Engine Cooling problem
2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 67,000 miles
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just started running hot. local repair shop changed thermostat, radiator cap, flushed system and replaced anti-freeze. When I picked it up, i had to return because it ran hot down the road. The repair shop believes it now a broken head gasket. Their bill will be 141.00 gasket kit, regrind head 8 hour labor for a total cost of 767.00. your opinion please.

Charles

first i will say is thats a good price for a headgasket replace.

next i will say before doing that i would make sure its bad.

buy a cheap compression tester and check the cylinders, they all low/ one lower then the rest?

add a squirt of oil then redo the compression does the compression still stay low? or get better.

if it stays low suspect headgasket. if all is good headgasket isnt bad.

autozone carries a bottle of head gasket sealer I'd try that before anything else it's worked on all the cars I've used it on it's a lime green bottle I can't remember the name of it right off the top of my head sorry .

if the heads need reground chances are that wont work, but if its a simple tear or puncture then that stuff is a temporary fix.

if the heads need reground chances are that wont work, but if its a simple tear or puncture then that stuff is a temporary fix.