Well... Shit. Update: It's a core plug

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
07/06/2018 at 12:40 • Filed to: None

At first I thought it was a head gasket, but it appears to be a fairly accessable (thanks to the s lant) core plug.

Now to fix it. Any tips?

I still want to do a rebuild, but when I have the $$. Maybe over the winter?

DISCUSSION (38)

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:11

Taint goina be cheap, I can tell you that much. Inline or V?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
07/02/2018 at 19:11

Inline (Slant 6)

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:12

well thats good, at least its just one. I mean it wont be a LOT cheaper but a little. I think I paid around $2500 in parts and labor for mine.

NKato > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:13

If I’m not mistaken, head gaskets usually require a partial engine teardown. That’s why labor costs so much to do it, usually in excess of 1200 bucks. Look into a head gasket kit and make some ti me to rebuild the engine, if you're mechanically inclined.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
07/02/2018 at 19:16

$2500?

Oh christ.

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:17

I had my head completely rebuilt (decked, new valve seats, ets) and injectors rebuilt too though.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:19

If you love it, pay to have it done right. Consider them replacing a few other items while they’re down there if it’s been a while (water pump? etc.). You don’t to tear that thing apart twice.

jasmits > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:20

If you’re so inclined most of that’s going to be labor, I can’t imagine parts for a slant-6 are particularly expensive. The biggest drawback to DIY is just that it takes forever to figure out how to do something for the first time but you do have other things to drive in the meantime.

Also wish I could’ve made oppomeet this weekend!! I had to be down in Portland unfortunately last weekend.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
07/02/2018 at 19:21

You DD yours don’t you? This is tough because I don’t have that much money and it is our 3rd car.

HammerheadFistpunch > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:21

yeah its a daily.

cmill189 - sans Volvo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:22

When you find out how much shops charge for this job - Any reason to not do it yourself? This isn’t your primary transportation, if I recall. Even if you’re lacking mechanical ability and tools, this is like the best cas e scenario for a head gasket replacement. Old truck, straight 6, OHV, etc...It would take effort on your part to screw up.

NKato > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:26

If you plan on doing the gaskets yourself, make sure you’re going to also flush the engine - new oil is a good idea.

Also, make sure you get the necessary reading material, such as the maintenance manual for the engine. There is an industry standard manual for nearly every car that helps, it’s considered the mechanic’s bible. That way you don’t miss anything important.

While you have it open, take the opportunity to inspect the cylinders and sleeves.

Mid Engine > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 19:55

Q uite often the block nee ds to be machined before putting new gaskets installed, it’s gotta be perfectly flat & smooth. $2500 is a pretty good guess all told.

MM54 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 20:14

There’s no rush, right? Just do it yourself slowly and carefully. On an old iron head/block slant 6 there should be no need for any machine work (especially if the leak is external and not water-jet cutting steam between cylinders).

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 20:35

Take your time and do it right . That truck is more important to you than money anyways.

You’re lucky it’s not a daily. As someone with an EJ25 and a 2017 Tacoma as result of headgaskets - I recommend you diy.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali
07/02/2018 at 20:45

The truck means more to me than anything other than my health or my wife. That being said, I have nowhere to work on it (condo/townhome) and no tools. I think I have to pay someone.

NKato > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 20:53

Search for a local self service garage. There's one in Kirkland that I use.

BigBlock440 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 21:26

You sure it’s a head gasket and not a core/freeze plug?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > BigBlock440
07/02/2018 at 21:29

I was just talking with someone on that. I will check ASAP.

Sovande > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 21:39

I just got an estimate for new heads on a Chevy 350. Labor estimate was 11 motherfucking hours at $130 an hour... It would be cheaper, at that point for me to buy a different engine. In fact, I am having the guy price out an LS swap...

BigBlock440 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/02/2018 at 22:10

Hopefully if it is, it’ll be an accessible one.

pip bip - choose Corrour > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2018 at 07:46

whilst you’re doing the head, may as well do all the hoses & thermostat too.

Milky > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2018 at 09:18

One of the first repairs I ever did was a head gasket on a straight 6 jeep. It was effort but doable.

No private garage/driveway isn’t the best, but you’ll save yourself a ton of money.

crowmolly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2018 at 12:59

Just chiming in to agree with BB440. Check and be sure it’s the HG. You might luck out and have an intake leak that’s running down the block or something.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > crowmolly
07/03/2018 at 13:03

I’m really hoping that it isn’t the HG. I know that that will come one day, but I can’t really afford it to be this day.

simonkhtse > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2018 at 13:11

That sucks. My last quote for a new head gasket repair was around $1100 - let me know if you need recommendations ! Know a couple of mechanics who charge quite reasonably.

crowmolly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/03/2018 at 14:18

If you can, post up some underhood shots and a pic of what the coolant looks like (milky, etc). Or if the temp gauge rises quick.

You can also rent/borrow a coolant system pressure tester for free and see if that exposes your leak.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > crowmolly
07/06/2018 at 12:42

I appear to have lucked out

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > crowmolly
07/06/2018 at 12:43

Kinja'd!!!

Today was the first day that I had a chance to come back. The truck doesn't live at my condo.

BigBlock440 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/06/2018 at 12:53

They’re press fit, so pop it out and hammer the new one in. You may have to drill or punch a hole to be able to grab it with pliers. Rubber ones that you tighten with a nut also exist, but I’ve never used them.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/06/2018 at 13:07

Easy fix?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > BigBlock440
07/06/2018 at 13:07

Im going to buy both. It's still less then $10

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/06/2018 at 13:14

Kinja'd!!!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > vicali
07/06/2018 at 13:29

Me exactly

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars
07/06/2018 at 13:57

With me doing it? Never. I'll fuck up somehow

crowmolly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/06/2018 at 14:04

HELL YEAH MAN!

BigBlock440 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
07/06/2018 at 14:32

The good thing with it being a core plug too, you can safely ignore it and just keep topping off the coolant until you have time to fix it. It doesn’t mean the truck’s laid up.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > BigBlock440
07/06/2018 at 15:08

Yeah, I’m doing that now. I’ll fix it monday