HELP!! Just changed thermostat. Car overheated bad!!!

[jimdigs]

The HG is a DIY job. The head with intake and exhaust manifolds pulls right off. Clean up the mating surfaces and check for warping with a straight edge.

Where in MI are you?

I'm in Spring Arbor, Jackson County. I don't think I could do the job myself, heck I can't even change the thermostat without ruining the car!!

[crazyrog17]

HELP!! Just changed thermostat. Car overheated bad!!!

Lol, not TOO far. Usually a blown head gasket is not a seat on death row for a car. As long as you pulled over before it seized..

Believe me though, if you read through the service manual or a Haynes.. The job is pretty simple. If you're afraid of getting grease and grit under your fingernails or not being able to sleep because your hands smell like gas, well, maybe it's not a job you can do.

If I could suggest though.. Man, get your hands dirty. I blew my head gasket 10,000 miles ago.. $200 in parts/fluids(high estimate) and a Saturday got it back in running order. It will take you a little longer if you're still a greenhorn, this was my third head gasket replacement so I had some experience to go by.

South of 94? That's about an hour and a half from here. You'll need a few specialty tools like a 12 point 12mm socket for the head bolts along with a torque wrench.

Don't tell me you used a peel and stick thermostat housing gasket though, did you? I've never been able to get one to seal, even with copious amounts of gasket sealer paste. FFR, Autozone sells a paper gasket with an orange rubber seal around the inner lip. Most important $.99 on my car.

Edit: sorry, re read the thread.

-Anyways, what I'm getting at is, do you know what caused the coolant to be so low you overheated and blew the HG? I'd guess since it occurred after your thermostat change, it leaked from the housing onto the trans.-

[jimdigs]

Lol, not TOO far. Usually a blown head gasket is not a seat on death row for a car. As long as you pulled over before it seized..

Believe me though, if you read through the service manual or a Haynes.. The job is pretty simple. If you're afraid of getting grease and grit under your fingernails or not being able to sleep because your hands smell like gas, well, maybe it's not a job you can do.

If I could suggest though.. Man, get your hands dirty. I blew my head gasket 10,000 miles ago.. $200 in parts/fluids(high estimate) and a Saturday got it back in running order. It will take you a little longer if you're still a greenhorn, this was my third head gasket replacement so I had some experience to go by.

South of 94? That's about an hour and a half from here. You'll need a few specialty tools like a 12 point 12mm socket for the head bolts along with a torque wrench.

Don't tell me you used a peel and stick thermostat housing gasket though, did you? I've never been able to get one to seal, even with copious amounts of gasket sealer paste. FFR, Autozone sells a paper gasket with an orange rubber seal around the inner lip. Most important $.99 on my car.

Edit: sorry, re read the thread.

-Anyways, what I'm getting at is, do you know what caused the coolant to be so low you overheated and blew the HG? I'd guess since it occurred after your thermostat change, it leaked from the housing onto the trans.-

It was leaking at the bypass tube where it connects to the flange with an "o" ring. I was moving the tube around trying to get to the bottom bolt of the thermostat housing and while I was doing that I musta moved it to much causing the seal in the "O" ring to get messed up. The housing does not leak at all and I did use the peel and stick.

Lets say I can change the head gasket, what if the head is warped? What do I do then? Thanks for the reply. Not afraid of getting dirty, I'm a shop rat, just afraid of not knowing what I'm doing.

[scitzz]

, what if the head is warped? What do I do then?

Have it decked at a machine shop. The ones around here charge 35 for one.

Basically, they mill a couple of thousandths of an inch off it, which gets you a smooth surface again.

[FestYboy]

head gasket should take you 3 hrs or less, now get to it! just remember the copper spray!

[jimdigs]

Thanks everyone for the replies. It is appreciated.

[scitzz]

head gasket should take you 3 hrs or less, now get to it! just remember the copper spray!

LOL!

YES! Copper spray FTW!

You can do this, man.

[jimdigs]

Do you guys think it is really worth it to try and change the head gasket if I have never done this before. I've done the basics on cars, brakes, valve covers, other replacement parts in the engine but never something this involved. Plus if things get messed up in this car from just changing the thermostat because of rust and stuff. As rusty as this car is don't you think other things could go wrong trying to remove everything and putting it all back together. I'm not trying to talk my way out of doing it just want to really know if it is worth all the effort only to maybe just create more issues. What do you folks think? I have the chance to buy a 93 festiva with only 75,000 miles on it. I hate to spend the money I have saved up for Christmas. I wish I new for sure that I could change the head gasket and all would be fine. But I don't.

[db2u]

Depends on price of the new car, value of your old car, sentimental attachment, value you place on learning etc.

If your old one is a high mileage rust bucket, and the 93 is a creampuff... I would say your old one in "runs but needs head gasket" condition is worth 400-500ish tops. Weigh your options and go from there.

[FestYboy]

if you can change your brake pads, you can do a head gasket. it just takes a few (very few) more tools. if i get a chance, i'll have to do a writeup... it's simpler than you'd think, just like the rest of our cars.

[scitzz]

if you can change your brake pads, you can do a head gasket. it just takes a few (very few) more tools. if i get a chance, i'll have to do a writeup... it's simpler than you'd think, just like the rest of our cars.

It is even simpler than the Haynes manual makes it out to be. Less than a bill. Easy. But not without the proper support. I wonder if we can come through with help on this.

[jimdigs]

Just taking apart the throttle body in the manual looks like it would take me half a day. Have to have a replacement gasket for that too right. What bolts that I would have to take off might be rusted to bad and brake if I try and get at em? I'll go look at my engine and see how bad they look. Thanks, Jim

[jimdigs]

Holy Crap...

[jimdigs]

Ok, so I drove 70 miles, one way, today before work, to look at the 93 festiva with 75,000 miles. Its all in great condition but for a valve tapping all the time. Is this as hard a fix as a head gasket? I could get this car for $1,100. What you folks think?

[koRnhead]

If you have changed a valve cover gasket you are only a couple more steps to changing the head gasket.....