Maybe blown head gasket

[P5SPDKILLZ]

So I had a loose Aux belt turn into a lost belt, which lead to overheating naturally and getting new belts. Now this morning my car started getting hot again and once I got to work I checked under the hood and it drank all the coolant. Haven't had the chance to check for leaks yet. If it is the head gasket, how heavy of a job is that hours/parts/$?

I have no experience getting into internals so not suggesting I would do the work, and I'm very much aware it could be a hefty bill at the garage. Not been a good week for the car.

 

[njaremka]

i think you could do it yourself in an evening, with the only special tool required being a torque wrench. grab the shop manual and have at it.

 

[duffbuster243]

It should take a skilled mechanic 5-6 hours to do the job, You will want to have the head machined flat while it is off. A shop will probably charge you for about 10 hours labor. If you can get the car up to scranton I would be willing to tackle to job for you. Pm me if interested

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

That is about what I was expecting. Think NJ was thinking valve gasket/cover. I appreciate the offer but that would be quite a haul (just realized I did not update my info) as I am living in Maryland now. Hopefully it proves to be something less severe but I am fearing the worse.

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

I did a head job in about 8 hours, I didnt take the timing off though I was able to get the cam gears off and hold tension up on belt to keep it on the crank and then remove the head and then put the gasket in a reinstall everything. However I wouldnt recommend doing it that way it was tricky and for someone who has not done many head jobs I wouldnt attempt it.

 

[tweety2300]

Have you confirmed its the head gasket? Could have popped a hose off the overflow or throttle body. Mine did it when the water pump belt broke

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

My oil that I had just got changed on Sunday looks like chocolate milk and it drank a reservoir full of coolant on my 20 mile drive home. Has me thinking head gasket for sure?

 

[tweety2300]

Ya I'd say head gasket just do a radiator compression test you can rent it at autozone

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

Anyone ever have a garage tell you they won't do (x) work on your car because of how many miles are on it? Mechanic my girlfriend uses just told me this regarding the headgasket. Only been in this area for 6 months so not even sure where to take the car now as far as knowing what shops are decent. Sweet

 

[duffbuster243]

Thats a good one.....How many miles are on it?

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

127,000. My only guess is they've got burned before on getting into peoples motors and finding more wrong because people don't take care of their cars. Then having the owners not want to pay to fix.

 

[njaremka]

if i were you, i would start collecting parts, and set aside a weekend to work on it. its not terrible difficult, unless you NEED to have the head decked. it would be a good bonding experience with the car

 

[duffbuster243]

127,000. My only guess is they've got burned before on getting into peoples motors and finding more wrong because people don't take care of their cars. Then having the owners not want to pay to fix.

LOL, 127,000 is low. How does he make any money turning down jobs like this?

 

[BRIAN_MP5T]

If you drank the coolant, it is likely that the head is warped. It is the highest part and the most in need of constant cooling as it is also the hottest part.

Aluminium will warp. It is unlikely that the block is damaged as it is iron.

Step One.

Get
Head Gasket
Water Pump
Timing Belt
10x Torque Yield Bokts (OEM Mazda)
10x Washers for the above mentioned head Bolts.
Brake Cleaner

10mm Allen Socket 1/2 Drive
1/2 Drive Torque Wrench
Fat Sharpie Marker
Silicone to sela the valve cover
2x Cam Output Seals
Asslebley Lube (For Cam Caps)

Step 2.

Remove the Head and get it Milled true..
(Now would be a great time to do valve seals).

Step 3.

http://www.mp5t.com/?page_id=272

 

[destineal]

Not a fun job I can say

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

LOL, 127,000 is low. How does he make any money turning down jobs like this?

The area near my appartment is overly developed and tons of people so I'm guessing he might actually have the ability to turn down work.

 

[P5SPDKILLZ]

If you drank the coolant, it is likely that the head is warped. It is the highest part and the most in need of constant cooling as it is also the hottest part.

Aluminium will warp. It is unlikely that the block is damaged as it is iron.

Step One.

Get
Head Gasket
Water Pump
Timing Belt
10x Torque Yield Bokts (OEM Mazda)
10x Washers for the above mentioned head Bolts.
Brake Cleaner

10mm Allen Socket 1/2 Drive
1/2 Drive Torque Wrench
Fat Sharpie Marker
Silicone to sela the valve cover
2x Cam Output Seals
Asslebley Lube (For Cam Caps)

Step 2.

Remove the Head and get it Milled true..
(Now would be a great time to do valve seals).

Step 3.

http://www.mp5t.com/?page_id=272

Fully appreciate the input, there are some other things on the car that could used replaced that I am going to do myself but I feel like this would put me in over my head. Think I'd rather pay to have it done right and be confident the motor will keep running for a while. Is there anything else I should have done while the motor is open besides the valve seals?