Car Update

[dancerjodi]

So its been confirmed, the Head Gasket is blown. I can't drive the car very far since there is combustion gas mixing with the antifreeze and its leaking everywhere.

And there is a chance (due to high temp and speed) that the cylinder head may be cracked too. The Head Gasket alone could cost between $600-$800 to replace; add in the cylinder and its an additional $1200 or so (blech)!

So tonight B and I get to be all forceful and go to the Ford Dealer again. If they had replaced the Head Gasket last month (like I asked them to) rather than just tightening a bolt this wouldn't have happened. I will not pay for more diagnosis labor (since I did that last month) and I will not pay for that cylinder. If there are problems I guess I'll be contacting the Better Business Bureau for the first time.

It looks like I may be in the market for a new car after all (unless its just the head gasket) . . . hopefully this will be straightened out soon :/

Comments

Re: Or you could...

[dancer.livejournal.com]

In a 96 Contour? Ick! I'd rather take the risk with the 79 Monte Carlo and drop a new 350 into it. At least it would be my dream car that I was taking the risk on and not a little "cheap and runs" thing.

This car is only worth around $4K . . . I don't want to put in a whole new engine (unless of course Ford ends up doing it for free since this is their fault anyway). I was willing to pay for the head gasket last month, if they had replaced it this wouldn't have happened.

I don't mind spending money on it if I'll have it for a while . . . but who knows what could happen after this.

It was so nice not having serious car troubles - it got away with it for almost three years :)