94 Z26 Head Gasket

[karenjlewis]

I am new to this forum although I have owned a 90 GTZ for 7+ years and lovin it...very reliable. Since I have had such a great experience with my 90 I decided to pick up a 94 Z26 (automatic) for my mom to drive while she is visiting from out of state as she can't drive a standard.

Thought I was smarter than this but a mechanic told me today that I need a new head gasket and muffler. My regular mechanic has moved out of state so I am starting off with someone new and am a bit nervous about it.

She is not overheating at all or loosing any fluids...but she does have an odd burning smell when she is running. I think I can trust this guy but he is not to keen on Beretta's and that did not go over too well with me <smile>.

Would appreciate any input on how much I would expect to pay for a new head gasket...he quoted $900 and then another $250 for the exhaust system.

I will post pics of both of my Beretta's later today!

Thanks...

[Asylum]

Time for a second opinion!

The smell could be a bad cat, and if he didn't do a compression or leak down test what makes him think head gasket.

The 3100's are known for LIM failure however but that would have obvious warning signs.

[Money pit Beretta]

Lower intake manifold gaskets do go out just as Eric said. I had to put on my 90GT that I had and the 95 base with a 3100. Cats can and will go out. In other words I 2nd everthing that he said. Never trust someone that doesn't like your car. They may just end up doing the wrong work and a poor job.

[karenjlewis]

Hey guys I really appreciate your input. He said that his evidence for the head gasket having a "slow" leak was that the antifreeze looked discolored. He never even drove the car...or started it for that matter. Is this an obvious indication of a bad head gasket and it that the only thing that would cause the anti freeze to be discolored.

Thanks,

Karen J

[Money pit Beretta]

The LIM can do that too. It's not that hard to do and if you have somebody at another shop do it, it would cost alot less than head geaskets. Check the dip stick and look for something that looks like milk. Also look in the oil fill cap for the samething. Get back to us on what you find.

[karenjlewis]

Forgive my ignorance what is the LIM? I did look at the dip stick and there is no milky looking anything...also checked the oil fill cap...no milk!

[karenjlewis]

Oh...got it on the LIM...sheesh!

[Money pit Beretta]

When do you think you will take it to another shop? More help will be on the way now that Bfest is over. Give them time to get back work.

[Rex 2.0]

Have you checked the tranny fluid? Sometimes that can have a burning smell to it and be discolored. I also agree it is most likely NOT the head gasket. My 95 3100 had over 200k and never had a problem with the head gasket. I did have a problem with the LIMG but like the others said it should look milk chocolaty if that was happening. How many miles are on the car?

[karenjlewis]

Thanks...the car has 154k and there is no milky or chocolaty oil or on the cap...however today I did see a couple of drops of oil on the ground in my shop which I have not seen in the 2 weeks that I have had the car.