[Skinner]

G'day all.

Seems my 2.8 has done a head gasket. There has been no signs of anything happening over the space of a week, which was the last time I did a proper once over onte vehicle.
I noticed an oil leak on the bottom of the sump. I thought I'd give it a clean and have a check of the fuilds.
To my surpise, the overflow bottle had oil leaking from the seams. Opened up the radiator. What used to be green coolant is now home to a thick black sludge.

I'm dropping it off to a mechanics on Monday.

Question: what price should I look to be paying to get the head gasket replaced?

Cheers.
Skinner.

 

[Troys 5.7 GU]

Sounds like more than a head gasket. More like a new head. I presume the oil in the motor is sludge too.

 

[Skinner]

I found it odd that the oil in the sump was regular oil. No dilution.

I pulled the oil cooler off and pressure tested that to find it wasn't leaking. Leading me to a head gasket.

I hope it's not a new head.

 

[Skinner]

Update: turns out the substance in the radiator coolant wasn't oil. It's fuel. And the head has a crack in it in the web that sits between the two rear cylinders.

I've been quoted $4700 for a brand new head including everything, a new hose kit and labour (including flushing of the cooling system, new overflow tank and refill of the cooling system and major service)

Does this price seem fair?

 

[damo13]

you could buy a hole motor for less

 

[Skinner]

Closest I've seen is a long motor for $5150.

Everything else is fine. Block, pistons, crank are all sweet.

That price is all inclusive of everything. Including the major service and new hose kit plus fitting/labour.

It still seems like a lot of money considering I only payed $5250 for the truck in the first place.

 

[Skinner]

As I bought the car hail damaged. I'm pretty sure I won't get much for it, Let alone another turbo diesel GU for around 10k. That's assuming I get $5300 for this one.

In my opinion. I'm better to keep the truck, I can use it as a base for a later conversion or something.

At least once the new head goes on it will theoretically be like a new engine again, hopefully.

 

[UncleBryan]

How many kms on the vehicle?

 

[Troys 5.7 GU]

Rb25 it

 

[rseydler]

Some guy sells new complete heads on ebay for just over the 2k mark. Depending on your kms chances are that the cam will have a crack in it too.

That way you get new valves, new cam etc etc.

 

[MQ MAD]

4.7K push in drive out for new head and fitted ect seems fair
I paid 4.5K 5 odd years ago
Another bloke recently same issue cost him just under 3K parts alone and he done the work himself
Its one of those dam if you do dam if you dont

GUs with blown motors for sale recently are a vey common thing
Its either cut your lose and move up to something else ,or fix it

 

[Skinner]

How many kms on the vehicle?

290k

Some guy sells new complete heads on ebay for just over the 2k mark. Depending on your kms chances are that the cam will have a crack in it too.

That way you get new valves, new cam etc etc.

What I'm getting is a complete head with everything included. Cam, valves, seats. The whole kitchen sink. I think he said total cost of
The head Inc. GST was $2900 or something.

 

[T0nka]

Update: turns out the substance in the radiator coolant wasn't oil. It's fuel. And the head has a crack in it in the web that sits between the two rear cylinders.

I've been quoted $4700 for a brand new head including everything, a new hose kit and labour (including flushing of the cooling system, new overflow tank and refill of the cooling system and major service)

Does this price seem fair?

Phucking what!!

$4700??????????

Dreaming.

Give these guys a call- Engine Parts Truck and Bus Quality Original Components

Around $1900. take off the remain stuff on your current head and transplant it. cost $300 ish.

Total Cost for complete head $2200. NEW

ad labour.

 

[T0nka]

and its not a cheap chinese head either, its quality

 

[mahatma]

Hi Guys
I had a head fail 3 yrs ago and bought a new bar head from allcrash parts they import them
had the old valves swapped over etc fitted head myself cost under $1500
I havn't had any problem since.
Might be another avenue to try anyway

 

[truckster]

I'm pretty sure I won't get much for it, Let alone another turbo diesel GU for around 10k.

has been plenty of 2.8's going for that price.

That's assuming I get $5300 for this one.

you should fairly easily.

At least once the new head goes on it will theoretically be like a new engine again, hopefully.

Agree, but buying a used one you maybe just buying someone elses problems. fix it and drive it.

 

[Skinner]

Seeing as I'm fixing it. I won't be selling it.

It's an awesome motor. I can't wait to get it back.

 

[T0nka]

Agree, but buying a used one you maybe just buying someone elses problems. fix it and drive it.

My thoughts exactly.

 

[Skinner]

Update:
Head is fixed and truck is back in my possesion.
Have to say, I'm glad to have it back, hopefully it doesn't happen again.

Time to fit a 3" exhaust and dump and tune my DPchip a little bit more.

Thanks everyone for your input.