1996 Dodge Caravan Blown head gasket?

DEREKIDOL

MEMBER
1996 DODGE CARAVAN
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
305,587 MILES

My Caravan started spouting out thick white smoke from the exhaust Friday and making a sputtering noise. I believe its the rear gasket, but if I repair one, it'll be both.
My question is, what is the average cost of such a repair and what would be the average cost of just replacing the engine, as its a very high mileage engine in it?

And that mileage above should be in km's, as I'm in Canada. Lol.

5 Replies

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

Why would you have to replace both headgaskets if only one is bad, you sure its teh gasket is bad not a cracked head or block?

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Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 AT 7:19 PM

JPAM

MECHANIC
307 POSTS

Call me crazy or when does a 4cyl dodge motor have to heads?

You running a VW motor in there or something?LOL

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Sunday, November 2nd, 2008 AT 8:23 PM

DEREKIDOL

MEMBER
2 POSTS

My bad, I meant 6 cylinder.D'uh!

The reason I'd replace both is because if I only do one, the other is sure to go. Murphys Law.

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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 9:12 PM

JPAM

MECHANIC
307 POSTS

Thats alright.
As pricing goes I got no clue, I guess a person just has to shop around.

Good Luck.

Jesse S.

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Tuesday, November 4th, 2008 AT 9:22 PM

BLACKOP555

MECHANIC
10,371 POSTS

Expect a few hundred for the gasket, but for the price it is as jpam says it varries.

Greatly dependent on where you live and shop rates. Shop around