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[HELP] 2004 Hyundai Sonata Head Gasket Repair!!
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bdub3
New User
Oct 10, 2015, 9:40 PM
Post #1 of 3
(1495 views)
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[HELP] 2004 Hyundai Sonata Head Gasket Repair!!
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Hello, first off I would like to say that I am new to this forum and hope to find some help to my questions so that I can sleep in peace tonight.
So basically, I have an 04 Hyundai Sonata V6 Engine (2 head gaskets) with 170,000 miles on the engine. I have had the radiator and timing belt replaced 40,000 & 10,000 miles ago. I also do believe that the car has had/does have a coolant leak some where in the engine. With this said, I have also been told that the head gasket is loose and thought it was time to replace it. I am getting the job done by a friends relative who is a mechanic in Mexico and therefore I am able to get the job done for ~$600 versus $1600 quote from the shop I usually go to. Now, you can see why this makes me uneasy and a little skeptical about what can happen with a faulty repair especially with a job like this. I have read horrifying stories of people of rods going through engines, oil bursting out engines, liquids seeping into parts they should not be in and causing corrosion that led to ultimate death of their car, and new head gaskets being unable to support their counterparts. I believe that this guy is a good mechanic, but everybody makes mistakes. What are some questions/confirmations that I should ask him about how he replaced my head gasket BEFORE I drive the car out of the garage and back to US. For example, was all the oil/coolant drained prior to repair, etc. Please throw me ANYTHING you might think would be helpful in this scenario and avoid the costly damage that a faulty head gasket repair could have on my engine. Thanks so much! Hope the community can save me on this one and make my car live a long, happy life! :)
Update: The parts being replaced are the head gaskets, new seal, new radiator hose (apparently it was bad, was soft when engine was running), and a new thermostat. He also mentioned he will be pulling the entire engine about because it is a 6 cylinder and there is not enough room to be working inside the engine bay.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 10, 2015, 10:38 PM
Post #2 of 3
(1487 views)
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Re: [HELP] 2004 Hyundai Sonata Head Gasket Repair!!
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The list for performing proper head gasket replacement is extremely long. He should have access to the manufacture's service information of head gasket removal, inspection, and reassembly hopefully. You shouldn't have to remove the engine to pull the heads on that one. Head bolts will probably need to be replaced and the heads and possibly the block decks may need valve or machine work due to mileage or other issues.
Since this is being done under the table by a non licensed or insured repair shop, you are fully liable for anything that goes wrong, either that be from improper service procedures to defective or inferior parts.
Did you get some other quotes from other shops in your area? I've never heard of head gaskets being loose. What makes you believe the engine has a coolant leak internally? Did you have the coolant system pressure tested? 2.7L really aren't known for head gasket issues unless you overheat the crap out of them.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 10, 2015, 10:41 PM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 11, 2015, 12:58 AM
Post #3 of 3
(1483 views)
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Re: [HELP] 2004 Hyundai Sonata Head Gasket Repair!!
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I wouldn't do it. #1 reason is that vehicles sold to Mexico do NOT have to comply with specs required by vehicles sold to the US and Canada. Total specs can be different and the information could be difficult at best.
You are totally on your own upon return and no recourse if the car never comes back at all!
IMO too risky on too many fronts, T
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