I have a 1997 Discovery with 118,000 miles on it. I have had it about a year now and put 8,000 miles on it. I had it in for service and am being told that I need a new head gasket and timing cover gasket. As I'm sure you know this isn't going to be a cheap repair. I don't know the previous service history of the vehicle. I'm looking for input. Is it worth the $2400+ that I will need to put into it or should I write it off as a lost cause? If I don't get it repaired what should I do? Run it until it dies? Other than these problems the vehicle seems to be in very good share. Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

 

Head gasket should run around $1500. Front cover should be around $300.

You can do both in a weekend if you have the tools and a garage. You have realtively low mileage, and to me, I would fix it. Just depends on how much you like your truck. I assume it is paid for. Even if you spend the $$ to fix, can you get something you want for $4K? I say keep it and fix it.

 

do the work yourself for under a G. Make yourself happy, make your truck happy,... so happy together...

 

Ba dap pa paaa, ba dap pa paaa. Ba dap pa paaa, ba dap pa paaa . . .

 

I would love to do the work myself and that was my intent when I bought the vehicle. However, my ex now has the garage and a lot of the tools. I don't have a place I can work on it any more. I do love the truck and it is paid for. I'm just wondering how much money I should put into it. Maybe I should run it until it dies? And then find another one? Thanks.

 

you can buy all the tools you need, the gaskets you need and still not spend more than a G... i say fix it. plus you will have the tools for future use.

 

The money you put into it is like buying it again. It isn't worth squat with all of those leaks. $1K at the most. Put your money back into it.

Shop around for prices. You should find cheaper. Tell them it is just a pushrod Buick V8, nothing scary.