So my car was having this epic overheating problem that sprung up out of no where after I had all the hoses replaced apart from the top hose. So I opened up my bonnet and the top hose had pretty much disappeared it had exploded that much.

I replaced the top hose and the car was overheating terribly. I brought it to my mechanic he said the radiator is leaking and a head gasket has just started to crack. So, now I need to weigh up my options:

1. Sell the car for as much as I can reasonably get for it
OR
2. Fix the head gasket and keep the car.

Work previously done to the car isn't much, sports exhaust, sound system, tinted tail lights, tinted windows, seat covers, that's about it. But I've spent about $2,000 on repairs (radiator, hoses, idle motor, thermostat, etc)

Any ideas? or anyone know of someone who can fix the head gasket for cheap?

PM madmagna

not saying he can do it cheap but i think he might be able to help you out.

Might even end up cheaper getting a engine from a wreckers and putting it in.

PM madmagna

not saying he can do it cheap but i think he might be able to help you out.

Might even end up cheaper getting a engine from a wreckers and putting it in.

+ 1

Reconditioned engines up here go for about $500-600 + $500-600 labour.

Much cheap to replace the engine, was even cheaper with my other car and that set me back $2.3k!!!

should i consider reconditioning my engine and then selling it then? any ideas on how much I'd get for the magna after that? 2nd gen, owned by the salvos for 11 years, and apart from that problem i'd say great - excellent condition.

oh and thanks for your help in the first place guys :) any other help would be great :)

You won't get much for your magna.. Might as well part it out and make some $$ from there. Your pouring money down the drain by fixing the magna and selling it, that's how bad their resale value is atm. I would get the head gasket looked at and go from there, madmagna can check it out for you so he'd be the first place to go i reckon.

chuck in a new motor, doesnt even need to be recoed, as long as there is nothing wrong with it

There are things to consider when I put a new engine in my other car (feroza);

How are the tyres?
How much rego?
How is everything else?

I put the new engine in mine because I already threw 12 months rego on it, new tyres, new clutch, new cvs, new suspension etc. As lowrider said, look for an engine with lowish kms and you'll be fine. Probably will work out cheaper too.

However, if the cars low on rego, has poor tyres and is a bit sad I'd say get rid of it but you wont get much more than $200 from the wreckers. If it was 100% I'd say you'd be lucky to get $2k (most 2nd gens around here go for $1.5K) plus the extra $1k for engine install...its starting to look expensive.

Hope that helps...

It's got good tyres on it, and a new exhaust. Owned by the salvos for 11 years so it's in A1 condition apart from the head gasket.

The other part to it is that I don't like having a 4 cylinder when I'm always carrying around heavy audio equipment (band work) and sometimes a car full of people too.

You guys are all really helpful btw, thanks so much for the advice

If anyone knows anybody looking for parts too they're more than welcome to send them my way haha.

It's got good tyres on it, and a new exhaust. Owned by the salvos for 11 years so it's in A1 condition apart from the head gasket.

The other part to it is that I don't like having a 4 cylinder when I'm always carrying around heavy audio equipment (band work) and sometimes a car full of people too.

You guys are all really helpful btw, thanks so much for the advice

If anyone knows anybody looking for parts too they're more than welcome to send them my way haha.

V6 conversion!!!!

If you plan on keeping it for the long term (sounds like its in pretty good nick) I'd go for it!

By the time you buy another car and fix it up it'll probably cost you a lot more.

Pm Madmagna and TuffTr and I'm sure they could help. Theyre also in Vic too so might be able to point you to a cheap wreckers :)

V6 conversion!!!!

If you plan on keeping it for the long term (sounds like its in pretty good nick) I'd go for it!

By the time you buy another car and fix it up it'll probably cost you a lot more.

Pm Madmagna and TuffTr and I'm sure they could help. Theyre also in Vic too so might be able to point you to a cheap wreckers :)


Only problem about putting in a new engine is that I really don't have the equipment or skills to do that. When it comes to cars I'm good with sound systems, spraying and keeping the basics happening (oil, PS fluid, coolant etc) beyond that I'd say I'm almost n00b haha.

I've pm'd MadMagna, if he doesn't know then TuffTR will be the next person I ask. I've actually been browsing this forum for a very long time before I joined and his car was always the one people spoke about

so my gf told me shes got a family friend who's a mechanic and can get me a fully reconditioned motor with a 3 year warranty for $1,500 for the lot. is that a good deal or is it just average?

Head gaskets don't crack, they "blow". As in "Whats wrong with your car, bro?" "Well its blown a head gasket, dude."

Remove the head, get it skimmed and tested for hardness, clean the block mating surface and check for cracks etc, reassemble with new gaskets. Simple.

The manual (workshop variety) is your friend, read it! You will save money DIY even though you will have to buy some tools.