Head gasket gone on my Astra. £800 repair bill.

[Calumcco]

If it is only 2 miles away, just fill it with tap water and drive home.

It won't get near to normal operating temp, let alone overheat, again.

But what do I do with it once its home though?

 

[Calumcco]

By the way, when I am looking at houses again in the new year I will come and say hello to you

You're more than welcome anytime. .

 

[Calumcco]

I wont sleep a wink now tonight. Either way I have a decision to make tomorrow which is a very important decision.

I can either...

1. Leave it where it is and get ripped off but repaired hopefully.

2. Risk taking it back onto the road and to another garage and risk breaking down and feeling the wrath of the RAC

3. Risk taking it back onto the road and to another garage who quote me the same and for what reason will that have been?

4. Risk removing it from the garage and driving it home and leaving it to collect moss and rot...

 

[LostKiwi]

I wont sleep a wink now tonight. Either way I have a decision to make tomorrow which is a very important decision.

I can either...

1. Leave it where it is and get ripped off but repaired hopefully.

2. Risk taking it back onto the road and to another garage and risk breaking down and feeling the wrath of the RAC

3. Risk taking it back onto the road and to another garage who quote me the same and for what reason will that have been?

4. Risk removing it from the garage and driving it home and leaving it to collect moss and rot...

You missed one...

5. Phone around a few garages and ask how much to replace a head gasket, then get them to collect from where it is and repair it and you collect from them when done.

 

[LostKiwi]

Just one quick question - what were the symptoms?

 

[om613]

But what do I do with it once its home though?

I find the 'Chez Nous' option takes the pressure off somewhat, it allows you to ponder the best route at your leisure, so to speak.

My wife would disagree with all of that.

 

[Calumcco]

Just one quick question - what were the symptoms?

Burning smell. Car didn't want to pick up any speed. Smoke coming from somewhere, shuddering, erratic gear change.

 

[grahamcol]

For what it's worth I also agree that £800 seems to be a rip off and the place where the car is appears to be taking advantage and under the impression you have no choice but to give them the work. Please do try the mobile guy or another reputable garage. You have nothing to lose by asking. And good luck.

 

[Boxbrownie]

I wish my phone wasn't broken. I would ask one of you guys to call me to discuss but I can't.

Doesn't anyone have a landline anymore?

 

[Boxbrownie]

Burning smell. Car didn't want to pick up any speed. Smoke coming from somewhere, shuddering, erratic gear change.

Had the RAC/AA man not said head gasket, I'd have said clutch...well at least with those symptoms.

But feet on the ground are usually more accurate.

 

[LostKiwi]

Burning smell. Car didn't want to pick up any speed. Smoke coming from somewhere, shuddering, erratic gear change.

Overheating as well? You said earlier there was an oil leak onto front of the engine causing smoke - thats not normally headgasket.

I would do this:
1. Go to car and refill the coolant.
2. Try to see where the oil leak is. Clean the area with a rag to
3. Leave coolant cap off the tank. Start the car and allow the level to settle.
4. Watch for bubbling of the coolant or it gushing from the coolant tank.
5. Look also for steam in the exhaust gasses.

If you have bubbles in the coolant (or it gushes out immediately the engine starts) and steam in the exhaust the head gasket is toast. If it gushes out immediately then the car cannot be driven. If its just a few bubbles you can probably drive it home. stopping to replenish water after a mile if necessary or if the temperature rises above normal.

 

[triumphstag]

I would not worry about upsetting the RAC quite frankly.

The car should make it 2 miles with a blown head gasket.

Ultimately, moving the car is not the problem.

Phone round a few garages. Get a price. From there work out what garage you would like to do the work.

Also call the mobile mechanic. Head gaskets can be changed on the street! (I have done one in a lay-by in days gone by).

Once you have decided who you want to do the work, then work out how to move the car. Most garages will offer some form of recovery service.

Worst case as it is only likely to be a few miles, there are a number of pound per mile recovery services that can move it for you....

If you spend £100 payning someone to move it and someone else £400 to do the work, then you are still £300 up!!!!

The only thing to worry about at the moment is the longer you leave it at the £800 garage..... They might want to charge you storage (not unreasonable) also, you may already owe them some money for diagnostic work they have already done.

Get calling other garages, get prices.

Ultimately, get the car home to take the pressure off yourself. You cannot leave it with that garage indefinitely.

 

[yorkshire1]

for what the cars worth and for the sake of about £25 its probably worth getting hold of a good bottle of gasket/head sealer, I havent looked for a while now to see whats about, theres allsorts of "magic" formulae

about 15 years ago I bought some from usa for a friend of mine with a lucida it took about 40 miles to work then ran as right as rain for the next 2 years that he had it, worth a try anyway

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Worth a try...loads of products on fleabay and amazon, need to check compatibility with your engine before use...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K-SEAL-UL...ML-/262011130636?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

for what the cars worth and for the sake of about £25 its probably worth getting hold of a good bottle of gasket/head sealer, I havent looked for a while now to see whats about, theres allsorts of "magic" formulae

about 15 years ago I bought some from usa for a friend of mine with a lucida it took about 40 miles to work then ran as right as rain for the next 2 years that he had it, worth a try anyway

 

[AMGeed]

Forget throwing another penny on that Astra and spend £300 or less on this.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/clas...1997-c200-estate-only-%A3300-open-offers.html

 

[LostKiwi]

Forget throwing another penny on that Astra and spend £300 or less on this.

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/clas...1997-c200-estate-only-%A3300-open-offers.html

Have to say that looks pretty tidy. MOT History isn't too onerous either.

Hmmm......

 

[AMGeed]

Have to say that looks pretty tidy. MOT History isn't too onerous either.

Hmmm......

Go for it. I doubt Calum will be interested. He isn't so good on taking good advice given to him if the past is anything to go by.

 

[LostKiwi]

Go for it. I doubt Calum will be interested. He isn't so good on taking good advice given to him if the past is anything to go by.

Other half would kill me for having 3 cars again!

 

[Peter De La Mare]

As I suggested, leasing a new small car for £99 a month is best for you as you are, by far, the last person on the planet that should be driving classic cars. The cost in the long run in both financial and stress/aggro terms will be far less.

 

[BAZZER1]

Hi Craig. To be fair though a head gasket could easily have gone on any potential car I bought. It happened on my old 300CE-24 which I was advised to buy by MB members!!! But in that case the car had done 197932 miles not the 36194 that my Astra has done now.

How can a car in such good shape with hardly any miles suddenly blow a gasket?

On a slightly lighter note as its New Year, My Wife is in good shape, but she still blows a Gasket occasionally

HAPPY NEW YEAR Calumcco

BAZZER1