Heads Out Reseal

[gbsmith]

My Impreza is a 1995 model with 108,000 miles on it. I took it in to
the dealership today because of an oil leak and the key failing to
engage when trying to start -- two issues.

They found:

Head gaskets leaking, valve covers leaking, oil pump leaking, com seals
leaking, baffle plate * rear main seal leaking. Water pump also leaking
coolant. The starter is also bad - solenoid not properly engaging.

I left it for the work: a Heads Out Reseal where they pull the engine
completely and change all the seals, etc. The starter assembly will
also be replaced, and the water pump will need to be replaced.

Estimate:

Starter Assy. $231 parts
Heads Out Reseal $1500 parts & labor
Water Pump $92.35

They're giving me two gaskets valued at $2.81 and $3.55, and they're
throwing in the labor for the Starter Assy. $123.

I don't know if I'm asking anything, except, has anyone else had this
done? Is the price comperable?

I'm driving a rental now, a KIA. I'm a bit bummed at having to spend
money that I don't have right now. The problem is, if I go for a
trade-in, I was told I'd get next to nothing for the car because of all
of the work that has to be done to it.

I decided to go with the work because I could use the car for another
100,000.

Help.

GK

 

[Jim Stewart]

My Impreza is a 1995 model with 108,000 miles on it. I took it in to
the dealership today because of an oil leak and the key failing to
engage when trying to start -- two issues.

They found:

Head gaskets leaking, valve covers leaking, oil pump leaking, com seals
leaking, baffle plate * rear main seal leaking. Water pump also leaking
coolant. The starter is also bad - solenoid not properly engaging.

I left it for the work: a Heads Out Reseal where they pull the engine
completely and change all the seals, etc. The starter assembly will
also be replaced, and the water pump will need to be replaced.

Estimate:

Starter Assy. $231 parts
Heads Out Reseal $1500 parts & labor
Water Pump $92.35

They're giving me two gaskets valued at $2.81 and $3.55, and they're
throwing in the labor for the Starter Assy. $123.

I don't know if I'm asking anything, except, has anyone else had this
done? Is the price comperable?

I'm driving a rental now, a KIA. I'm a bit bummed at having to spend
money that I don't have right now. The problem is, if I go for a
trade-in, I was told I'd get next to nothing for the car because of all
of the work that has to be done to it.

I decided to go with the work because I could use the car for another
100,000.

It's hard to know what to tell you. The car is at the repair shop
and you're pretty much at their mercy.

The starter is pretty much non-negotiable. As for the oil leaks,
if you could do it over again, you could have Gunked the engine
and then found out for yourself where they were coming from. The
oil pump leak is pretty common.

I know you don't need anymore bad news, but if you haven't changed
the timing belt, nows the time to do it.

 

[Mike B.]

Transmission, wheel shafts, alternator, window motors...
another 100,000 it could.

 

[gbsmith]

Actually, one of the salesmen did ask me about the timing belt. They'll
let me know. I'm sure that's only going to be parts, since they'll have
the whole thing out of the car.

One of the mechanics at the place where I had the oil changed
recommended gunk of some sort -- a high mileage oil he claimed would
seal things up. But, I'd rather fix things than hide them, if that
makes sense.

 

[gbsmith]

Do you mean that I should anticipate changing the transmission in the
near future?

It will also need CV joints. The right front shows a tear in the rubber.

I wouldn't get much on a trade with a car in that shape at this point,
at least I don't see that happening.

 

[jellymax]

the prices sound about right, definitely replace the timing belt
even if means a few extra labor dollars for cover removal etc..
.. unless youv'e replaced it in the last 18 months.
if your happy with the car & would drive it to 200k, then
repair it, do it properly, (gunk, or watever, is for dying/old
engines not engines of any worth), & take care of the bad axle,
plus consider maint on the other axles to prevent this, that should
carry you thru to 200k.
driving costs money baby.


jellymax

(don't fry any wooden fish)

 

[Pete D]

They are lying to you.

If the head gaskets were leaking you would be either blowing all your
coolant out or all your oil.

I had a head gasket problem and it cost me AUD$965, thats around US$550. The
work included skimming the heads, headgaskets, all seals on a 98 OBW.

It sounds like they are robbing you.

Have a nice day.

Pete D

 

[Mike]

Need a new CV joint because the boot has a tear in it? What?! The boot is
replacable isn't it?

Replace the boot now before it gets any worse, if you replace it shortly
after it tears, then you're CV joint will be fine. Even if you're not going
to replace it, make sure there is lots of grease around the CV joint to
displace the water and lubricate it.