Date: Thu, 07 May 1998 13:09:22 -0700 From: Justin VanAbrahams <jvanabranopsamnet> Subject: Re: question about repairs
Trevor Pearson (fmr. T-Man) wrote: > > > My question is this: is this a common occurence when cars overheat? The > head is somehow part of the cooling system? Sorry, I'm not so wise about > engines, so I'm skeptical of this diagnosis. The mechanic also raved > about the durability of a SAAB head, saying that 98% of the time, the head > was fine and not cracked. If I do have a cracked head, what are my > options? Yep... a blown head gasket is a logical result of an engine running too hot, but it's also possible that the head gasket went first, and THEN the engine started overheating because coolant was being lost rapidly. Regardless, Saab heads are pretty durable and don't often crack or warp when overheated, so long as the problem isn't allowed to persist. If the head is warped, sometimes a machine shop can smooth it back out; if it's cracked it can sometimes be repaired. But, it's also possible that the damage may be too extreme and a new head will be called for. Not cheap - I've seen then run upwards of $700... Good luck... -Justin