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2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Vitamink
User
Jun 4, 2014, 8:58 AM
Post #1 of 10
(1902 views)
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2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Hello gentlemen (and ladies if you're here),
So we have a Honda Minivan, 2003, 170k. Nice shape and runs very well, but a lot of miles on it. It's had the transmission redone (I believe) around 80-90k.
Recently we brought it in for scheduled maintenance and our mechanic found a coolant leak in the engine. Sent it to an engine shop and it appears there's a leak in the head gasket.
So I've been given two choices:
1) Have them pull the head and send it to the machine shop for, well, machining, and then they'd re-install it with a new gasket. This would run about $2,000, but the risk is that they go the effort of pulling the head and the machine shop says that it is damaged beyond repair, and all that labor is wasted.
2) Have them install an engine from a junkyard pull (probably 80-90k on it) with a new timing belt, plugs and water pump for $3,200. Of course, the risk here is that since it's a salvage engine, the only thing I'm guaranteed is that it won't be DOA.
So, as you can see, there are risks with both options and pros and cons either way. Any opinions or recommendations in regards to which route we should take?
Thanks very much!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2014, 9:26 AM
Post #2 of 10
(1891 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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With that kind of mileage the head being bad isn't the only risk. Doing a head on an engine that has that many miles is very risky for the rest of the engine and not recommended.
The used engine idea isn't bad. Buying a remanufactured engine is another option.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 4, 2014, 9:27 AM)
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Vitamink
User
Jun 4, 2014, 11:14 AM
Post #3 of 10
(1870 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Thanks for the input, HT. I was sort of leaning towards the engine replacement, given the relatively small difference in cost between the two options. They didn't mention the possibility of a rebuilt engine, but I will ask about the cost on that. If it comes with a warranty, that might be worth the cost down the road.
Do you have any thoughts on just how urgent this issue is? Obviously, it has to be dealt with, but if I'm planning to replace the engine anyhow, am I doing a bad thing if I just check the coolant levels daily and try to squeeze a few more months out of the current engine?
I ask, because the cost of repair would hit us pretty hard right now, but I have some contract work coming up in the next few months that could help with that. Ideally, I prefer to have money before spending money, but if it can't wait, it can't wait.
With that kind of mileage the head being bad isn't the only risk. Doing a head on an engine that has that many miles is very risky for the rest of the engine and not recommended.
The used engine idea isn't bad. Buying a remanufactured engine is another option.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 4, 2014, 11:36 AM
Post #4 of 10
(1866 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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If you refill the coolant every time the vehicle is used and only use it for short local driving, you can probably buy a little time but it could get much worse at any time with no warning.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Vitamink
User
Jun 6, 2014, 2:36 AM
Post #5 of 10
(1828 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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So a friend mentioned to me that they make a sealant product that you add to your cooler to help seal a leaky head. This sounds like snake oil to me, but I thought I'd ask...is this something that could possibly buy us a little more time before we have to replace the head/engine, or is it just asking for trouble?
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nickwarner
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 6, 2014, 10:08 AM
Post #8 of 10
(1819 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Radiator job is cheap compared to a plugged heater core. You don't want to know the price on that. As a general rule, anytime you see any sort of liquid that claims to seal a leak, it is garbage that should be avoided like herpes, as it will haunt you just like herpes will. But at least you can scrap the car to get rid of the issue.
If leak sealers worked, parts stores would just be a room with a shelf of bottles. The only way to fix a leak is to replace what is leaking. Thank you for asking before putting that crap in your car. You just saved yourself a lot of money. Many others are clueless victims who do not research beforehand and are left with a big bill when that crap gets into their car.
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Vitamink
User
Jun 16, 2014, 12:20 AM
Post #9 of 10
(1791 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Well, it turns out that this story has a happy ending. Decided to call around a few places to pick up some quotes on engine replacement, and one place told us that they were almost certain that, given the kind of engine, that the leak couldn't be in the head gasket. We brought it in to them and it turned out that the leak was in the coolant crossover tube, not the head gasket, as the previous engine place had told us.
Apparently, it's almost impossible for the engines in Honda Odysseys to leak coolant from the head, or something.
Anyhow..! It was an order of magnitude less expensive to repair, and I'm thankful for an attentive mechanic who was able to catch that before we cleaned out our savings on a salvage engine.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 16, 2014, 1:02 AM
Post #10 of 10
(1786 views)
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Re: 2003 Honda Odyssey - Replace Head Gasket vs Install Used Engine
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Glad to hear you had a happy ending.
We will close this now as solved.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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