Engine overheating

[yostie5]

Engine overheating/Head gasket?

This forum has been very helpful in the past. Hoping for more. My 95 atx has been diagnosed with combustion gas in the cooling system. Having read previous posts stating that the head gaskets rarely blow in the sho I'm assuming the worst ie cracked head. If so does anybody know the most prudent way of acquiring heads? The shop wants $1500 for complete head gasket job but if head is cracked is there a way to repair or are new ones in order? The car is in great shape with some recent mods but has logged 130,000 miles. I hate to start teardown without knowing the worse case scenario. Any help, comments would be appreciated. The car used to run on the "A" but just lately is at the "N" Thanx - Greg

 

[projectSHO89]

Have the shop run a compression check, both dry and wet. That will tell you if there is a leak in the combustion chamber. Inspect all cylinders for coolant. Any white smoke?

Head gaskets do blow, just not very often. It's still a possibility.

Worst case, buy a used engine and swap it. Lot cheaper that $1500.

Steve

 

[yostie5]

thanks steve. no white smoke. no coolant in the oil dip tube. going to have a compression test today

greg