Hi all, been a while since I've been here, wish it were for a better reason. Head gasket just blew on a 2000 X v6 w/ 212K on it. On my way up to Tahoe last week (New Year's Day nevertheless) the radiator cracked all the way across the top spewing coolant all over the motor. Got her towed to the local Napa who had one in stock (lucky me). Replaced it in the parking lot and made it another 300+ miles no problem. I kept an eye on the coolant level and realized I had to keep adding about 20oz or so every day. Yesterday realized the overflow tank was completely full. Began diagnosing. Coolant smells of exhaust and there looks to be exhaust actually in the overflow tank. No overheating issues until today - going uphill on the freeway the temp spiked about 3/4 of the way up. Clearly a head gasket based on the symptoms. Still driving it around town, it's my only car, just monitoring the temp and refilling before I start every drive :/ (no milky oil, guess it blew outward)
My mechanic buddy is deployed, won't be back till April and I'm not quite comfy enough to do this on my own. We supercharged my 240 and I have a bit of skill but it's been a while and he walked me through every step. So, a shop I trust wants about $1600 to replace gaskets and machine head, they said they'd just charge me for parts if I also want to do water pump, thermostat, and timing belt.
Question is - should I have them do it? 212K miles, I've always maintained her. Had the tranny & clutch replaced about 40K miles ago, everything else seems to be working great. If I did have them do it I'd have the additional items I mentioned done also. I think she'd be good for at least another 100K.
Other question - what about just saving the $ and dumping a bottle of Blue Devil in there? I've seen some good remarks on here about that stuff. What are the negatives to using that? (is it or will it be detrimental to anything in the motor?)
Sorry for the long post, been a hell of a start to the new year.
My mechanic buddy is deployed, won't be back till April and I'm not quite comfy enough to do this on my own. We supercharged my 240 and I have a bit of skill but it's been a while and he walked me through every step. So, a shop I trust wants about $1600 to replace gaskets and machine head, they said they'd just charge me for parts if I also want to do water pump, thermostat, and timing belt.
Question is - should I have them do it? 212K miles, I've always maintained her. Had the tranny & clutch replaced about 40K miles ago, everything else seems to be working great. If I did have them do it I'd have the additional items I mentioned done also. I think she'd be good for at least another 100K.
Other question - what about just saving the $ and dumping a bottle of Blue Devil in there? I've seen some good remarks on here about that stuff. What are the negatives to using that? (is it or will it be detrimental to anything in the motor?)
Sorry for the long post, been a hell of a start to the new year.
