1997 Chevy S-10 Coolant in engine, either bad gasket or hea

COZMO1221

MEMBER
1997 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
99,000 MILES

My 1997 Chevrolet s10 pickup with 2.2L engine recently had engine problems. The repair people said that coolant shot out of the spark plug #4 when they took it out to inspect the engine problem. This means a bad gasket, or head damage so a head replacement, or a cracked engine block.

my question for anyone who can answer it is this: Is it worth paying the 1300 to replace the gasket, or if it is the head then 2300? Also, does this model's engine and transmission tend to last a long time? I am deciding on whether to invest in repairs, given that there are no other problems I know of right now, or to purchase a used vehicle if repairs are over 3,000 total?

Any advice about this model and my situation would be greatly appreciated as I am looking for a second opinion. Thank you for your time.

5 Replies

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

I had a 1995 blazer. Sometimes things do go bad. I have even seen where a brand new fuel pump went bad 5 days after it was istalled. The vehicles are mostly relaible, If the car had run good before and there were no other problems. You could get the reapairs done or if you decide to buy another car, Its up to you. Did you check around to see if any other repurtable garages would do the work cheaper.

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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 7:32 PM

JMICHAEL8888

MECHANIC
45 POSTS

Ive done a few engines in my time and my descision would be this. Was it running hot a lot or not? If it ran hot for a while or for any major length of time and it was 1300 for a new gasket. I believe I would consider another vehicle. You can almost buy a excellent low mileage replacement engine for that price. And for the 2000+ price if it is the head. First check the price of a replacement head(auto store) then call around and see how much to put it on. Do the math and make your desicion

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Saturday, December 27th, 2008 AT 10:11 PM

MIKE H R

MECHANIC
3,094 POSTS

I agree with you jmichael8888, but sometime people get attached to one vehicle. I did a lot to my outside appearence of my blazer and when something happened I had wished I did not get rid of it. The car I got after ran all right for a while then things went wrong with it. I worked in a auto auction and have seen what people do to get a sale.
Not saying all people all do the same. If he decides to get another car, check it out good.

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Monday, December 29th, 2008 AT 6:22 PM

COZMO1221

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you for responding to my question. I chose to have the dealership repair my truck, and after the $300 to inspect, disassemble the head, it turns out that the problem was a blown gasket. Total cost for repairs was about $1,000, but given the overall health of the vehicle I chose to invest in it. Thank you for your responses!

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Friday, January 2nd, 2009 AT 10:00 AM

MIKE H R