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| Replace Head Gasket or Use Sealant?; Leak...Head Gasket | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 11 2017, 01:10 PM (1,723 Views) | |
| Phoenix | Jul 11 2017, 01:10 PM Post #1 |
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New Member
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Not sure if this is the correct section for this, but...sent in my 1997 LSi Geo Metro Hatchback to the shop again to see why the MPGs were so low. Shop owner's assistant called me back today, a week later, and said that the head gasket is leaking and that the car is losing compression. Said that it is an exterior leak and not an interior one; no idea how extensive it is. This is the source of the leak from what I had been wondering about before. The shop is cheap, but they only do cash or personal checks. They did previous work on the car. Said that they could bring it down to $1195 for changing the timing belt and replacing the head gasket. Problem is...wasn't expecting this. I figured I might be paying $200 or $300. I've already poured $2000 into this car so far (makes me wonder if I should have just gotten a different vehicle). Bought it for food delivery, so I wouldn't run my 2011 Dodge Avenger into the ground (use this for Lyft and personal use instead). I could do a payment plan apparently...just keep racking up debt. But my question is, should I try a sealant first? I literally know nothing about cars and have read that replacing a head gasket can take days...not something for a novice. Plus I park my cars on the street. I live in an apartment complex and have no garage. Any idea on what should be done? And best sealant? Reading about Blue Devil and Steel Seal. Thanks!! |
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| 1DCGUY | Jul 11 2017, 01:34 PM Post #2 |
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Don't be a "Richard"
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Where in Minnesota are you located? |
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| Phoenix | Jul 11 2017, 02:06 PM Post #3 |
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Minneapolis. Actually went up to Brainerd (in my Dodge) last Wednesday. Saw a guy in a Geo Metro that said FRSTY and had www.geometroforum.com plastered on the back of his car. Haha. |
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| tribrid | Jul 11 2017, 02:26 PM Post #4 |
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Metromerized
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That is too much for a head gasket and timing belt. If you know somebody mechanically inclined maybe the two of you could fix it using help as needed from the forum. BTW I never heard of an exterior leaking headgasket? |
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| 1DCGUY | Jul 11 2017, 02:32 PM Post #5 |
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Don't be a "Richard"
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PM member smysmbrg. He is a mechanic in the cities, and may be able to help you. If not, bring that bad boy to the Minnesota meet in August, and we will fix you up. |
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| Phoenix | Jul 11 2017, 03:13 PM Post #6 |
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New Member
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I figured that was the case too considering this is supposed to be a fairly simple car to work on. @1DCGUY Awesome, I'll do that. I need the car to be working ASAP...every day is more miles and gas put on my current vehicle, which I want to avoid. Thanks!! |
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| Crvett69 | Jul 11 2017, 03:38 PM Post #7 |
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3 or 4 cyl? |
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| Phoenix | Jul 11 2017, 04:17 PM Post #8 |
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3 cyl |
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| Moringa | Jul 11 2017, 04:29 PM Post #9 |
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Living BOT
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I have never seen sealant do anything on an exterior leak, where a loss of compression is the diagnosis. I don't know how much history you have on the vehicle. There are a few simple thing you could try, unless you're already planning on doing the full job. You could check to make sure some goof ball didn't try to reuse the old head bolts. Stretch bolts should be replaced every time the head is pulled. (I have heard that OEMs can be reused, maybe once, but I won't try this myself.) The same goof ball may not have chased some pretty cruddy head bolt threads, and ended up with an inaccurate torque setting, due to head bolt binding. If he's extra goofy, you may even find one head bolt missing. In this kind of situation, putting in new head bolts, without doing anything else, MIGHT, and I stress MIGHT fix it. Some people here are on a major budget, and do try to circumvent the best, or appropriate repair.
Edited by Moringa, Jul 11 2017, 04:34 PM.
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| MetroKid | Jul 11 2017, 05:17 PM Post #10 |
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There's a guy on YouTube Imperial beach dad I think was his name he's got a pretty good how to on head gasket repair for the 3 cyl |
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| Scoobs | Jul 11 2017, 05:36 PM Post #11 |
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:D
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Sounds like that shop just wants to take you for a ride, hard and with sandpaper. |
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| geogonfa | Jul 11 2017, 06:14 PM Post #12 |
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Wow..."$1195 for changing the timing belt and replacing the head gasket" ...I am really really not charging enough...and a head gasket leaking externally is rare for a Metro. With as many GMF members in the land of lakes, hopefully someone can help at least give you a proper diagnosis...My .02...don't use any kind of sealant, quick fixes rarely work, it most likely will not cure it and more likely damage other components...
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| MR1 Kingsbury | Jul 11 2017, 06:21 PM Post #13 |
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Exp. builder/rebuilder
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This doesn't make sense to me.... If the shop were cheap and had worked on it before, they should have priced that right. timing belt, oil pump and head gasket should cost about 150 total... 5-6 hours labor... another 600. 1200 is way outta line there. |
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| JellyBeanDriver | Jul 11 2017, 09:48 PM Post #14 |
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Compression leak and 'external and not internal' makes no sense. Either he's pulling your leg or you heard it wrong. |
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| Moringa | Jul 11 2017, 10:17 PM Post #15 |
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Living BOT
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I agree, it does sound weird. This is one of the reasons I threw the "missing head bolt" idea out. Then there would be a more obvious path for compression, right into the bolt hole, and into the valve cover area. If it isn't this, then what he really meant was it isn't leaking into the coolant jacket area. If you remove a "through the valve" leak, and into the coolant leak, then it could be a between the cylinders gasket leak, which he may have forgotten. This is assuming it's not flying by the rings. Just for info's sake, I have seen the compression leak to the exterior, and a hissing sound, ONCE. On the 1.0L, there may not be a "clear path" from the combustion chamber, so it becomes very improbable. |
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3:49 AM Jul 11