really mixed up

[shanwhite]

Ok- am I missing something? I have blown head gaskets on my 95 Windstar and was told by a mechanic I would have to replace whole engine. I have read several threads where head gaskets were replaced. What is the difference?? Have I been told wrong? Please note that if I seem to not know what I am talking about-I don't. I am asking basic questions to determine what to do with the vehicle and we all know how much mechanics can be trusted!!

[DRW1000]

I assume the rest of the vehicle is worth enough to warrant this level of engine work.

If your head gaskets are shot and the rest of the engine (internal to the block and heads) are in okay shape then the head gaskets can be replaced. It is not that big of a job but you may be looking at 5-6 hours labour. If the internals of the engine are not in good shape such as the valve guides, pistons, bearings etc...It may not be worth the bother. If they are talking about replacing the engine are they planiing on putting in a rebuilt block and heads (as good as new) or swapping the entire engine with a used one? The cost of replacing the block is a lot higher than just replacing the gaskets but you will essentually have a new engine. Of course there are a lot of other items that may be close to failing in the near future including things like the water pump, steering pump, alternator, fuel system, sensors, transmission....

What sort of mileage do you have on the 95?

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by shanwhite

Ok- am I missing something? I have blown head gaskets on my 95 Windstar and was told by a mechanic I would have to replace whole engine. I have read several threads where head gaskets were replaced. What is the difference?? Have I been told wrong? Please note that if I seem to not know what I am talking about-I don't. I am asking basic questions to determine what to do with the vehicle and we all know how much mechanics can be trusted!!

Shan

I have a 95 and I bought it with blown headgaskets, with 177,000 miles on it, from a friend from church. I pulled the heads off and had them checked for cracks had them surfaced (the smoother the better) and the valves pressure checked.

Cylinders 3 and 4 had antifreeze in them.

This is the second set of gaskets this van has had.

I also put rod bearings in. There was some noise on start up. The bearings were down to the copper in some places.

If you have the time, the space, and some tools, manual, some help from your brother in law.....

I guess what I'm getting at here is ...if you didn't blow a rod by hydro-locking it the engine is probably usable with a replacement gasket set. The engine will have to be taken apart, inspeceted, and go from there.

Let me know if you would like more info.

Regards

Dan

[shanwhite]

Originally Posted by DRW1000

I assume the rest of the vehicle is worth enough to warrant this level of engine work.

If your head gaskets are shot and the rest of the engine (internal to the block and heads) are in okay shape then the head gaskets can be replaced. It is not that big of a job but you may be looking at 5-6 hours labour. If the internals of the engine are not in good shape such as the valve guides, pistons, bearings etc...It may not be worth the bother. If they are talking about replacing the engine are they planiing on putting in a rebuilt block and heads (as good as new) or swapping the entire engine with a used one? The cost of replacing the block is a lot higher than just replacing the gaskets but you will essentually have a new engine. Of course there are a lot of other items that may be close to failing in the near future including things like the water pump, steering pump, alternator, fuel system, sensors, transmission....

What sort of mileage do you have on the 95?

This is what we were told by the same mechanic that told us we needed a whole new engine: that he ran every test possible and everything is good. The van has about 130,000 miles on it. My husband has not really checked the van out (he had to have it towed because he was on his way to work when it quit on him) and we haven't gotten a second opinion yet. That's really what we are trying to determine is whether it is even worth all this trouble. His nickname is McGuyver so he could do the work and figure out what he doesn't know with a manual. But like you said why go through the trouble if everything else is going to break afterwards.

[LeSabre97mint]

Originally Posted by shanwhite

This is what we were told by the same mechanic that told us we needed a whole new engine: that he ran every test possible and everything is good. The van has about 130,000 miles on it. My husband has not really checked the van out (he had to have it towed because he was on his way to work when it quit on him) and we haven't gotten a second opinion yet. That's really what we are trying to determine is whether it is even worth all this trouble. His nickname is McGuyver so he could do the work and figure out what he doesn't know with a manual. But like you said why go through the trouble if everything else is going to break afterwards.

Well....McGuyver.... it's show time! Go for it. It beets car payments.

Regards

Dan