Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
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Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
Hello all, this is my first post and was looking for some feedback as to if it's worth the hassle to buy this car.
car.Its a 2004 Civic with 170k on the clock,it's from a trusted friend of mine who took it to the shop recently and was told it needs a head gasket . He doesn't want to stick the money into it so called me and asked if I'd be interested in it.
He is asking $2500 for it .
I'm no ace mechanic but with the help of the Internet I think I could do the job myself.
Does this sound like a good deal or do I pass??
Thank you for your advice in advance!!
car.Its a 2004 Civic with 170k on the clock,it's from a trusted friend of mine who took it to the shop recently and was told it needs a head gasket . He doesn't want to stick the money into it so called me and asked if I'd be interested in it.
He is asking $2500 for it .
I'm no ace mechanic but with the help of the Internet I think I could do the job myself.
Does this sound like a good deal or do I pass??
Thank you for your advice in advance!!
Re: Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
$2500 for a none running car with 170k is too much imo. It is not to difficult of a DIY job but you won’t know if the head is warped or if headgasket sealer was put in the car and you will need to replace lots of other things like the heater core. For me I would have to get it for like $500 to feel comfortable with fixing it and coming out on top.
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Re: Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
At 170k it pretty much is time to also do the timing belt job.
How’s the radiator, engine mounts,brakes, axels, wheel bearings, shocks and springs, tires, control arms, seats, door gaskets, wipers, A/C, and transmission maintaince history?
The timing belt / head gasket job replacing seals and gaskets and other parts while it’s all apart can easily go past $750 in parts alone. Add in machine shop fee, and tools you need to buy.
Agree, glad he was upfront with you that it has a major issue, but thinking you can just grab a socket set and a Amazon / EBay kit for $50 will not likely work out well for you.
How’s the radiator, engine mounts,brakes, axels, wheel bearings, shocks and springs, tires, control arms, seats, door gaskets, wipers, A/C, and transmission maintaince history?
The timing belt / head gasket job replacing seals and gaskets and other parts while it’s all apart can easily go past $750 in parts alone. Add in machine shop fee, and tools you need to buy.
Agree, glad he was upfront with you that it has a major issue, but thinking you can just grab a socket set and a Amazon / EBay kit for $50 will not likely work out well for you.
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So you know what you're getting into... I found out right after I bought the car the head gasket was blown, I got screwed but decided to tackle it.
Having also discovered some mechanic in bottle having been used, I have invested about $600 in parts and minor tools, and about 8-10 hours to make the following happen:
Head Gasket
Intake Gasket
Exhaust Gasket
Spool Valve and Gasket
Water Pump
Tensioner
Timing Belt
Alternator (was the original)
Spark Plugs
Radiator
Radiator Fan
Thermostat
Overflow Tank
+ all the gaskets involved in taking that stuff apart (valve cover gasket kit, etc).
--who knows what else I will run into to. So, consider you are really spending at least $3K - what else could you get for $3-4K??? That is the real question to ask yourself in my opinion.
GOOD LUCK! It really isn't that hard of a repair, it just takes a lot of time and courage.
Having also discovered some mechanic in bottle having been used, I have invested about $600 in parts and minor tools, and about 8-10 hours to make the following happen:
Head Gasket
Intake Gasket
Exhaust Gasket
Spool Valve and Gasket
Water Pump
Tensioner
Timing Belt
Alternator (was the original)
Spark Plugs
Radiator
Radiator Fan
Thermostat
Overflow Tank
+ all the gaskets involved in taking that stuff apart (valve cover gasket kit, etc).
--who knows what else I will run into to. So, consider you are really spending at least $3K - what else could you get for $3-4K??? That is the real question to ask yourself in my opinion.
GOOD LUCK! It really isn't that hard of a repair, it just takes a lot of time and courage.
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Hey , thank you all very much for your immediate replys and detailed input.
After reading your posts I think I'll pass on the car. I also thought his price was high as I was thinking more in the $1,000 dollar range but him being a friend I didn't want to insult him with a counter offer.
After all the detailed help I got from you guys on this forum I almost wanted to buy it so I could hang out here as you seem like a friendly bunch!!
Who knows, maybe he will try to sell it and find out he can't get rid of it at that price and give it to me for what it's really worth and I will get to come back here..
Thank you all again.
After reading your posts I think I'll pass on the car. I also thought his price was high as I was thinking more in the $1,000 dollar range but him being a friend I didn't want to insult him with a counter offer.
After all the detailed help I got from you guys on this forum I almost wanted to buy it so I could hang out here as you seem like a friendly bunch!!
Who knows, maybe he will try to sell it and find out he can't get rid of it at that price and give it to me for what it's really worth and I will get to come back here..
Thank you all again.
Re: Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
We are a friendly bunch! Really if the car is in great condition interior wise, cosmetically and the stuff that Slumpert mentioned was done or in good shape I would pay $1000 for it. I understand not wanting to insult him but maybe ask where he got the price from. Is that KBB minus what the mechanic quoted him? Still seems high to me but it depends a lot on your area too. A Honda around me goes for top dollar, more then most vehicles.
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Yea, I'm not sure where he came up with the price. Originally told me he thought it was worth $4500 (which I thought was high) after he took in to the shop and they quoted him $1000 for the repair he called me and said he would sell it to me for $2500.
He is still driving it, so how long before it overheats?? Then I won't want it at any price.
He is still driving it, so how long before it overheats?? Then I won't want it at any price.
Re: Opinions an 04 with blwn head gasket
Depends, it can take a while to overheat or it can overheat in a matter of minutes once operating temp is reached. The constant overheating and cooling of the head is just going to cause it more war-page. Might just want to factor in the cost of a reman head or having a shop fix it.
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