I think I'm just gonna put the money into the car. Still unsure if the problem is the head gasket or if there is a cracked head.
I haven't been able to get a hold of the mechanic to see if he did a leak-down test...
Hopefully, that will give me some more info to work with...
As much as I'd like too, at this point I don't think I want to swap the engine. Mainly due to the cost of doing so compared to fixing the problem on the 3.8L.
EricCoolCats: You sure those were NEW castings? When talked to Clearwater about two years ago, they said only thing they ever had for the 84 (3.8L) was reworked heads.
I just got off the phone with Clearwater...
The castings for my 85' (3.8L) are fully tested re-worked castings that come with a 2 year warranty. $155 each. $30 ground shipping each.
Don't want to burst your bubble, but the question probably had more to do with how much he could charge you. If your attached, your willing to pay more.
Well it's a good thing I told him I wasn't that attached...
He contacted me today and said it was either a blown head gasket or a cracked head. He ran a compression test and two of the cylinders aren't getting compression.
So I asked him how much to fix the problem and he said around $1000. Now I really don't know what a fair price is for this type of service. Does this price sound about right or is he high balling me? Seems expensive to me, but what do I know?
He also asked what I wanted to get out of it if I were to sell. Any ideas on a rough estimate?
The car isn't running, due to the head problem. Otherwise its in good condition. Roughly 58,000 miles. Body in good shape minus a rust bubble near the rear wheel well.
So at this point I'm trying to decide if I want to put money into a secondary car or just sell it.
Yea, I'm pretty sure from my research and a buddy of mine taking a look at it that it is a head gasket issue. I took the car to a mechanic yesterday and am waiting to hear back about it today.
When I took it to the shop, the first thing the mechanic asked how attached to the car I am. He hinted at buying it. LOL
Anyways, he's gonna diagnose it and get me an estimate, maybe make an offer. lol
Error Codes, yes, I assume when I get it to a mechanic they will check this.
I know its not the gas or the fuel pump, as I had a friend check it out. He did check into it as much as he knew how(He's a Chevy guy). While replacing the plugs he noticed there was water on one of the plugs, and said it could be a bad sign..... So, I dunno...
Not a PETRO problem, I put gas in it a week or two before it stopped running. Also, I went through at least a tank cruising around in it before it stopped running...
I had the luck of inheriting my grandmother's 85 Cougar (3.. Beautiful car, with under 60,000 miles on it.
When I received the car I noticed it was running a little rough, as in the engine seemed to studder when I hit the gas. Now I must say that I'm not too car savvy, and I just assumed that it needed a simple tune up and I honestly wasn't in any rush because I have another car that I use to commute with. So I drove it every now and again, still sluggish. Finally, one day I took it out for a spin and it was hurting really bad. The engine was studdering like crazy. barely got it around the block and back to my house. It sat in the driveway for about a week and when I went back out to start it it would turn over but wouldn't run. I thought it might be the fuel pump, checked the pressure but it was ok. Started replacing plugs and there was watery liquid covering the plug.
After a little research I think maybe its a bad intake manifold or a blown head gasket....
I really don't know because I'm no mechanic. lol. Any thoughts????
I fully intend to take the car to a mechanic to figure it out, but I really don't want to dump a bunch of money on a car that I rarely drive.
Thought I'd get some advice from some people who may be more versed in these things than I am. Ideas and suggestions welcome!!!
. Beautiful car, with under 60,000 miles on it.