So, the head gasket in my 2000 Honda Accord LX V6 3.0L finally blew last month. I'm assuming that it's the head gasket, being that my car completely overheated and almost stalled, had white smoke coming out of the exhaust, and, now, will not even start and run. So, I'm curious about what I should/could even try to do with the car now.


1.) About how much should the parts and labor cost to get done?
2.) Is it a generally good idea to try to find a private mechanic? Or only go through a mechanic shop?
3.) Is it likely even worth replacing the head gasket on a 2000 Accord with 265,000 miles on it?
4.) Is it likely that other parts also need to be replaced/additional work needs to be done?


For the record, my Accord apparently had some head gasket issues for the past several months, so that's why I am specifically worried about there potentially/likely being other damage to the motor, since the car had been overheating severely, on several/dozens of occasions, over the past 8 months or so. The reason I am saying this is because my car would often get really hot while making my drive to and from work (which is brutal, 76 miles each way, through mountain ranges and up and down some serious hills), and the plastic radiator overflow tank literally melted/exploded on two different times. After I posted about this on here, and also mentioned it to a mechanic while getting my oil changed, I was told that this was likely due to a head gasket leak and combustion fuel getting in to the cooling system, which was causing the fluid in the cooling system to get much hotter than it usually gets, and that's why the plastic overflow tank melted and exploded twice.

So, with this information, should I even try to get the head gasket repaired? If so, what would be the best/cheapest way to get it done? FYI, I do not have the tools, knowledge, nor patience try to do a job like this, and money is an issue, so that's why I'm trying to find out what may be the cheapest way to pay to get it fixed properly; if it's even worth trying to get the work done, that is.

Also, if the head gasket repair is too expensive (which is very likely, being that I would have trouble even coming up with $500-$600 right now), or if that work alone is probably not even worth doing, about how much could I realistically get for my Accord?

It's a 2000 Honda Accord LX V6 3.0L with 265,000 miles on it. Overall, it's in pretty good condition, inside and outside, but the hood is faded/ugly. All the power windows work properly, as does/did the A/C and heater. What's a realistic expectation of about how much I might be able to sell the car for, in its current condition and needing the head gasket repaired?

As always, sorry for the lengthy post. And I would really appreciate some helpful replies!

 

If the engine overheated, then it is most likely both heads may need to be rebuilt, at that price point you may as well find a low mileage JDM import engine as a better value. And you would wind the clock back about 200Kmiles.

 

Head gaskets basically only fail when overheated. You're going to need to fix the overheating issue before putting a new engine in. I would go jdm. Keep in mind there are two heads on your engine.

 

Thank you very much for the replies. I'm curious about a few things with regards to getting a used motor, so if you guys wouldn't mind replying again, I would really appreciate it.

1.) About how much should I expect to pay for a used JDM engine? $400-$500? $600-$800? More?
2.) Should I be able to get one in the Phoenix, Arizona, area, at a reasonable price? Any suggestions about where I should try to get one from?
3.) Being that my Accord LX is a V6 3.0L, would I have to get another V6? Or would a 4-cylinder engine also work?
4.) About how much should I expect to have to pay to have a new engine installed? And should I only go through a mechanic shop?
5.) What would/should I do with my old engine?


Also, if I can't realistically afford to buy a used JDM motor and have it installed, which is very likely, what would you guys suggest I try to do with my 2000 Accord LX? Do you guys have any idea what I might realistically be able to sell it for as-is, with a blown head gasket? Is $750 reasonable and realistic? $500? Less than $500?

 

Depends on where you get it from. But I would suspect 600(local)-1000(shipped). Check the known good importers, they may not have all engines listed on their websites. J30A1 is your engine. You may luck out and find a low-mileage granny car that was wrecked, try car-part.com as well. Try to avoid front end impacted vehicles, cranks don't like sudden stops.
I don't see why not. Most importers will drop ship. Had my replacement drop shipped, they said 'curb' but the delivery guys helped with bringing it into the garage.
Have to get a J30A1 V6 for easy replacement. 2.3 power/drivetrain/wiring is a completely different setup between the two engine types.
Call around to local mechanics and see how much the want. There may be someone who has experience with such a replacement and can have you back on the road in a couple days.
Don't 'have to' unless the sellers warranty calls for a certified mechanic to install. Hondas are Legos, if you have any friends family that have a decent set of tools and some experience it's very doable.
Use it as a counterweight for a trebuchet.
Lawn art
Remove heads and crank, instant six plant potter.
Strip the block, have it cleaned at a machine shop. If the aluminum is stained, paint it aluminum color. Purchase counter glass in the correct size. Engine coffee table.
Convince the local art museum it's a work called 'Heated Failure', Description - Tribulation of a Honda Accord owner. By AzAssassin(2018)... **** I should do that...
Check local machine shops for any interest in part or whole.
Sell it for scrap(aluminum).
Rebuild it in your spare time as a hobby/project. Keep it for later use, sell it as is... use it as a weight in a trebuchet...

Look at what running V6LX Accords go for in your area, deduct the cost of the engine replacement(not the total cost just parts), list it on Craigslist. Or donate it to a charity, usually $500 for heaps, $1000 for running registered cars, tax write-off.

The car is already a sunk cost. It's not really a question of 'can you afford to fix it' its a question of 'can you afford NOT to fix it'.
If you can find another V6LX(or comparable make/model) in the same condition and wear for the cost of the engine replacement(don't forget registration fees as well). But the problem with a 'new' used car will have it's own set of unique problems unless you have a full history of the cars maintenance and you have an owner who is honest.

FWIW;
When the '95 EX engine took a dump it was a no brainer that the $1K in parts spent on replacing the engine would be far cheaper than trying to locate a car with comparable options and a known history.
When picking up the '97 EX It was a low mileage car, just had the trans replaced, and I knew who owned it. Granted the front bumper was mangled and it was a City car with dings all around, the condition of the suspension/drivetrain/engine/interior was well worth the total outlay of $2K, the trans was worth at least $500. Even after registration and replacing the front wheel bearings it was still under $2500 for a car that would not need any service(outside of fluids) for the next 100Kmiles. Only downside of the car was it was grandma gold/beige interior, totally pedestrian.