I have been told that my head gasket is on its way out on my 1996 Jap Import STi wagon

Does anyone know the rough cost of getting this fixed, or what the car would be worth selling it now with this work needing to be done? Also, can anyone recommend anyone in the Surrey area to get this sorted???? Thanks

 

You have been told!?
Please post your problems first...

Selling now; About £6-800
Head gasket... £350 upwards

 

Basically, every few days after an hour commute steam will be coming out from the front of the car yet it isn't overheating but the coolant level drops significantly. There isn't any noticeable driving performance anomalies. Took it to a local garage who reckon that the head gaskets need replacing. I have checked the oil and there doesn't seem to be any water mixed in but that was a few weeks ago now as I've been on holiday for over a week whilst the car was at the garage so this could have changed now

A little dissappointed about the car price as I was hoping to get £1500ish with this problem lol Although if it doesn't cost too much to fix I may just get it done and then flog it

 

The header tanks are very prone to splitting on the earlier classics, as are the radiator tanks, both would cause loss of coolant and steam from under the bonnet. worth a check before you dive inside the engine ,

If it turns out to be HG's, if you have the garage space and the patience it can be done DIY with a manual and a reasonable set of tools.

 

I have had the same problem twice. Both times it was due to a very small leak in the radiator.

 

can anyone recommend someone in the Surrey area to take it to get a second opinion? The garage I took it too only charged me £20 so I'm not sure how thorough their evaluation was

 

mine overheated on sunday,thought it was gaskets but was a spilt in the rad,luckly when the guy fitting the rad noticed the cambelt was a bit noisey,the previous person hadnt fitted it right and was chewed to bits,thank god it did'nt snap on me.

 

Where in Surrey are you?

 

near Camberley, but he is currently driveable so I can travel

 

Go onto www.surreyscoobies.co.uk and put a post up, there is bloke who posts as Frank-in-stu who is local and is a Suabru specialist

 

thanks moley, I'll check that website out when I get home. I appreciate everyones help

 

agree, dont ssume head gasket. the cooling systems on the older cars are prone to leaks due to their age now.

 

AGREED. check it out before pulling your engine out... I did and it turned out to be the rad partially blocked...

Still My idlers were all seized anyway - so really it saved my engine...