So here's a potentially stupid question but I'm going to ask it anyway ... because I have bled my engine three times in the last three months and each time the sound of water under the dash comes back within a few days. So I know I have a leak to address as well.

I'm pretty sure the upper IM gasket was replaced 3k miles ago when the plug wires were changed, and if not it was changed along with the TB heater gasket 9k miles ago b/c the dealer said they were leaking. So that leaves the head or lower IM (valley) gaskets as potential culprits.

So here's the question ...

ON AN ENGINE OF THIS AGE / MILEAGE ... if you are going to tear the engine down to the point that you can replace the valley gasket, isn't the most economic choice to go ahead and bite the bullet and replace the head gaskets as well?

Otherwise, don't you run the risk of having to tear the whole thing apart again when you need head gaskets, probably a few miles further down the road given the reputation of this engine, and then the money you replaced to go 60% of the way there is wasted?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

 

Very interesting about the 'valley' gasket.

Are there any gaskets OTHER than the head gaskets that could result in your engine burning coolant? Here's my SHORT story:

Two months ago, I had a guy replace my plugs and wires. Afterward, he mentioned something casually about how he re-used some gasket for the intake manifold, and he didn't think it was damaged, but he smeared a little stuff on anyway.

It bugged me, because I've always felt that you might as well just replace gaskets if you get to them.... ANYWAY:

It's been leaking and burning coolant more and more lately. I've been convinced it was my head gasket on the drivers side, because the coolant drips off the catalytic converter on that side, and my engine idles rough when cold, and it smokes white smoke for the first 2 minutes in the morning.

I tried having a garage look for the leak, but they couldn't find anything... I don't think they looked very hard.

Could any gasket OTHER than the head-gasket cause this?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Pat

 

read my previous post. if you have it apart you might as well do em all. its the labor that costs the most wether its personal or a shop. the gaskets are cheap in comparison.

 

Update: dealership says leaking mostly from intake and head gaskets are leaking as well. on top of that they want to replace timing cover, waterpump, throttle body heater gasket and recondition exhaust valves. yikes!all for $4300. I told them to hold off while I shop around. Im currently calling mechanics. Anyone know of when in the Delaware Valley area? Please help

 

Damn stealerships