Saying Hi, and need some TH engine advice

[Morphonic]

Hi all,

I signed up a couple of weeks or so ago and thought I would finally get around to saying hi as I have been interstate for a lot of that time.

I decided to join the forum so that I could get some good advice and save time with trial and error of which parts to use etc.

I own a 99 3.5ltr auto TH Magna Advance which has just started leaking coolant from the water pump. Anyway I dropped it off to my mechanic to get it replaced, and have discovered that I now have a blown head gasket(s) along with the pump. That will teach me for using a cheaper after market pump; which I had replaced whilst getting the timing kit done upon purchasing the car nearly 3 years ago.

Could anybody please recommend if it is worth replacing the gaskets (on the 130,000km motor) or just sourcing a short or long motor, keeping in mind I wish to keep the car for another year and a half or so. And who to contact in regards to sourcing another motor and any idea on $ if possible.

Thanks

[lowrider]

usally if it blows a head gasket, you need to machine your heads. you dont usally just slap another gasket on.

[Morphonic]

Sorry should have been more specific (it's been a long night and day). Repair what I've got or source a recon unit.

[gtrtwinturbo]

could be wrong but didn't i read somewhere that these engines have metal head gaskets????

to blow one of these requires ALOT of heat!!!!
if thats the case u may not be able to simply skim the heads and deck the block may require more attention....

still learning bout magnas but very rare to blow head gaskets is it not???

[pyalda]

funny i know 2 people with 3.0L both hav blown the head gaskets before - i knwo a few iwth 3.5's they hammer them and no problems...... maybe jsut luck or maybe its the engine.

Anyway - u can get another engine and run the same problem, get a good head gasket one that can withstand around 15psi, and change the head gasket recon teh head while ru there... then u know u got a good engine... when u take another engine and stick it in the car, u dont knwo wat suprises u get later.... so always better to keeep the engine and change gasket etc. they give u warrenty on the engine u buy from wreckers BUT NOT ON THE LABOR and thats the killer.

DEF go for new gasket.

[gremlin]

there is 3.5L long motors on ebay all the time for $500

personally i wouldnt muck around with your motor..spend $500, drop it in and your done

[lowrider]

yeah i agree with gremlin, and depending on when the engine was due for a service, you could save some dosh by servicing the engine while its out of the car, (timing belt is the big one)

[pyalda]

well depends if ur geting somone to do the engine swap or u doing it urself - far as i know quote for engine swap is $650 + labor alone.
plus $500 for enigine - thats 1150 - cost alot less to do headgasket + time belt... dont you think? and then u nkow u got new gasket etc.

[gremlin]

well depends if ur geting somone to do the engine swap or u doing it urself - far as i know quote for engine swap is $650 + labor alone.
plus $500 for enigine - thats 1150 - cost alot less to do headgasket + time belt... dont you think? and then u nkow u got new gasket etc.

more than 1150 for headgasket and timing belt and water pump i reckon

[pyalda]

really? head gasket around $800 - belt = 250 waterpump I HAVE NO IDEA was $150 for hte patrol