I have a 95 del sol s which my daughter has been driving for a couple years. The radiator went bad about a year ago, and it overheated. We replaced the radiator. Garage said the engine was oK.

Since then we have had trouble about every 2-3 months with overheating (nothing else but overheating). Every time, the garage fixed something different - new thermostat (x2), new water pump, new radiator cap, new hoses, etc.....After the repair was made the car always ran fine for 2-3 months. The garage always said the head gasket was OK.

The car overheated again a week ago, and the garage said the head gasket was blown.

They gave me a quote for $1100 to replace the head gasket, including timing belt or chain and pump, I beleive. About $400 was labor. The head gasket set was quoted at between $200-300. Is any of this reasonable?

If I have the head gasket repaired, will it be reliable?
(I love the car, but I can't continue to pay to replace another part every 2 months. )

I need advice!

Thanks much,
Maureen57

 

You can pick up the necessary parts for the timing belt and head gasket change for right around $300 total. Labour charges vary, but I wouldn't pay $800 for the job. Cost aside, my first suggestion would be to fine a new shop to deal with. It sounds as if your current one is somewhat lacking if they've been unable to correctly diagnose and repair your issue after numerous shop visits. You'll also get a better feel for what the pricing should be like. Is this a Honda dealership, or some other shop?

 

Thanks for the answer. This isn't a dealship. The shop said that they did a specific test to see if the gasket was blown. Something about combustion gas in the cooling system, something turning color - similar to a test strip. They said this was the first time that the test came back positive.

Do you think the head gasket was blown all along?

 

Maybe they're trying to screw you.

Check your coolant and see if it looks milky brown.

Prior to overheating was there a lot (I mean like a huge cloud) of white smoke coming out your tailpipe?

Was it a compression test or a leak down test they did?

How many miles are on the car/engine?

 

It seems like they did an Engine block test. You can buy that kit at NAPA. Basically it comes with liquid and this bulb. Pressurize the radiator with the bulb and the liquid in it and it mixes with the coolant. The liquid then turns a color after a few minutes.....anyways, I would definitely try a different shop though.

Good Luck!