Head Gasket Leak Repair
Car details: 2007 Elantra GLS 78,000 miles , AT
So I bought the said car from a woman last summer, & when I got it it had zero
leak, my mechanic also looked at it BEFORE I bought it, and gave me a go
ahead to buy. May be it was just bad luck, or she somehow hid it, but I noticed
a small leak 2 months after I got it. Had the same guy check it out - he
diagnosed as a HG Leak. Got it confirmed by friend who works on cars. Since
I am 2nd owner, Hyundai warranty wont cover it. was given an Estimate for
repair b/w $900 [my guy] - $ 1200 [Stealership] , both include head analysis to
see if it is bent/warped. & resurfacing if needed,
The Leak:
appears to be to the outside from the engine, rather than into the engine, [see
picture http://imgur.com/06uhVQ5 ], so my coolant / oil have always been
clear, I now check oil & coolant level / color 2x per week.
oil has been described as 'not so small', Engine Oil it leaks from full to half [ as
measured with dipstick] in about 4 weeks, so I top it off with 5W20 as needed
Car Temp gauge remains about a quarter inch below the half way point.
I was not sure if the car was worth putting $$ in, so I had it 'looked closely',
apart from this, it will need front struts + other stuff totaling about $2100 for it
to pass inspection, due in summer 2016
My goal, as any person who buys used, is to put min $ in it and keep it legally
on the road if I can.
My questions are:
> if I keep the fluids topped up, what damage, if any, can occur ?
> are struts really needed to be OK to pass inspection [ I dont mind the bumpy
ride - as a matter of fact, I dont feel it any different ] and the GRAND question
> am I better off to sell it to someone who can work on it and cut my losses or
cuz of low mileage and body is good condition, put 2 grand in it ? [of course
its my choice, but what is your opinion as a mechanic]
Thank you for reading my lengthy post.
