if I were getting my T-belt and water pump replaced at 180k miles, how much additional work (labor) is involved in getting at the head gasket and repairing/replacing it?

my brother slightly overheated my LS montero by wheeling it pretty hard and I noticed some disappearing coolant and some white smoke. the dealer gave me a quote, but I want to keep them honest by asking some DIY guys on here.

this is on a 97 Montero LS

TIA
Scottie

Once you dig into the engine the sky is the limit. You could need new heads or discover other problems. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

It's a lot of extra work. Of course you have to remove the TB, but that in itself doesn't help you get to the heads. It took me a few hours of careful removal of everything on the top of the engine to get to the valve covers. No doubt the stealer will be quicker, but still. On the other hand the dealer I go to for parts said they don't see these 'old' (cheek!) Montero's anymore which made me wonder how much a young mechanic would have worked on one before <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

i had my gen1 head gasket replaced about 2 years ago. labor was around $400.

roger

It took me about 2 hours of work to replace the head gasket on my friends fwd Diamante that was against the firewall. I figure it wouldn't be much more work on a RWD. I have my Montero motor pulled to do the rebuild and got down to the heads in about 30 mins. I would say do it yourself, you will be way ahead of the game cost wise, you can also be assured its done right. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

problem is, I just don't have the time nor the know-how to try to do a head gasket...


where the heck did you get your head gasket replaced on your gen I montero for only $400???? they are charging me a lot more than that; is the gen I just that much easier than the gen II or did you get it done at a small shop somewhere?

Are you sure its actually a head gasket and not a lower intake gasket? I found those can go pretty easy if the engine gets hot. The cost between a Gen1 and a Gen2 head gasket can be pretty significant depending on what engine, is that a DOHC 3.5? Also, are they going to send the heads out for machining? It all depends on the amount of work your getting done. I know a basic head job with no machining can be in the 400 range

tell me more about this lower intake gasket thingy?

(shamelessly showing off of my freshly rebuilt 3.0 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)


In between the heads sits your lower intake, and coolent flows through it (both upper and lower radiator hoses connect through the lower intake). I know its pretty common on 4.3 chevys and happened when I blew a hose on my 3.0 Raider and had no choice but to drive it out of the construction zone on the highway. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

I would buy some UV dye and check for leaks around the lower intake before I would dedicate to a head job.

I don't believe that! You could work it out without a doubt. If you can successfully change a locking diff actuator... I understand the time part though. I have a tough time, no pun intended, with that too <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />