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To Fix Up or Trade Up, That is the Question

863 messages,  Last post on May 20, 2013 at 7:19 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Safety, Tires, Wheels, Auto Body, Brakes, Engine, Interior, Paint, Transmission, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Buying Insurance, Coupe, Convertible, Hatchback, Truck, Sedan, Wagon, SUV, Van

Messages Page 78 of 87

#765 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2012 (8:45 am)

Replying to: rmsarma (Jul 12, 2012 8:09 am)
Very marginal...I'm leaning towards saying "no, don't fix it". My reasoning is based on the mileage, and also the fact that reconditioning new cylinder heads atop an old high mileage engine is risky...
 
Has the vehicle been properly diagnosed or are people guessing? Has a compression test or cylinder leakdown test been taken and have you been shown the results?

#766 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by qbrozen

Jul 12, 2012 (10:05 am)

Replying to: rmsarma (Jul 12, 2012 8:09 am)
I pick option C. No way you should put $4k into it, but you shouldn't junk it, either. If the car is nice otherwise, put it up for sale and a mechanically inclined person will give you more for it than a junkyard.

#767 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [Mr_Shiftright] by rmsarma

Jul 12, 2012 (11:16 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 12, 2012 8:45 am)
the dealer diagnosis
 
# replace cylinder head (leaking combustion at spark plug hole bank 2)
# replace valve cover gasket - i guess this is default when you replace a head
 
Posted image of the top
 
link title

#768 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2012 (1:11 pm)

Replying to: rmsarma (Jul 12, 2012 11:16 am)
So if it blew a spark plug why not just remove that one head and helicoil it at a machine shop?

#769 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [Mr_Shiftright] by rmsarma

Jul 12, 2012 (3:55 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 12, 2012 1:11 pm)
any suggestions to find someone reliable in the bay area to do this job, i polled a few shops they would like to work with a new head rather than recondition the old one.

#770 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2012 (5:46 pm)

Replying to: rmsarma (Jul 12, 2012 3:55 pm)
Well how 'bout Japan Auto Repair in San Rafael?
 
I think a new head is like $700 bucks but then you have to do a valve job--that's just a bare head. But still, if you can get in under $2K, that's cheaper than buying some crapola used car for $2K.
 
This presumes your car is otherwise in pretty nice shape. If your crate also needs tires, a windshield, bodywork, paint, etc.---then nah, let 'er go.

#771 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [Mr_Shiftright] by rmsarma

Aug 02, 2012 (4:20 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 12, 2012 5:46 pm)
Couldn't get these guys to respond... any other places that you recommend Mr.Shiftright... i thought this was going to be easy to find someone outside to fix the car apparently there are challenges, i was thinking should i try diy buy two heads and gasket and replace it without bringing the engine down... any thoughts...

#772 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 02, 2012 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: rmsarma (Aug 02, 2012 4:20 pm)
Try Askim's Auto Works in San Rafael. Jim Askim is an ace of a guy--he usually works on Subarus but will often take other makes if his work load isn't too heavy. Very trustworthy man. He pulled and overhauled the engine on my former car--blown head gaskets.

#773 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [Mr_Shiftright] by rmsarma

Aug 03, 2012 (9:42 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 02, 2012 6:36 pm)
Just left a msg thx anybody from southbay would need to tow the car from san jose area

#774 of 863 Re: Blown cylinder head - 2000 infiniti i30t [rmsarma] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 03, 2012 (10:26 am)

Replying to: rmsarma (Aug 03, 2012 9:42 am)
Jim would easily save you the $100 tow fee.

Messages Page 78 of 87

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