Hello,
My 98 Cavalier overheated due to a sudden leak. (I have a new radiator already) While the temp gauge never got to the red, it most certainly got to that point.
It died, restarted, gurgled and died for good. Added water just to see it get shot out the middle front couple head bolts.
I need to get by with the minimal cost. We are looking to buy a house and cannot add a new car loan with the way they calculate mortgages approval stuff, etc.
The car has 113k on it.
I know I will need a gasket set. What other things are almost certainly required? Total estimated cost if I do it myself?
If I find the block or the head is cracked, the car will be scrapped. I did not see any water in the oil, but I guess a piston could still be cracked, which is game over as well. I am worried the head is cracked though.
The water spurts out the front head bolts and I cannot hear the engine will not fire whatsoever on any cylinder. It spins like it has no compression at all. If I remove a plug, water jets out in spurts as well.
This could not have happened at a worse time, but it has been relatively trouble free (and payment free) for many years.
I realistic cost estimate would be appreciated.
Oh, it is a 2.2L with automatic
Hmm other expenses?
New head bolts are suggested.... about $25
Head sounds like it needs resurfacing..... not sure, but I hear ranges of around $75 & below.
Head gasket is only about $20.
Oil change....... to be safe, $20ish. Coolant doesn't lubricate as well as oil, eh?
More coolant... $10ish
Valve cover gasket, if needed, $10.
Hard plastic tubing that's likely to break on the throttle body removing it...... $5 per size/roll.
Just that comes to $165, assuming something bigger isn't wrong..... a local shop wanted close to $1000 to do mine (including parts), just an FYI of shop cost.
^^
yeah, also... most shops that resurface your heads can tell you if its cracked or warped beyond the threshold. They also don't charge any extra when you bring them in for resurfacing.
You also should replace your head bolts. They are Torque-to-yield bolts. They are around $25 dollars at most auto places. Could find them cheaper online I bet.
IIRC Napa actually sells a rebuilt head for around 300 bucks if you dont want to take a chance with the old head. Its a very easy fix. Just take ur time, and follow the manual. goodluck!!
Do I need the entire head gasket set or should I attempt to get by with individual purchases? Which will I definitely need?
The full set runs $100 locally.
Well, head bolts are always purchased seperatly and dont usually come with the kit. I would just say get the whole kit this way there is nothing that you forgot and such. The kit comes with some stuff you wont likely need, but never hurts to have just incase. If the kit is abt 100 just go with that. But you will need valve cover gasket, intake manifold gasket, head gasket, thermostat housing gasket, also a good time to throw a thermostat in, exhaust manifold gasket (depends on how bad it looks when it comes off, but generally there reusable), and do some of the preventative maint. while ur there water pump and such. Then of course your going to need coolant, oil, oil filter, if you going to do plugs and wires (since again, ur there anyways might as well never hurts to start over with a nice fresh top end) and air filter since again, ur doing a major job on the car. But remember these are just my recomendations. If your car overheated, might as well freshin the stuff up that was there. But also, price stuff out, go to the parts stores or call them, and get the prices to the individual parts and such, and the price for the kits. Sometimes the individuals cost a little bit less, and sometimes they cost more. Goodluck, like I said this is a very easy job, and can be finished in a few hours no problem. Just make sure you follow the manual, and u will be fine.
"Goodluck, like I said this is a very easy job, and can be finished in a few hours no problem." ??
It might be possible if youve done it a lot of times and you have everything planned out and know and buy everything you need a head of time. My dad helped me do the job on my 93 Cavi a while back, and if your going to do the job by yourself, i would say at least 5-6 hours of working time. Thats not including any mishaps or trips to the parts store, which will inevitably happen.
I just did my wifes 97 Cavy...Total bill was $900.00 CAD..And that was done at a shop.
That was the head sent out and checked,They also cleaned all valves and installed new valve seals.
New Head bolts,And I got the whole gasket kit so,new Head gasket,intake,Exhaust,thermostat gasket ,And installed a new thermostat.And Valve cover.
Also did the water pump while we were in there just to be safe.
Head was cracked. Split entirely through at the left exhaust port.
I just ordered a rebuilt head, gaskets, and bolts from an Ebay store J & C Cylinder Head Exchange
Hope all goes well.
Head + gasket set + new bolts and free shipping to me and free core return was only $260 for my 507 casting on Ebay. I was extremely surprised.
Big stores here like Autozone were $360 for the head, $100 for the gasket set, and $20 for the bolts.
