Head Gasket Problem

[jlj]

Just trying to get even more information...can I get by without changing the head gasket? When I hear "blown gasket" I see imaging of being stuck in the highway with oil spewing everywhere. Basically I just $900 into new brakes and don't have the money to fix the gasket and the Customer Service number at Dodge said I need to bring it in to be diagnoses before they would even consider paying for the repair. Besides losing more and more oil, can this be dangerous while driving...thanks again!

[HiRez_L]

I'll put it to you this way - I drove mine with the blown gasket for a year with no performance problems and no damage that my mechanic could find. With it fixed, it still runs great. But I wouldn't recommend driving it with a blown gasket to anyone, especially someone who isn't mechanically inclined. The fact that you spent $900 on brakes tells me you're not mechanically inclined, so you probably ought to have it fixed soon. Even if driving it with the blown gasket does no damage to your engine, if you let the oil get too low, that could damage it.

[jlj]

Originally Posted by HiRez_L

I'll put it to you this way - I drove mine with the blown gasket for a year with no performance problems and no damage that my mechanic could find. With it fixed, it still runs great. But I wouldn't recommend driving it with a blown gasket to anyone, especially someone who isn't mechanically inclined. The fact that you spent $900 on brakes tells me you're not mechanically inclined, so you probably ought to have it fixed soon. Even if driving it with the blown gasket does no damage to your engine, if you let the oil get too low, that could damage it.

I just brought mine into the dealership and they want $1000 to fix the head gasket. I called the Customer Service line and they said they would not be willing to absorb any of the costs due to the milage (88k) and the year '98. Any suggestions on what the next step should be?

[HiRez_L]

I paid to have mine fixed, and I'm going to file a small-claims court case against Chrysler. From what I've read on the web, that has been successful for other Stratus owners.

[MICHELLE LINDSEY]

Originally Posted by mookie800

I have the same problem with my stratus. i think we should get a class action law suit against chrysler for not trying to fix this problem.

I HAVE A DODGE STRATUS THAT I BOUGHT BRAND NEW IN 1999 OFF THE SHOWROOM FLOOR, WHAT A MISTAKE! I HAVE REPLACED THE ENGINE IN IT ONCE ALREADY AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THIS ENGINE MAINLY THE MANIFOLD. NOW THE ENGINE IS GOING AGAIN, MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OVER HEATING, WIRING, TIMING,THE HEADS, OIL LEAKS YOU NAME IT HAS HAPPENED. I HAVE ALMOST PAID FOR THIS CAR 2 1/2 TIMES OVER AND THE SAD THING IS OUR STORIES ARE JUST A FEW OF THOUSANDS. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN ANY RESPONSIBILITY TAKEN BY CHRYLSER FOR THESE POORLY MANUFACTURED HUNKS OF METAL. THEY SHOULD HAVE TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PRODUCT THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS A DEPENDABLE, RELIABLE PRODUCT WHEN IN EFFECT, WAS OBVIOULSY MASS PRODUCED ON A FRIDAY....... CONTINUOUSLY. I WOULD SUPPORT A CLASS ACTION SUIT AND I AM SURE THAT EVERYONE WHOM HAS BOUGHT ONE OF THESE TRAVESTIES WOULD TOO.

[akast7]

Yeah, I just got burned for $700 for the head gasket on my 1998 Dodge Stratus. I'm more than a little frustrated with the whole situation, but it seems, from reading the other posts, that $700 seems to be the going rate.

[Dthane]

Does the check engine light always come on when the gasket blows? Can you see signs of it when looking from above or below the engine? I am in the market for a college car for my kids, and a Stratus is "in the running" with a few other vehicles, so I guess I am wondering what I would be getting into. It has a 98 with 103K on it, not sure if it has had headgasket work on it or not. Thanks.