Head Gasket

[propster]

To make a long story as short as possible: this summer the local shop put a new radiator in my daughter's '97 Suburban. They forgot to put the o-ring back in on oil cooling line and in very short order she ran all the oil out and blew the motor. I have to hand it to them though, they took the hit and agreed to put a used motor in at their expense, except for a few things it could have used anyway which I paid for. Anyway, she's been losing antifreeze the last few weeks so she brought it in for them to look at and they say the head gasket needs replacing. Unfortunately they said the used motor only had a 90 day warranty, so I'm stuck. My question - roughly what should this cost, and is there anybody you'd recommend that does this sort of thing (reputably) on the side in their own garage or something that could use some work, but doesn't charge the high rates of a shop? Many thanks.

[Macgyver55]

Do you trust their diagnosis? Not to say that isn't the case, but head gaskets on 5.7 motors are not a very common problem. What is more often the problem is the intake manifold gasket, a far less costly issue. Before you do anything, I think I'd get a second opinion to verify, then weigh your options.

[BoxMN]

Yep, check the intake, very common. I did that once in mine. About $550 at a good shop, at the time. Since then I have found that it is even something that could be done in my own garage, with some help and some courage

[Jeremy airjer W]

Agreed, I would be far more suspicious of the lower intake gaskets.

[propster]

Hoping you're right, I didn't get a chance at work today to call them and confirm. They told my daughter "gasket" and that we should check the head too if we have it done, so I just assumed. I will call them and get more info.

Box, after I do, let me know when I should come up. I'll bring the liquid courage.

If it is the intake manifold gasket, is it safe to drive any distance?

[Scott K]

propster, I may know of someone who may be interested in a side job. Shoot me an email, if your interested.

[Jeremy airjer W]

is it safe to drive any distance?

As long as there isn't coolant getting into the oil and you don't overheat it, it can be driven.

[propster]

I talked to the shop today. They said intake gasket, and it's leaking by the back left corner as you're looking at it from the front. They said it didn't look like anything was getting in the oil. 4Wandering, I sent you a pm.