Hi, I have a leaking head gasket on my '98 eclipse gs with about 101k miles. I brought the Chilton's repair manual, looked through it a bit. Confused and paranoid as I am, I don't want to risk messing anything up. I guess I'll have to take it to a shop, can anyone recommend a good shop in Chicago and their price? What else do I need to replace besides the timing belt, water pump, head gasket, and belts? Should I buy the parts myself? What's a good place to order the parts?

If anyone who lives in Chicago that wants to help me do this, I will buy a case of beer and pay you for the work of course.

thanks

www.partsdinosaur.com for all the timing components if you are planning in doing it yourself. I will be surprised if a shop will take your parts and install them on the car while still warranting the work.

Well a buddy of mine and I have just done my car (put in a new block) and my other friends head. We both timed it perfect. We felt that taking the whole motor out is easier... seeing how its too tight on the pass. side. Also, if you take it to a shop, they'll rape you. Most shops usually do when it comes to replacing a headgasket.

Ill talk to him about making a trip to help a fellow 2gnter.





2gnt (period)

It's not really that hard, the timing is a bit tricky to get set in the car but not impossble. I've got to do the same thing myself soon once I get the new head rebuilt.

If you do leave the motor in get a piece of wood and a floor jack to lift the motor after taking off all passenger side motor mount parts. The marks are easier to see this way.

Follow this:

http://www.2gnt.com/www/corbin/rebuild.html

Has everything you need to do it yourself. I followed it and had my car going within a week after the headgasket went.

I found a place in Skokie called 3 C Automotive. They can either charge me $900 for the head gasket, timing belt, and water pump. Or $1,800 for a new used engine with low miles probably somewhere between 30k and 80k. If I get a new engine put in, there is a possibility of a head gasket failure in the future. So I'm stomped.

Well if you research enough and find a good couple of your buddies... then can be done for the price of parts. Im sure a lot of people have been in situations where they wont know what to do any the only way is a shop.. i understand if you dont have time. But if you do... id research and try it. Theres ALWAYS! 2gnt to help.


2gnt (period)