Garage say blown head gasket...2nd opinion or sell and how?

[theymademedoit]

Hi all.

Not had my 2nd gen Celica that long but long enough to know I am gutted.

Anyway will make this quick...

A month or so ago we had really really cold weather and when I was driving home from work the heaters wouldn't come on.

I wondered if this was due to the cold so I got home and hoped they would be working in the morning.

Morning came and no heat. I carried on to work and on the way home I noticed that the temp gauge was going to the max then back down every couple of minutes or so.

Got home around 10 mins later and the next morning the same thing.

I wondered if it was the coolant so when I lifted the bonnet the coolant had boiled over and was splashed everywhere.

Next day I looked online and was given the advice to try burping it. After about 30 mins the heating came back on so I topped it off with coolant and off I went.

20 mins later over heating again :sad:

Decided after taking to a neighbour we thought it was the thermostat so I took it to the local garage and bused it to work.

2 hours later the garage called and said it was a blow head gasket, He said he ran the engine for ages and the coolant was spraying out of the coolant header tank and again was everywhere.

He then said he did a sniff test which came out positive.

My question is, could a false reading be given if everywhere was soaked in coolant or am I clutching at straws?

Worth getting a second opinion?

Also if I do decide to get rid of it how would you go about selling it? Is it only worth scrap now?

Thanks,

Al

[Superhoop]

the sniff test doesn't test for coolant, that should be in the cooling system - It checks for exhaust gasses, which if present, indicate that combustion gasses are entering the cooling system = Head gasket failure.

The system pressurising pretty much confirms that anyway..

[HJG]

Unfortunately this has all the signs of a head gasket failure between the combustion chamber and the cooling channels.

[theymademedoit]

Thanks for the replies.
So if I am not going to fix it (just bought a mint 1997 Eunos V-Spec) which avenue would get me the most money do you think?
Thanks,
Al

[lucido grigio]

Usual answer to this is Ebay, 99p start and stating ALL faults and plenty of pics of body etc.

Or list as spares and repair only.

[theymademedoit]

Thanks.
If I was to buy this would it cover my repair providing the new engine is ok?
If so would this cost a lot to get fitted?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/toyota-celica-1-8-Vvti-E...

[aka_kerrly]

Interesting, did the garage give you a quote to have the headgasket done?

Sometimes yes it is easier to put a whole engine in but id want to hear the engine running first or at least compression test results otherwise you could end up swapping in a dud.

If you are capable of doing an engine swap a head gasket isnt that scary!
you can buy a kit here http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FULL-HEAD-GASKET-KIT-TOY...

and bolts
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AJUSA-Bolt-Kit-cylinder-...

here is a manual
http://www.testroete.com/car/Toyota/celica/repair%...

[theymademedoit]

Thanks for the links.
They quoted £1200!!
I have had a mobile place quote £425 online?

[aka_kerrly]

Since you have a new car and don't need the Celica the way i see it your options are:

- scrap , you may get £50-100
- DIY on the drive, spend £125 on parts, £50-100 to have the head skimmed/checked plus a few quid just in case you find any other components that could be easily replaced whilst the engine is in bits.. Then you have a working car that could be worth £500-2000
- Spend £425 at a mobile place ( i dare say that does seem rather cheap so id be concerned that shortcuts will be taken for example not skimming/pressure testing the head!) an still have a £500-2000 car - prob best to sell asap!

How much was the car in the first place and do you think that with the cost of repairs you can break even/make money?

Or sling it on ebay for £500 as a non runner and see if anyone bites

[theymademedoit]

Thanks mate
£1400 paid.
I will have a think but I know nothing about fixing cars!!

[battered]

If you are not a skilled mechanic then don't start with a HG!