Car Engine Troubles- Mechanics out there?? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Alana Flames · 09-20-2007, 07:11 PM

Wondering if there's any mechanics out there that can give me some info/advice??

Long story short, my "new" car is a piece and now is practically done with... It was shooting a MASSIVE amount of smoke and my mechanic says he thinks it's probably a head gasket.
I've been quoted about $1500 to have it fixed.
What I'm wondering is: should it really cost that much? Could other damage have been done that would make fixing it a lost cause?
etc...
really any advice, because I'm lost here. I'm a student and I can't afford to fix it for 1500...

On that note...anybody selling a RELIABLE car for preferably(really) cheap?
haha wishful thinking probably

any help is really appreciated thanks!

BlackArcher101 · 09-20-2007, 08:12 PM

Just curious, what color is the smoke and what does it smell like? When I hear a mechanic saying he "thinks" he pinpointed what's wrong, I cringe. There's nothing stopping him from fixing it then finding out the problem still exists, leaving you with another repair bill after that one.

What car are we speaking about?
Is the smoke white or blueish/grayish.
Does it smell oily/gassy or kind of sweet?

Perhaps we can help and point you in the right direction. Of course without seeing, we can only say what we "think" it is.

KevanGuy · 09-20-2007, 08:26 PM

Check the oil. If it is kinda silvery looking...that is bad.

Alana Flames · 09-20-2007, 08:32 PM

it's a 95 protege es... i think its a V6 and 1.8...
the smoke is mostly white with a blue tinge. The mechanic said he had never seen anything like it in all his years as a mechanic....it's a hell of a lot of smoke, it just encapsulates the car.
and ya, thats what I'm worried about...I pay 1500 bucks to have it "fixed" and it's still toast.
I alreday paid about 1000 in the last month and a half for other repairs...

and the oil is good....what would it mean if it was silvery?

Neeper · 09-20-2007, 08:36 PM

What does it smell like? Does it have a burning smell or a sweet smell?

A head gasket replacement shouldn't cost that much. It's actually quite simple to do for someone who is mechinically inclined.

KevanGuy · 09-20-2007, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alana Flames

and the oil is good....what would it mean if it was silvery?

That the coolant as mixed with the oil.

Engine09 · 09-20-2007, 08:40 PM

You should call this guy, might be able to help you.

Not safe for work:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=9n5Sj_MtJ_s

burn_this_city · 09-20-2007, 08:40 PM

I'd be a lil concerned that its more than just your head gasket, if its burning a rediculous amount of coolant (white smoke) then chances are theres a crack in the cylinder head. Once he pulls it apart he might need to replace the head, which the way this guy is chargng you is going to be expensive. Personally I would cut my loses and maybe buy something inexpensive until I came into some money. If you looking for a $500 car I know of one that actually sounded half decent.. It would likely be fairly reliable although its pretty fugly..

ken0042 · 09-20-2007, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

A head gasket replacement shouldn't cost that much.

Really? I'm just saying that when the head gasket went in my Beretta almost 10 years ago I was quoted around $1200-1500.

burn_this_city · 09-20-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Really? I'm just saying that when the head gasket went in my Beretta almost 10 years ago I was quoted around $1200-1500.

You aren't comparing the same sort of thing there... Her car is likely a 4 cylinder which one has 1 head gasket that is fairly easy to replace.. On your car if its the back cylinder head then its a huge job that requires tearing down half the engine. $700 is usually enough to do a regular domestic or import 4 banger barring any substantial headache. On a V6 your looking $1000-1500 depending which way the engine faces..

ken0042 · 09-20-2007, 08:47 PM

Actually, Alana says the car is a V6, and my car was a 4 banger.

Neeper · 09-20-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Really? I'm just saying that when the head gasket went in my Beretta almost 10 years ago I was quoted around $1200-1500.

head gasket is simple on 4 cyls. I've only worked mostly on Honda's.

Alana Flames · 09-20-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

You aren't comparing the same sort of thing there... Her car is likely a 4 cylinder which one has 1 head gasket that is fairly easy to replace.. On your car if its the back cylinder head then its a huge job that requires tearing down half the engine. $700 is usually enough to do a regular domestic or import 4 banger barring any substantial headache. On a V6 your looking $1000-1500 depending which way the engine faces..

My car actually is a V6....

anyway this is all very good information thank you everyone!

At this point, although it pains me to say it, I don't care too much if it's fugly. I just need to get to school and work. also standard or atuo doesn't make a difference...

Figure I can still sell a car with a problem like this? likely not for much... I'm too afraid of karma to lie to sell it...

burn_this_city · 09-20-2007, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken0042

Actually, Alana says the car is a V6, and my car was a 4 banger.

Ya i think shes a lil confused.. there isnt any 1.8 liter V6's.. and about 80% of Berettas out there have 2.8 or 3.1 liter V6's... My mistake for assuming..

Alana Flames · 09-20-2007, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

Ya i think shes a lil confused.. there isnt any 1.8 liter V6's.. and about 80% of Berettas out there have 2.8 or 3.1 liter V6's... My mistake for assuming..

oh I can guarantee I'm confused. I know nothing about cars. But I'm positive it's a V6.

burn_this_city · 09-20-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alana Flames

oh I can guarantee I'm confused. I know nothing about cars. But I'm positive it's a V6.

Thats fairly typical.. Most people are oblivious.. I had the luxury of working in a mechanics garage part time while I was in high school.. Thats where I picked most of my knowledge up..

ken0042 · 09-20-2007, 08:56 PM

Quick search shows that in 1995 Mazda offered a 1.8L 4 cyl or a 2.0L V6.

burn_this_city · 09-20-2007, 09:03 PM

1995 Protege es

Description:Compact 4-door sedan
Model Options:Compact 4-door sedan
Wheelbase:102.6 inches
Overall Length:174.8 inches
Engine Size OHC 1.5-L I-4 16v DOHC 1.8-L I-4 16v
Transmission:Manual/5, Auto/4
Drive:Front
Braking:Power disc/drum/ABS ES:
Power 4-disc/ABS
Airbags:2
Gas Mileage:31/39 mpg
MSRP Price:$ 12,000 to $ 16,500

Base Price $ 16,145 Price As Tested $ 18,645 Engine Type I-4, dohc - 16v, pfi Engine Size 1.8 liter/112 cid Horsepower 122 @ 6000 Torque (ft/lbs) 117 @ 4000 Wheelbase/Length 103"/175 Transmission four-speed automatic w/overdrive Curb Weight 2620 Pounds per Horsepower 21 Fuel Capacity 13 Fuel Requirement Unleaded regular (87 oct) Tires Bridgestone Potenza P185/65R14 M+S Brakes antilock-standard ventilated disc/disc Drive Train Front engine/front drive

prarieboy · 09-20-2007, 09:41 PM

Is it possible the car is overfilled with oil?? I did this once to a honda civic and I could not believe the smoke coming out of that thing.
Oh the days of being my own mechanic.......

Barnes · 09-20-2007, 10:59 PM

I'm pretty sure the protege never came with a V6. The 323s did.

Is the engine leaking any coolant or oil? Any goop on the engine's sides?