So what's the better way to go? I'm due for a HG job (oil leaking of course) and curious to hear some feedback with either; pros or cons, etc. I won't do this job because I don't know how, but my trusted mechanic will.


thanks

 

If the only symptom you have is oil leaking from the top of the engine, Id try tightening the valve covers or replacing valve cover gaskets if that doesn't work first. Any overheating issues or coolant loss that would indicate a failed head gasket?

 

Coolant loss, yes. My landy mechanic said it was not entering the engine, which is great news. Strickly a hose leak he said by the intake manifold. He said it was a $20 hose with about a two hour labor project at about $85 an hour. Not sure if this makes sense to the readers or if I simply did not hear my mechanic correctly on the diagnose.


No spikes in engine temp. Changed the t-stat myself some 6 months ago and went from orange goo to green goo. My UG always reads high 180s with occasional spikes to 202 for short stints. So, I don't believe my engine is overheating.

 

I'm thinking you have misunderstood your mechanic... Your temps are better than normal actually. Also... If my mechanic told me he needed 2 hours to change a hose and wanted to charge me $85 per hour I'd probably slap him in the mouth....Better stay away from that guy.

If all is well now that the leaking hose causing the coolant loss is fixed except for oil leaking from the heads area of the engine, I'm gonna say you dont need a head gasket. At the most, you need to replace the valve cover gaskets, which are located on top of the heads. You could probably get away with just tightening them down a little though. They are notorious for coming loose. 10mm 12 point socket on a small ratchet with a long extension. Give this a try first. It's FREE! And EASY. Anybody that knows their left from their right can do this one. LOL!

 

don't let the coolant leak out.
Look for the leak your self.

 

"I'm due for a HG job" you are not the only one who has been told this. Like head gaskets have a due date.
you either need them or you don't. Rarely with an oil leak have anything to do with head gaskets. Most oil leaks are valve covers or intake gasket or blocked PVC.

I would suggest spraying the whole engine especially the bottom with cleaner and run it threw a car wash that does undercarriages. and see if you can locate the leak when everything is clean.
how far north of boston are you?
an

 

don't make a problem, if it's not there...like ^.
I agree. it does not sound like your hg are the likely problem with oil leaks. you can easily test your cooling system for leaks from the hg and also for exhaust coolant infiltration. it is diy friendly testing. oil leaking from the top end is usually the valve covers. vibration loosens those little bolts. like drow said "clean it off" you will soon see the source at the seem.

as for your title machine or reman.
find a good auto machine shop and have the heads checked over and addressed where needed. your mech will have a place he uses. but this is for when you actually have a head gasket failure.

 

Don't open a can of worms if you don't need to.

Check the simple stuff first, perhaps rent a pressure tester and pressure test the coolant system to see where exactly the leak is?

 

One of these hoses, the short one, for the throttle-body heater is pretty hard to get to. Also, I've seen the heater hoses almost GLUED on (it felt like it anyway). I could see either of those hoses being quoted at north of an hour of labor.

 

To Drow...I live in Boxford; northshore.


I had my landy mechanic perform P/T test on the rad, informing him that I was losing coolant at the rate of about 2 oz. a month. He performed the test for me (he also did some repairs) and stated that I had a leak in one of the hoses. Again, he said it was a $20 dollar hose, but between 1 to 2 hours of labor to get it replaced.


I am losing oil of about 1 qt every 6 weeks. So I also asked my mechanic to tell me where the leak was coming from and he replied that I was in need to a full on HG job. From what I can tell the leak/weeping is coming from the driver's side engine bay area. What I can't pinpoint is where specifically the weeping is coming from valve cover area or HG area. I trust my landy mechanic, but I'll probably get a 2nd opinion on this.


I like the idea of zipping through a car wash that will blast and clean of the belly of the engine. Gotta find a car wash around here that does that. It is pretty oily down below. And hopefully once clean, I can see where the oil weeping is coming from.


Is performing a P/T on the rad that easy to conduct? Can I get a decent kit at Harbor Freight? Never did a P/T test before on the rad, but did learn how to do an oil P/T. Man that was a PITA to unscrew and screw in the plug! Anyway....keep the comments coming.....appreciate them very much.