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Car Forum / Pontiac / Pontiac Cars / November 2005Head Gasket Problem, '02 Pontiac Grand Prix
I'm currently attending college in upstate New York, about 200 miles from my home (and my regular mechanic). During the past week or two, I would occasionally smell antifreeze after parking my car (a 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix), but I figured it could wait until Thanksgiving break, when I could take it to my mechanic and get it taken care of. Apparently not. I brought my car to get an oil change today, and about 30 seconds after pulling the car into the garage the mechanic came into the waiting room holding a plastic cap in his hand and told me that he wasn't going to change the oil because there was a problem with my head gasket, and antifreeze was getting mixed into my oil. He recommended that I take it to a mechanic as soon as possible and get it repaired to prevent my motor from getting destroyed. The problem is that I'm far from my regular mechanic and I'm pretty uneasy about driving 200 miles home with a damaged head gasket. So I'm curious about how much a repair is likely to cost and I'm wondering if there's anything I should know about this kind of problem before I start looking for a mechanic. I realize the details I've given are kind of vague, but my knowledge of head gaskets (and engines in general) is pretty limited. Are there any national chains that I should look into for this kind of work, or, better yet, does anyone have any recommendations of good mechanics in the Capital District of New York? Thanks, Bill What engine in the car 3.4 if so it is much more likely it is an intake gasket than a head gasket. To be sure, if no one recommends a mech. I would let a GM dealer do this. Post back which engine , the 3800 is an entirely different issue. PS, I am in the Lake George are, by coincidence. I would not drive this period or the engine will suffer internal damage, if coolant has reached the oil!!! > I'm currently attending college in upstate New York, about 200 miles > from my home (and my regular mechanic). During the past week or two, I [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Thanks, > Bill It looks like it's a 3100. Right, I don't plan to drive it at all except for the trip to the mechanic's. I'm a little worried that I may have already done damage though, since I've been driving it for at least a week without any idea what was happening. Bill, I just happen to live in the area. You can try H&V Autocare in Troy, but I think they're focusing more on collision repair these days. If they tell you they won't, see if they have a place they suggest. I've done business with them in the past, they're a good shop and are not in business to gouge customers. You can also try Mark's automotive in Clifton Park, I know they do some major mechanical repairs, and I even got a quote for HG replacement several years ago. You can also ask around, even with your professors, see who people at the school suggest. If all else fails, try the Pontiac/GMC dealer on Rte. 9 in Latham or New Country Pontiac/GMC/Buick in Mechanicville (just bought my car there). Whatever you do, don't tell them what the other shop said, just mention that you THINK you have coolant in your oil but want it diagnosed and repaired. If you tell them it's the HG's, they'll repair that, even if it turns out to be only the intake gaskets. >I'm currently attending college in upstate New York, about 200 miles >from my home (and my regular mechanic). During the past week or two, I [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >Thanks, >Bill Cool, thanks for the advice. I'm lacking enough in common sense that I probably would have gone in and mentioned the head gasket. :) I'll give those guys a call. Bill >Cool, thanks for the advice. I'm lacking enough in common sense that I >probably would have gone in and mentioned the head gasket. :) I'll >give those guys a call. > >Bill I would not drive the vehicle at all...not even to the repair facility. Find someone to fix it and have it towed in. Coolant and bearings do not get along well at all. This is one of those cases where a $30 tow could save you a $3k engine. Steve B. > I'm currently attending college in upstate New York, about 200 miles > from my home (and my regular mechanic). During the past week or two, I [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > Thanks, > Bill Very unlikely its a head gasket. Very probable its the intake gaskets. If there is water in the oil, then don't drive it unless its a very short trip to the mech/tech. I'm curious how you made out with this. Did you find a shop and get it fully diagnosed? What shop did you use? >I'm currently attending college in upstate New York, about 200 miles >from my home (and my regular mechanic). During the past week or two, I [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] >Thanks, >Bill |
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