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

Awww.

[tiamatlady]

I'm sorry.
I should have made you pull off the road the instant you mentioned something.
I've been taught the hard way to just pull over and not "get to the next exit".
But, not being a mechanic, I can't even hazard a guess when the head gasket went.
Get B all worked up, and he can yell at them (wow, that vision brought on all sorts of naughty thoughts *giggle*)
If all else fails, call your dad. My mom's boyfriend helped me last time, and it's weird how much more respect men get, especially pissed off daddies.
Good luck.

[feline.livejournal.com]

Argh. I agree with Tia. I know more about cars and obviously so when I was talking to dealers about getting Hello Car, yet the dealer and the like still addressed Tziz first. Men seem to have an easier time with these things, so send B in as the lead man.

Or you could...

[miss-manners.livejournal.com]

Just drop in a new motor...a rebuild should run only about $600-$800...rental on the gear to do it should only run $200 (or better, if there is one of those 'self-serve' garages around, use it).

It would be about a full weekend job, but it is not really that HARD, just panstaking: label everything, double check the labels, pull the hood, check the labels, fit the harness, disconnect everything while checking the labels, move obstructing equipment (never looked in a contour, so no idea of who ugly that is), unmount motor, lift, drop in new motor, replace everything, drink beer.

[developer.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear about the car. That really sux -- everytime I read one of these things I pray that my car holds out a little while longer...

The worst/best was when I once had to have my old VW towed away, and another kid on campus with a VW just like mine walked by, pointed at it, and said "The future of my car."

[devina.livejournal.com]

Before you go to the BBB, you might want to try contacting Ford customer service directly. Their reputation is at stake with that dealer, and they may intercede on your behalf.

Couldn't hurt to try it, it seemed to work with Oldsmobile.

[josephfinn.livejournal.com]

I managed, in my car-owning days (before I moved into Chicago) to have two cars die on me from head-gasket problems. It's a car killer, if you (a) own an older car where they have to search for parts or (b) it would cost more to replace than the car is worth.