AutoXer

Hey all... My Mom stopped by today for Easter brunch, and her temp gauge is running about 3/4 (between normal and overheat.) It's constantly at that level. I filled up the coolant, but that didn't make much difference.

I've replaced the T-stat in my 2000 quite a few times, but it's always overheating or not heating up. I've never had an experience running consistantly hot. What could this be? Anyone have this happen?

Thanks in advance

katzenjammer84

Thermostat isn't opening, most likely. But the D17 is also known for blown/leaky headgaskets, so that is also a realistic possibility.

Curiouz_G

how many miles are on the car? Its most likely the head gasket.

zxzxmikexzxz

If ur losing coolant and running hot, its probly the head gasket

AutoXer

DAMMIT! It's got over 100K, and it was out of coolant when I looked at it. That would make sense.

What kind of job is this? How much might it run at a dealer / shop?

lite1979

I would recommend doing it yourself, but please, please, please get new head studs! It'll probably run you about $700 at a shop...

AutoXer

I'm just not sure if I have the time... but I'm not sure how involved it is since I don't have the service manual for this car.

How long of a job is it? Is there a writeup anywhere?

timy04civ

im looking at doing a head job my self,and having something u can run arnd in mint be a good idea!!! a buddy just got his done at a shop and he paid 1000,so...

AutoXer

Anyone?

zxzxmikexzxz

Ive never found a DIY on a headgasket for d17. If your going to do it yourself youll definitly need a good bit of tools, a garage, and at least a haynes manual. If you dont have any mechanical experiance, i dont recomend doing it yourself, unless youve got some help. Also depending on how long the gasket has been leaking, you may have to have the head resurfaced.

JDM JETSMAN

Just had the same problem on my 03 ex with 110k, got a new head gasket put in at a shop along with a few other things and it was 1500! From what I hear it's pretty rough to DIY, I recommend taking it somewhere.

AutoXer

I have no shortage of tools or experience, but I am lacking the manual (and free time.) Since it's not my car, I'd have to do a weekend job of it and I didn't want to get stuck in the middle without some widget remover or such. I guess I'll suck it up and get the factory manual; or just take it to the shop and keep working on my house projects.

Thanks all