To junk or not to junk

**HEADWEST** · 07-16-2013

Recently bought a 05 GP GTP COMP G for my son car has 119k miles. Car had check engine light on (code random misfire) and the car started really ruff in the morning. Then we noticed the temp rising so I got on the forum for possible causes. Most people said the LIM had gone South so I took it to my mechanic to have it checked out. He checked the LIM and said he found no damage, also did some chemical test to see if exhaust was getting in cooling system. Came back negative. He said the radiator was clogged with stop leak and the water pump had water coming out of the little hole. (not sure what they call the hole) Replaced radiator, water pump and misc. parts. He told us to drive it awhile to see if any other problems came up. The car seemed fine a couple of days but then my son noticed the temp gauge creeping up when he was stopped. Took it back to the mechanic yesterday and he called and said he ran the chemical test again and it failed. He also said the number one cylinder spark plug was wet. I asked if the head gasket had blown and he said yes. This is the part I don't understand, he's talking like the engine is no good and has to be replaced with a Jasper rebuilt engine or a used low mileage engine. In the old days if we blew a head gasket we pulled the intake, and heads, took them to a machine shop and had a valve job done and replaced the head gaskets. Please give me your thoughts on this and if another engine is warranted. Besides the temp increasing the engine runs great. It seems a shame to junk the engine (and expensive) for a blown head gasket. THANKS

**Bluemagic** · 07-16-2013

Head gasket failures are super rare on these vehicles. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

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**HEADWEST** · 07-16-2013

I spoke to the mechanic just now and I misundertstood what he said. He didn't say it was a head gasket for sure. There is no water in the oil. Coolant is seeping into #1 cyl. somehow. He said it's almost as much labor to pull the heads as it is to pull the engine. He gave me two quotes that almost gave me a heart attack. The first was for a Jasper rebuilt W/ 3 year unlimited mileage for 6k (more than I paid for the car) The second was a used engine W/120K miles for 4k. I can only imagine that includes all labor cost. I called Biloxi Auto recyclers and they found a engine with 120k miles for 1500.00. There's a guy in Pascagoula that will pull the old engine and install the new engine for 1000.00. Ive used him once before and he did the job on time and on budget. Any suggestions?

**Bluemagic** · 07-16-2013

All of those prices are high, there's guy selling a engine in the for sale section for like 400 bucks with 121,000 miles if you want to go that route. These engines aren't hard to come by and they aren't expensive either.

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**tms8582** · 07-16-2013

1500 sounds high for a motor... but a grand for an install is about right. My friends shop charges $800.00 to install a motor but they are about the lowest around. Your car has a L32 super charged V6 right? I think the 5.3 v8's were in the GTX only... If it was my car I'd pull the heads and see what's going on. Maybe the head is cracked or warped from overheating... You really don't know anything about a junk yard motor and it's a crap shoot. I recently bought a used head from a machine shop all cleaned up looking new for $50.00. The lower end on these motors usually last 200,000 miles or more and you would know that the LIM gasket is new and the heads are good if you fixed your motor. Would the guy in Pascagoula fix your motor? I would think your motor could be fixed for much less than $2500. With only 120 miles people on this forum usually only trash these motors if the lower end is broken with a chipped piston or rod knock etc...

**Below Average Joe** · 07-16-2013

v8 is only GXP not GTX

**Scottydoggs** · 07-16-2013

i think you and your son should dive it there and tear it apart, then fix it. it clearly seems you have a clue. diy saves a ton of money.

if its a head gasket, those are cheap enough, but make sure you buy new head bolts, they are one time use only.

or if your not into that so much, lol and you want to swap the engine, do your own leg work for a used engine. craigslist parts outs, ebay, local junk yards would be your next stop.

most shops by be charge around 500 to swap a engine, (labor) drive around, look for the shop with engines piled up out side lol that guy does engine swaps, some shops just dont want to do a swap, so they over charge hoping you will go a way.

used engines go from 4 to 800 easy. you dont have to get a 04 + engine, a 97-03 engine will also work. just swap your blower and 04 related stuff to the new engine.

**Burbman** · 07-16-2013

Antifreeze in the cylinder is not necessarily a head gasket, could be the LIM gasket is leaking, that's where I would start. When the head gasket fails it allows coolant to seep into the cylinders from the coolant passages in the head. When the LIM gasket fails, it allows coolant into the intake, which then gets sucked into the cylinders through the intake valves.

**98ctd** · 07-16-2013

Tear the intake off and start there. Then pull the heads. Get a valve job done and replace the gaskets and bolts. It's not that hard to do. Just takes time.

**Kilroy** · 07-19-2013

Not sure how far away this is from you, but might be a good idea for your needs. Found it in the Craig's list thread. It supposed to be a brand new crate engine, and the guy wants $2,000.00 for it. Just thought I'd mention it to you.

GM 3800 V6 Supercharged Engine

**HEADWEST** · 07-20-2013

Thanks very much. I'm going to pick the car up this afternoon if it gets fixed but if he tells me that it's still leaking and my block is cracked I will definitely give this guy a call.