500 Head gasket repair cost??

[Murano16v]

The OP had coolant loss. The engine could have overheated causing the head to warp ( hence the usual need for a head skim ) . A modern engine still consists of two halves bolted together. Both mating surfaces were flat 30 years. I doubt they've found a way of making things even flatter

 

[SteveTDCi]

From what the internet has taught me about both Pugs and Rovers its usually something to do with the coolant system itself rather than the engine and gasket.

I'd rather have a car with a head gasket issue compared to something like the BMW/PSA 1.6T/2.0d engine where the timing chain jumps or the VAG 1.8 TFSi where the hydraulic Tensioner drains of oil allowing the timing chain to jump ... Gaskets are relatively cheap to fix compared to a new engine

 

[306maxi]

The OP had coolant loss. The engine could have overheated causing the head to warp ( hence the usual need for a head skim ) . A modern engine still consists of two halves bolted together. Both mating surfaces were flat 30 years. I doubt they've found a way of making things even flatter

True, obviously it's not the engines fault if you run low on coolant, i was just trying to point out that hgf is not acceptable unless something like a coolant leak causes it.

 

[jrkitching]

The OP had coolant loss.

Once you've run the car without coolant, all bets are off. In terms of damage, HG failure may be the tip of the iceberg (or should that be volcano).

Which is why I recommended the OP to get rid of the car.

 

[bgunn]

Once you've run the car without coolant, all bets are off. In terms of damage, HG failure may be the tip of the iceberg (or should that be volcano).

Which is why I recommended the OP to get rid of the car.

I wouldn't condemn the car without examining the engine once it's apart. It'll be fairly easy to determine if it was seriously damaged in any way, overheating won't leave 'hidden' damage.

 

[ahmett]

Yeah my mom did that, no coolant at all and the red coolant light on! After that I think the engine became a bit 'messed up'! Anyway her VW Polo is now gone, so no need to think about that again! Some people really are car killers!