles on it for a 99... buy a haynes repair manual and do it yourself.

[godenm]

ahh,it seems like only yesterday when my car only had 53,000 on it...

[hackken]

Maybe it isn't your head gasket. With the cooler weather it may only be condensation in your oil. Check your antifreeze- if you are not losing antifreeze then it is probably condensation and not a bad head gasket.

[Frank G]

Originally Posted by hackken

Maybe it isn't your head gasket. With the cooler weather it may only be condensation in your oil. Check your antifreeze- if you are not losing antifreeze then it is probably condensation and not a bad head gasket.

I am hoping!!!

When I got to work 60 miles, one way, yesterday, I did check the oil and it looked fine, golden brown. This morning I checked, the oil and the same, Golden Brown (120 miles since I spotted the "milkyness")

The Car was sitting for Four days without a startup, So at this point I might choke it up to being condenstation (something I have never seen in oil)

Well, either way, I am going to pay, special attention to the oil and now it gave me a "warning" put a little money aside for the next few weeks, for a possible Head Gasket job.

Thanks all for the help,
Frank G