Bad head gasket? how much?

[nositting]

i think i smell coolant and my coolant is running low. this might be bad. i have one of those liquid testers but haven’t used it yet. perhaps tomorrow night? if this is a head gasket, what’s the ballpark figure on having a dealer fix it? and if i want them to do the plugs while they’re in there? how much will that tack on?
2019 3.6 with 98k
thanks for any info

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[SadRobot]

i think i smell coolant and my coolant is running low. this might be bad. i have one of those liquid testers but haven’t used it yet. perhaps tomorrow night? if this is a head gasket, what’s the ballpark figure on having a dealer fix it? and if i want them to do the plugs while they’re in there? how much will that tack on?
2019 3.6 with 98k
thanks for any info

I think it depends on your location. The dealer is going to be more than a local mechanic. If it's just the head gaskets you're looking around 6k-7k range. When my head gasket blew I opted to replace the engine in my driveway for that same 7k. To get a mechanic to swap an engine you are looking at around 12k though. These are CA prices so PA I imagine will be slightly cheaper.

 

[Terrymo]

Doesn’t your dealership tell you their set hourly rate and the preset amount of time they charge for a specific job?

 

[SadRobot]

Doesn’t your dealership tell you their set hourly rate and the preset amount of time they charge for a specific job?

I thought they charge it by body part. Head gaskets cost an arm and a leg. Adding spark plugs costs 1 kidney.

 

[Terrymo]

I thought they charge it by body part. Head gaskets cost an arm and a leg. Adding spark plugs costs 1 kidney.

Well I also have one first born son to sell into indentured servitude if need be.

 

[SadRobot]

Well I also have one first born son to sell into indentured servitude if need be.

Is that why ya'll are out there having kids? Perhaps I need to re-think my life strategy.

 

[Terrymo]

Is that why ya'll are out there having kids? Perhaps I need to re-think my life strategy.

Pretty sure any financial planner would deem them to be a poor return on investment.

 

[SadRobot]

Pretty sure any financial planner would deem them to be a poor return on investment.

Who needs children when you have a Jeep to suck up all your money.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

A 2019 with almost 100K miles on it almost isn't worth the repair if the repair is going to be $7000. How much in mods due you have? Might be better to top off the coolant and trade it in. Just be quiet about the possible head gasket if you go that route.

This is one of those repairs that is hard to swallow paying for. Been there, done that, its not an easy decision but it might be the better decision in the long run.

 

[Stuckinthesand]

A 2019 with almost 100K miles on it almost isn't worth the repair if the repair is going to be $7000. How much in mods due you have? Might be better to top off the coolant and trade it in. Just be quiet about the possible head gasket if you go that route.

This is one of those repairs that is hard to swallow paying for. Been there, done that, its not an easy decision but it might be the better decision in the long run.

I'd rather pay for the repair than have another payment at todays prices and interest rates. It is already a 7 year old vehicle. 7k for another 100k miles and 7 years. sign me up.

 

[areuriding]

Maybe try a trusted local shop instead of dealer?

 

[Traveller128]

Well I also have one first born son to sell into indentured servitude if need be.

Engine swap. They might throw in a steering stabilizer for that.

 

[hamiamham69]

Are you losing oil as well? Possible it’s the oil cooler?

 

[SadRobot]

Just another note that those liquid tester kits are not always accurate. I bought one and when I tested the color never changed. When I was eventually able to get a camera down into the cylinders there was oil in there so the head gasket had blown.

 

[Jebiruph]

The coolant loss and smell with my 2018 3.6 was a leaky radiator.

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