Replace engine or fix head gaskets

Asked by migration_Jevonmmaso... Jan 30, 2016 at 12:03 PM about the 2005 Nissan Altima 2.5

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2005 nissan altima the car
want start. I was told that the head
gaskets are blown and there's
water in my oil. Is it better for me to
replace the engine or fix the
gaskets and whatever other
problems I may have? I don't really
know anything about cars and
repairs so could you please give me
some insight.

17 Answers

86,785

How many miles are on your car?

3 people found this helpful.
86,785

Do yourself a favor and replace the car. If you have the original transmission, that's likely the next thing to fail. Is it the original transmission? Most cars can easily make it to 200,000 miles, BUT, if you replace the engine, I'm sure that you will not feel as if you're getting your money's worth unless you hit that milestone. There are only two reasonable options, repair the engine and drive it for another few years, or donate the car. You can't sell it in the condition and get a good price. Are you really ready for a rocky road on more repairs?

7 people found this helpful.

If you really like the car you could put another engine in it and drive it for another 200,000 but keep in mind that the rest of the car is getting old too. My choice would probably be to do the head gaskets if the rest of the car was in good shape and the head gasket job was not too expensive. You need to see what the car is worth when fixed and compare that to the cost of replacing the head gaskets. The car is only worth $200 to $500 not running.

5 people found this helpful.
86,785

By the way, don't do an engine exchange, they're generally garbage. Rebuilding your engine is the best way. Engine exchanges mean you don't really know what was done.

3 people found this helpful.

It is hard to find a quality engine rebuilder these days due to the popularity of crate engines. There are good and bad crate engines so do your research and find a good source that warranties their engines. The quality sources will tell you exactly what they do when rebuilding an engine.

86,785

Look, you're OVER 200,000 miles, don't throw good money after bad, get yourself a replacement car. When you have this many miles, its just a matter of time for remaining major system failures. Find a good independent mechanic if you really want to keep this car and analyze just how many more years you expect to keep this car. The shorter the time, the less likely this makes sense. Good luck.

2 people found this helpful.
30

Head gasket blown out from maxima Nissan 1996, how much is it to repair

3 people found this helpful.
86,785

MamiCyn- listen, IF your able to financially do it, get a newer car. The cheapest thing is to fix the old car....

2 people found this helpful.
20

My 2002nissan radiator pipe got burst and the gasket blow up , what's do I do?

2 people found this helpful.
10

I have oil in three spark plug cycling ears under the coil pack is this mean I have a blown head gasket?

1 people found this helpful.

No it just means u need valve cover gaskets but it can cause ur car 2 run rough and miss

Or you can tighten up the valve cover bolts. My sisters valve cover was leaking oil around one corner. And about 2 or 3 bolts in that corner were not tight. Vibrations over the years must of loosened them. Save money just try to tighten them! If it still leaks get a new one.

A new valve cover gasket set. A lot just have the valve cover gasket. You want the valve cover gasket, the spark plug gaskets or seals and bolt seals.

10

I have a 1995 Nissan Maxima oil is coming from the dipstick and it is brown milky causing it to run hot .

1 people found this helpful.

I have a 2011 Nissan Altima with 161,113 miles and it jump timing along with blown head gasket I order the parts to fix the problem my question is how long will my car last once the problem is fix

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