325_driver 422 Report post Posted September 16, 2007 Hi there my brothers car just hit the sack too. it doesnt start, weve taken it in and aparantly its got a blown head gasket. im going to do it my self since parents dont have the money. but before i get on my way to do it, can a blown head gasket actually stop a car from starting?? the mechanic mentioned whether it could be hi end damage or low end damage whats the difference ? having a blown head gasket whats the worst case senario ? some one care to expand, so i can get started and get the right parts any help would be awsome Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 64 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 Hi there my brothers car just hit the sack too. it doesnt start, weve taken it in and aparantly its got a blown head gasket. im going to do it my self since parents dont have the money. but before i get on my way to do it, can a blown head gasket actually stop a car from starting?? the mechanic mentioned whether it could be hi end damage or low end damage whats the difference ? having a blown head gasket whats the worst case senario ? some one care to expand, so i can get started and get the right parts any help would be awsome Sell it $1 reserve, as is where is, on TradeMe... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
325_driver 422 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 Why ? Ive been told to fix it by my parents, (yes its not bmw) but whats the worst case senario of a blown head gasket,? any one else care to expand?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jjs 64 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 Why ? Ive been told to fix it by my parents, (yes its not bmw) but whats the worst case senario of a blown head gasket,? any one else care to expand?? I just say that as its often not worth the investment repairing. What year / engine is it? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jpp 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 From my experience, mechanics of all kinds will jump to the conclusion of a vechile having a blown head gasket 85% of the time. I then capitalise on it and buy the cars, and do the little things, like replacing a radiator, or changing a hose, and the car works fine. Some mechanics will see the car overheating, and assume its overheating due to the cracked head gasket. What actually happens when you turn the key? Clicking? Nothing? Lights work? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 Why ?Because you can buy a good Vectra for less than the repair. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ducatiss 1 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 A decent mechanic will able to diagnose this for you with some sort of certainty. That said, if it it a blown head gasket then it may be worth seeing if you can get a second hand engine for it. The worst case scenario is that the head is cracked or warped requiring expensive repair or replacement. depending on millage covered and general condition of the engine it may not be worth doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gmccormack 0 Report post Posted September 17, 2007 (edited) can a blown head gasket actually stop a car from starting?? having a blown head gasket whats the worst case senario ? some one care to expand, so i can get started and get the right parts any help would be awsome Yes, a blow head gasket can stop the car from starting, but usually only in extreme cases. If enough water makes its way into the cylinders it can foul the plugs causing a misfire/hard starting/no starting.Worst case senario; The head gasket is not the problem and instead the head is cracked and only good for scrap, along with the piston rings and the cars cooling system. If things have gotten really bad the over heating may have caused a ring to break and scoured the bores too. Edited September 17, 2007 by Graeme Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madandy 0 Report post Posted September 18, 2007 Seek a 2nd or 3rd opinion & confrim beyond doubt that the gasket has indeed failed. As stated it may be far cheaper to just throw that POS engine away & fit another...which may or may not fail in the same way in the not too distant future. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
325_driver 422 Report post Posted September 18, 2007 we need to find a better mechanic . . . . . . . some how he jumped to a blown head gasket because there was water in the fuel tank . . . . well, only to realise there was 10 ltrs of water in the tank . . . . some how. aparantly my brother has enemies. so it had 10 ltrs water and 10 petrol . . .. which could have been the reason why it didnt start . . and sure enough after cleaning out the tank, fired straight away what alot of hype for such a stupid think !!!! Sorry to cause fuss, all the more reason to have locking petrol caps on your beamers GUYS !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
madandy 0 Report post Posted September 19, 2007 LOL. trying to make a hydrogen powered Bimmer aye?! good news mate. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hotwire 352 Report post Posted September 19, 2007 we need to find a better mechanic . . . . . . . some how he jumped to a blown head gasket because there was water in the fuel tank . . . . well, only to realise there was 10 ltrs of water in the tank . . . . some how. aparantly my brother has enemies. so it had 10 ltrs water and 10 petrol . . .. which could have been the reason why it didnt start . . and sure enough after cleaning out the tank, fired straight away what alot of hype for such a stupid think !!!! Sorry to cause fuss, all the more reason to have locking petrol caps on your beamers GUYS !!! a**hole trick, but who's the so called mechanic? Water in petrol - hardly relates to a head gasket? Must admit though that contaminated fuel is not the first suspicion for a non starting car (unless it is known) But a blown head gasket aint that hard to diagnose... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
