94 Corolla Head Gasket Leak?

Gurus:

I took my great car, with 108,000 one-owner miles, in for an oil
change and have been told it has a head gasket leak. Before I spend
the $920 the dealer wants to replace it, I am turning here for
advice.

A few things about the car.
1. I did see a thimble full of red coolant on the garge floor, under
the engine last fall. That was the only time I thought there might be
a leak somewhere. The back of the engine, below the coolant bypass
hose, shows corrosion.
2. The technician told me the coolant bypass tank was empty when I
brought it in. He tried to show me the leak, but I could see no fluid.
Apparently, this is a very slow leak, though he started out telling me
it was a big leak.
3. He also pointed out that the coolant bypass hose was bulged and
suggested that it too should be replaced. $170. ..... Also suggested
was a transmission flush. $120.
4. I last had the car in for an inspection about 3,000 miles (5
months) ago.
5. The oil is clear. Not milky. The car does not burn oil and has
plenty of zip.

The technician told me he's worked on Toyotas for 20 years and has
never seen a leaky Corolla head gasket before.

I would like to (but don't have to) keep the car a couple more years.
I would not sell it to someone without either having it fixed, or
telling them about the problem. What would you advise that I do at
this point?

It's a good car and I want to take good care of it, but I don't want
to throw money at it without knowing that is the best thing to do.
Thanks for your thoughts.

> wrote in message
oups.com...
> Gurus:
>
> I took my great car, with 108,000 one-owner miles, in for an oil
> change and have been told it has a head gasket leak. Before I spend
> the $920 the dealer wants to replace it, I am turning here for
> advice.
>
> A few things about the car.
> 1. I did see a thimble full of red coolant on the garge floor, under
> the engine last fall. That was the only time I thought there might be
> a leak somewhere. The back of the engine, below the coolant bypass
> hose, shows corrosion.
> 2. The technician told me the coolant bypass tank was empty when I
> brought it in. He tried to show me the leak, but I could see no fluid.
> Apparently, this is a very slow leak, though he started out telling me
> it was a big leak.
> 3. He also pointed out that the coolant bypass hose was bulged and
> suggested that it too should be replaced. $170. ..... Also suggested
> was a transmission flush. $120.
> 4. I last had the car in for an inspection about 3,000 miles (5
> months) ago.
> 5. The oil is clear. Not milky. The car does not burn oil and has
> plenty of zip.
>
> The technician told me he's worked on Toyotas for 20 years and has
> never seen a leaky Corolla head gasket before.


Be suspicious of this guy. Get a second opinion. If he has worked on
Toyotas for 20 years and has never seen a leaky or blown headgasket,
I would immediately be suspect.

That is not what was said. It was stated that in 20 years he has never
seen a leaking Corolla head gasket. They are not known for leaking,
but it does happen.

wrote in news:1170988177.808648.82270
@k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:

> That is not what was said. It was stated that in 20 years he has never
> seen a leaking Corolla head gasket. They are not known for leaking,
> but it does happen.
>



Then he hasn't got much experience. Or has he only ever seen cars with
conscientious owners, or low mleage?


--
Tegger

Tegger > wrote in news:Xns98D24D09CC1ECtegger@
207.14.116.130:

> wrote in news:1170988177.808648.82270
> @k78g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
>
>> That is not what was said. It was stated that in 20 years he has never
>> seen a leaking Corolla head gasket. They are not known for leaking,
>> but it does happen.
>>
>
>
>
> Then he hasn't got much experience. Or has he only ever seen cars with
> conscientious owners, or low mleage?
>
>


Sorry, not "low mileage", but "young age". Low miles combined with neglect
will still eventually kill a head gasket.

--
Tegger

Gurus:

Respectfully, I would like to refocus this discussion more closely to
the topic at hand. Alll comments registered so far are on the money,
but I would hope the conversation could be broadened to what I should
do at this point.

Thanks for your thoughts.

" > wrote in
ups.com:

> Gurus:
>
> Respectfully, I would like to refocus this discussion more closely to
> the topic at hand. Alll comments registered so far are on the money,
> but I would hope the conversation could be broadened to what I should
> do at this point.
>



Have a *competent* mechanic do a "pressure test" on each cylinder. This is
NOT the same as a "compression test". A leaky cylinder will be apparent as
bubbling in the rad.

--
Tegger

Final Report!

I just returned from an appointment with a well-respected private
repair shop, Better Business Bureau approved. The mechanic did a
lengthy pressure test. Guess what? NO LEAK AT ALL. ZERO. The initial
diagnosis of a leak was done without a pressure test.

I won't even get into all the other things recommended by the dealer
following my oil change appointment, but the private shop checked
every one of them and told me that there was only one, a bulging hose,
that they would recommend replacing. Estimated replacement cost = less
than $50. The dealer's estimate for the same hose was $170.

Something could still, I suppose, be wrong with the head gasket, but
it is not something that requires immediate attention. I will pay it
some attention though. Most certainly, I will keep a closer eye on my
antifreeze level, and the clarity of the engine oil.

Morals of the story.
1. Get a second opinion from a quality, independent shop.
2. Be wary of alarmist opinions. Don't ignore them, but take time to
gather information before spending hard earned money on dubious
"repairs". Thank God for Google groups.

Buy a new hose and do it yourself,save some money.I first got started in
the 1950's when I replaced a worn out fuel pump on a 1952 Ford car.
cuhulin
[ I can weld anything but the crack of Dawn,and she was a good auld gal]

On Feb 9, 1:22 pm, "
> wrote:
> Final Report!
>
> I just returned from an appointment with a well-respected private
> repair shop, Better Business Bureau approved. The mechanic did a
> lengthy pressure test. Guess what? NO LEAK AT ALL. ZERO. The initial
> diagnosis of a leak was done without a pressure test.
>
> I won't even get into all the other things recommended by the dealer
> following my oil change appointment, but the private shop checked
> every one of them and told me that there was only one, a bulging hose,
> that they would recommend replacing. Estimated replacement cost = less
> than $50. The dealer's estimate for the same hose was $170.
>
> Something could still, I suppose, be wrong with the head gasket, but
> it is not something that requires immediate attention. I will pay it
> some attention though. Most certainly, I will keep a closer eye on my
> antifreeze level, and the clarity of the engine oil.
>
> Morals of the story.
> 1. Get a second opinion from a quality, independent shop.
> 2. Be wary of alarmist opinions. Don't ignore them, but take time to
> gather information before spending hard earned money on dubious
> "repairs". Thank God for Google groups.

If the thing has been overheated at some point, possibility of a head
gasket failure is higher. Otherwise, the bulging hose, empty overflow
tank, etc. look more like hose replacement time than head gasket time.
Might make some sense to just replace all the hoses, on general
principle. They definitely do not last forever, and as you see,
failure can result in either suddenly finding yourself parked in the
middle of nowher, or slow sneaky departure of coolant from the engine,
neither of which is good. Do the belts too.