Blown head gasket on NA Roadster - Perth

rob01 · Postby **rob01** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 5:31 pm

Hi everyone,

Long time lurker here. My partner's car (1990 Eunos Roadster) broke down yesterday after it overheated. When the RAC guy came, he said that there was a crack on the top of the radiator and the engine oil was running low, so we got it towed thinking that we would need to replace the radiator and possibly fix an oil leak. I just got a call from the RAC saying that it had failed a cylinder test due to a blown head gasket, and that it would cost $3500 to fix :shock:

We only had it fully serviced by them a few months ago so it came as a bit of a shock to us. They mentioned that we could look at possibly sourcing an engine and they would charge us labour costs, but advised against it due to lack of warranty and good second hand engines being hard to source.

What are our options? Are we better off taking it to an MX5 specialist in Perth? If so, could someone recommend one? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Just spent $400 last week replacing the brake calipers, and have a replacement soft-top sitting in the garage!

Thanks,
Rob

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 7:25 pm

rob01 wrote:I just got a call from the RAC saying that it had failed a cylinder test due to a blown head gasket, and that it would cost $3500 to fix

Dreamin - you could get a low km Eunos Roadster B6 engine for $500.

See Steve Lee (& only Steve Lee) @ KYP <http://www.kyp.com.au> is the go to MX5 mech in Perth.

Some other MX5 Perth info here: viewtopic.php?f=29&t=55269

rob01 · Postby **rob01** » Wed Nov 14, 2012 8:07 pm

Thanks mate, we've had the car for 6 years now and it's been great up until recently. I've seen Steve's name pop up a few times, should have taken it to him a long time ago it seems.

rob01 · Postby **rob01** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 1:08 pm

Just spoke with Steve, nice guy, said that it would cost $2200 to replace the engine (including labour). Radiator and any other parts that need to be replaced would be extra. So I might just tow it to him and see how it all goes, I'm wondering if it's worth fixing the car since it's getting a bit old.. might have to bite the bullet if it's going to be too much work :frown:

deviant · Postby **deviant** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 3:23 pm

It is only the head gasket....You do not need to replace the engine unless it overheated to the point of picking up a bearing or cracking the thing!

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:01 pm

Yeah, if it's only a blown head gasket then no need to replace the motor unless it was dríven some distance while overheated &/ or oil was below the fill mark & damage has occurred.

Ask Steve to have a look at it to determine what the problem, if any, is beyond a head gasket. But agree, depending on how many kms the car has done & its condition, you really have to weigh up if it's worthwhile, especially if you don't plan on keeping it for a number of years.

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:26 pm

A replacement engine is often cheaper than having the gasket replaced.

Dann

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:39 pm

NitroDann wrote:A replacement engine is often cheaper than having the gasket replaced.

Dann

But remember that by the sounds of it the OP will be paying labour costs for a mechanic.

The gasket it worth what, $100 say? then whatever labour on top.

The workshop quoted $2000 for the engine to be replaced (which seems about right for what other people have been charged by shops in the past)

If the shop charges $100ph labour, would a head gasket take 19hours to change it? I'd hope not!

If able to swap the engine yourself though, that makes it a LOT cheaper.

Postby **NitroDann** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 4:50 pm

Head bolts 100, VRS kit 250, potential maching surfaces flat, and you have to pay labour before you even know if it will need machining.

What if the bores have rusted due to water?

Im just throwing it out there.

Dann

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:00 pm

NitroDann wrote:Im just throwing it out there.

Absolutely, which is why I said above OP should be able to get a good 2nd hand B6 motor for $500 or less in WA. OP may be best off sourcing his own 2nd hand B6 motor & taking it to Steve to swap over.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Thu Nov 15, 2012 5:03 pm

NitroDann wrote:Head bolts 100, VRS kit 250, potential maching surfaces flat, and you have to pay labour before you even know if it will need machining.

What if the bores have rusted due to water?

Im just throwing it out there.

Dann

Fair call, didn't think about those.

I just assumed it was gasket blows, car gets hot, stop immediately and get a tow before it heats to the point of warping the head.

rob01 · Postby **rob01** » Fri Nov 16, 2012 4:47 pm

Yeah I asked about that when explaining the problems, they said from the sounds of the problems (oil leaking into radiator, failed cylinders etc) it would be easier and safer to replace it with a newer engine, especially if there are other problems that they find while machining it etc. Getting it towed to KYP today, so we'll see how it all goes. They may look at it and find that the engine can be salvaged.

I might even get a few other things fixed to bring the car up to scratch, since they also have a paint/panel shop behind them that they use, give the car a new lease on life