Cylinder Head Machine Work (HG Job)

[hawaiian05]

I'm looking for some opinions regarding how involved I should get on an upcoming head gasket job. 2002 3.4 with 180k. Slow leaking head gasket, but no overheating. I've called a local machine shop and was quoted two options:

1. Inspect (for cracks, etc.), resurface, and clean both heads for $350.

2. Complete rebuild of heads, including grinding valves, seats, new seals, etc. for $1300.

With a 180k on the odometer, but runs fine other than that, would you guys invest in the full rebuild, or just resurface and call it good?

Any opinions/suggestions or prior experience greatly appreciated!

 

[Nate_GB]

How do you know you have a slow leaking head gasket? Combustion gases in the coolant? I'd want to be pretty positive on that before I get that deep into the engine.

If it's a very slow leak, I would probably consider just topping off the coolant every month or so.

Assuming there is a leak and you don't want to just top off now and then, I'd probably go the cheaper route. These engines and heads routinely last to 300k miles. So you drop $350 on head resurface and check up and drive to 300-350k miles. By the time it gets there, you're probably looking at full rebuild or replacement engine. At the $1300 price point, you are approaching used engine cost.

I think it depends how long you want to keep the truck. If you plan on keeping it forever, I'd probably drop the big money on the head rebuild so that they're ready for another 200-300k miles and then once 300-350k miles comes around look at rebuilding the bottom end.

P.S. Don't forget to check the block for straightness while the heads are off.

 

[hawaiian05]

It started with a P0300, slight missing upon startup, and a slow loss of coolant. Now I'm topping my reservoir off every 10 days or so, and keeping a real good eye on it. I parked it for a week to see what would happen and it smoked/missed hard upon startup, then cleared out and runs jus fine otherwise. It passed a block test, but that was months ago before the symptoms got to where they are now.
But as you mentioned, I have a friend who also suggested jus resurfacing/cleaning, then doing a full rebuild down the line, granted I still have the truck. And as for how long I plan on keeping it, I say forever, but we all know things change. Plus I don't have a history of keeping vehicles longer than four years or so, but figure I need to fix the immediate problem in the meantime.

 

[69project]

I would do option one unless you have other symptoms like oil consumption. It also depends on what is in your wallet and long term plans for the truck. $1300 seems kind of high for a complete valve job.

I would not continue to drive on this problem. Nothing good will come out of it and they don't fix themselves.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'm looking for some opinions regarding how involved I should get on an upcoming head gasket job. 2002 3.4 with 180k. Slow leaking head gasket, but no overheating. I've called a local machine shop and was quoted two options:

1. Inspect (for cracks, etc.), resurface, and clean both heads for $350.

2. Complete rebuild of heads, including grinding valves, seats, new seals, etc. for $1300.

With a 180k on the odometer, but runs fine other than that, would you guys invest in the full rebuild, or just resurface and call it good?

Any opinions/suggestions or prior experience greatly appreciated!

Nothing wrong with replacing/resurfacing the heads if you have a crack or know you have a leak or it's cracked. Mileage doesn't matter on these things so 180K is nothing. You'll probably get another 300K plus.

Whatever you do DO NOT rebuild the heads. They're "matched" to your engine. If you rebuild the top end without touching the bottom, you're asking for trouble. It's pretty risky.

Personally I ignore the numbers folks throw around on these. Heads will go when they decide to go. Mileage is not a factor. There are plenty on here with 350K plus.

If you're planning on spending 1300 on heads, you better just pick yourself up a low mileage short block, do the swap and call it good!

 

[octanejunkie]

If you can keep it happy just adding coolant I'd do that and have your exhaust gas analyzed for presence of coolant. Check your oil too.

If coolant is detected in either, then it's probably a warped or cracked head.

Did you overheat the truck?

 

[JWaldz]

It started with a P0300, slight missing upon startup, and a slow loss of coolant. Now I'm topping my reservoir off every 10 days or so, and keeping a real good eye on it. I parked it for a week to see what would happen and it smoked/missed hard upon startup, then cleared out and runs jus fine otherwise. It passed a block test, but that was months ago before the symptoms got to where they are now.

I'm in the SAME exact boat right now. Same symptoms.

I plan on doing a compression test and leak down test soon to diagnose. If it shows clear evidence of a leak I'll probably just look into replacing the motor. I'm at 206k. If you have a cracked head, you will likely be replacing it. Throw two new heads into the equation and the price keeps climbing.

 

[Rimcrew]

I'm guessing a cracked head, as well. This is more common that people will acknowledge.

You are probably better off getting a JDM replacement engine, vs. repairing yours - if you can do the swap yourself.

Having the head resurfaced is just part of the cost. You will need new head bolts, and a gasket set, as a minimum. You'll be around $500 for parts/fluids and you can pick up a JDM for around $800...

 

[jrbpit]

I'm looking for some opinions regarding how involved I should get on an upcoming head gasket job. 2002 3.4 with 180k. Slow leaking head gasket, but no overheating. I've called a local machine shop and was quoted two options:

1. Inspect (for cracks, etc.), resurface, and clean both heads for $350.

2. Complete rebuild of heads, including grinding valves, seats, new seals, etc. for $1300.

With a 180k on the odometer, but runs fine other than that, would you guys invest in the full rebuild, or just resurface and call it good?

Any opinions/suggestions or prior experience greatly appreciated!

$1300.00 for a valve job. Ouch. I had the heads rebuilt on my son's Chevy 4.3. It had 230k on it when we did the heads. He had a burnt exhaust valve on #4. Had heads planed, ground the valves, seats and seals for $380.00. Call Ritchie Machine in Capitol Heights, MD. and get a quote. You can probably ship them there and back and have them rebuilt for much less than $1,300.00.

 

[hawaiian05]

I really appreciate all the feedback. As for those that mentioned the possibility of a cracked head, I'll admit that it is a fear, especially reading more stories of 3rd gen guys experiencing it. Also, from what I'm seeing, it appears as if the leak is in cyl #3 (will recheck this weekend), which is the common failed cylinder (from others stories). I'll be doing another block test, followed by leak down test to confirm, but all other symptoms are pointing towards HG.

After hearing the opinions and talking to others, I'm definitely seeing the $1300 rebuild cost as being excessive. Unfortunately, we have limited resources here (Hawaii) and shipping is outrageous, so I'm unsure about shipping the heads out for work, let alone shipping a jdm motor. I'm leaning towards just checking/resurfacing, but still appreciate any insight.

 

[JWaldz]

Mine is cylinder #3 too. I'm guessing it's also a cracked head causing my issues. Surely Hawaii has salvage yards. Maybe check one to source a motor.

 

[hawaiian05]

I'm in the SAME exact boat right now. Same symptoms.

I plan on doing a compression test and leak down test soon to diagnose. If it shows clear evidence of a leak I'll probably just look into replacing the motor. I'm at 206k. If you have a cracked head, you will likely be replacing it. Throw two new heads into the equation and the price keeps climbing.

[MENTION=58830]JWaldz[/MENTION] Please keep me posted on the outcome of your situation. I've been searching the forum and coming across more of these exact circumstances, and near similar mileage. But ya I agree, replacing a head or two will definitely push it into the replacement engine cost. Nice rig by the way! Thanks!

 

[hawaiian05]

Out of curiousity, for those who've done head gaskets on these, are purchasing the whole oem "top end gasket set," which includes valve seals and what not, or jus the ala cart items such as HG, valve cover gaskets, came seals, etc?