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Sorry, Seig, that's just crazy talk Posted by Arabiflora [Email] (#1129) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Arabiflora) on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 22:11:38 In Reply to: Mileage and budget?, Siegfried, Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:40:30 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
If the HG is, indeed, the source of the elusive coolant leak, it can be replaced DIY (with proper tools and guidance) WITHOUT removing the engine from the car and for <$400 including resurfacing of the head (if nec). Assuming that you haven't allowed it to overheat excessively, the latter may not be required and you can lop ~$100 off the R&R costs-- provided that you DIY.
HG R&R's run anywhere from $1,000-$$1,500 at shops and most of the cost involves labor for disassembly, cleanup, reassembly, and QC. The actual cost of parts is usually pretty trivial. The job itself is daunting at first glance, but with the aid of good instructions (available here and alsewhere), a digital camera and notebook to chart steps in the operation, and some degree of mechanical inclination and capacity, it's very doable (providing that you place little or no retail value on your time).
I successfully did a HG repair on my '93 900 for <$300 excluding any accounting for my time, which was considerable (I'd guess 20 hrs total as I worked my way through it). Based on that success, I mustered the courage to replace the HG on my daughter's '97 Chevy Cavalier when it failed recently for ~$200, as compared to the $1,200+ estimates available at local shops.
Bottom line-- it's very do-able, without removing the engine, without need for many specialty tools, and (certainly) without need to tend to any of the other items in Seig's list unless you have reason to do so.
Scott
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