head gasket leak...any suggestions?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by Terry, Nov 24, 2004.

  1. Terry

    Terry Guest

    I just took our '00 Saturn wagon in to my local mechanic, 'add coolant'
    light was on,
    a little antifreeze on the garage floor. He put it up on the hoist & said
    looks like it's leaking
    out of the head gasket. -- He put some stop-leak liquid in, for a temporary
    fix.
    Has anyone on this NG replaced a head gasket on one of these? The car only
    has 44K
    on it, so I don't want to lay out a lot of $$in labor to let someone else do
    it, but
    I'd never torn down the engine on one of these....

    Terry
     
    Terry, Nov 24, 2004
    #1
  2. Terry

    Art Guest

    If it were me I would first try Saturn to see if they will pay a share for
    the repair.
     
    Art, Nov 24, 2004
    #2
  3. "Terry" <> typed until their fingers bled, and came
    up with:

    It isn't too bad of a job. takes me about 8 hours to do in my driveway.
     
    Kevin M. Keller, Nov 24, 2004
    #3
  4. Terry

    Terry Guest

    Well I wish you were my neighbor, I'd have you help me do it!
    I have a garage and tools, but I'm used to working on muscle cars,
    I've never did engine work on a 4 cylinder--

    Terry
     
    Terry, Nov 25, 2004
    #4
  5. Terry

    Terry Guest

    I might just try that...I'm the second owner, so I have no warranty
    info whatsoever...but any help that I'd get from Saturn would be great...


    Terry
     
    Terry, Nov 25, 2004
    #5
  6. If you're anywhere near St. Louis, I'd be glad to help.

    just think of it as working on 1/2 of a V-8.
     
    Kevin M. Keller, Nov 25, 2004
    #6
  7. Terry

    just another Guest

    Hint: don't use much muscle! ;-)
     
    just another, Nov 26, 2004
    #7
  8. Terry

    Nick Hull Guest

    If it were me i'd first try re-torquing the head bolts and see it that
    stops the leak. Pull them out one-at-a time and clean & oil them to
    pull the gasket tight.
     
    Nick Hull, Dec 12, 2004
    #8
  9. Terry

    Terry Guest

    I might re-torque the head bolts, I did take the car to a mechanic I know,
    he put in some stop-leak, said if the leak was real small that might stop
    it.
    They then pressure-tested it and it seems okay...I've put almost 1K on it
    since, so far so good---
     
    Terry, Dec 12, 2004
    #9
  10. Terry

    jdoe Guest

    Do NOT try retorquing. IIRC these are torque to yield bolts. You WILL do
    more harm than good. Bite the bullet and replace the gasket.
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Dec 12, 2004
    #10
  11. Terry

    Terry Guest

     
    Terry, Dec 12, 2004
    #11
  12. Terry

    regigi Guest

    well i have a 94 saturn sl, I was told that I can just replace the gasket
    seal, the seal cost about $22. anyone no any thing else different i can
    do.
     
    regigi, Mar 11, 2005
    #12
Ask a Question

Want to reply to this thread or ask your own question?

You'll need to choose a username for the site, which only take a couple of moments (here). After that, you can post your question and our members will help you out.