I have a 96 2.5 and I drove it with a bad radiator for a about 3 weeks. Coolant was leaking but the engine never ran hot. I finally put on a new radiator in but last week I was driving on the highway and for some reason, it went straight to hot and I couldn't even drive it slowly. I looked for coolant but was almost empty. I just filled it with water and drove slowly to the dealer which happened to be somewhat close. Ok so to make it short, first the dealer said my head gasket was probably fried and confirmed that with the reading they got from the radiator. (when they measure the existence of gases emitted from the radiator caused when the coolant and oil mix). So, the gasket kit that includes all gaskets for the engine and install plus fixing an oil cooler O-ring leak costs 1600. Now, they mentioned something about additional charges to have the heads sent out to be cut or "sanded". Today I got a call from them. Now they're saying after taking apart the engine that the whole engine block is warped and that I basically need a NEW ENGINE. (?????) They want roughly 10 G's. Ok, so HOW FEASIBLE IS IT TO INSTALL A VIGOR ENGINE IN THERE? HOW ABOUT ANOTHER TL ENGINE? SHOULD I (DARE I SAY) TRADE IT IN AS IS? OR SHOULD I TRY AND HAVE A MECHANIC ATTEMPT TO FIX IT? I'M FOOKIN STUCK ON THIS ONE. IT SEEMS I REPLACED SO MANY PARTS FOR THIS CAR. I AM AT 180,000M (lol) WITH STOCK TRANNY. I NEED HELP QUICK CUZ THEY WANT THEIR RSX BACK!!

 

man thats alot of money 10gs hell no get a new car or trade in like that,also go to another dealer and get another estimate..good luck man

 

Call the places that have imported engine. I guess there's a lot of used engine for our cars from Japan.

 

thanx alot for the input fellas, it looks like im prob gonna take a loss on this one and call it a wash. Sheeet, the blue book for a 2.5 at 180,000 miles is 7G's in average condition! *sigh*

Does anyone else have any opinions on the engine swap idea that Han was talking about? About how much would it be to do an engine swap? I would prob just trade in the 92 Camry (240,000M stock tranny) then if I could. Any help would be appreciated...

 

A few years ago, I did an engine swap on an 1990 240ZX for a thousand something.

Man, you sure drive a lot !!!

 

**** u live in philly... if not i would refer u to my friend up here...

 

Thanks for all the help Kamlung, Han, and Miguel...im just fixing the head gaskets and going to drive it STRAIGHT to the dealer for trade in. I hope it even makes it there. this sux..i was really trying to hook my TL up. Aight fellas..it was fun reading all ur posts and information. I'll prob stop by here andf there just to check how ur rides r going..LATE! BTW im prob gettin the RSX. :p

 

yo where in philly are you
i am right over the betsy ross bridge

i might want to buy that car

 

???? I'm right over the Tacony Bridge. But the rides in Maple Shade right now getting the head gasket and all other gaskets fixed. I told you about the warped heads right? Regardless, my email is pazzogiuseppi@hotmail.com if ur interested.