To make and extremely long story a little bit more manageable, Yesterday had to be one of the worst days ever. I got up at 2am, the day after labor day. Pack the car and all to head the 2.5 hours back to Raleigh. About 10 miles up the interstate, my truck shudders, and I see that the water temperature is off the guage. So I pull off on the exit, get to the stop sign, and the truck shuts off. Steam pouring from under thehood. I wait for it to cool off, try to crank it back up, and limp down the hill to the gas station. I get there, again wait for it to cool off. Check the fluids, in the radiator resivoir, its half full, top it off, nothing happens, then for some reason, when I checked the radiator, it was empty, which is weird because its supposed to pull water from the resivoir, right? So anyway, I wait about two hours, then head back 10 miles in the opposite direction, to the mechanic. No overheating problem. Get there, he checks it out, and we let it run, and I even drove it around, no problem. So I figure at this point, at leas Ill get back for my afternoon class. Start on the way back to Raleigh, and get to near the NC/SC border, truck shuts off again. I push it about a quarter mile to a gas station, refill all the water, wait for it to cool down, so I could again head back toward florence, and the mechanic. 10 miles later, I have to stop. Refill fluids, and wait. then 5 miles, then 2 miles, and finally, as I tried to make the last run to the mechanics, I get on the on ramp, and the truck conks out. I end up calling a tow truck, he pulls up, and there's a big pile of and oil/water mixture that looks like a nasty pudding. Oh no, we get to the mechanic, and the worst happens, "it looks like a blown head gasket, or a cracked block." The day then continued by mehaving to drive another 60 miles to pick up a usable vehicle, and back. 2 am till 11pm, and I have to get up at 2 am, and try to leave tomorrow.

So my question to you TMSers, what should I do, the truck has 290k on it. Should I try to replace the head gasket, buy a new engine, or try to find a new car. Keep in mind, poor college kid here. What all will be involved with those?

 

Well,
First I guess find out how much to fix it, then decide if its worth it to you. 290,000 is alot but not crazy. I see your going to buy a new stang so getting by until you can get it could be a way to go unless its down the road some. Is it worth fixing? What year and what kind of truck do you have?

 

The mustang is probably a little further down the line than I want it to be. 2 years or so maybe. Im thinking about just getting a new engine. It's a 1991 Nissan D21 KingCab. Aside from the head gasket, its otherwise in fantastic shape for as old as it is. Maybe by putting in a new engine, if I then decde that the Mustang time is coming quicker, I may be able to sell the car for more, or maybe just sell the engine. Im thinking maybe about 2k for one.

 

What is WRONG with you guys? "290,000 is alot, but not crazy." No, that IS crazy.

It would be beyond foolish to pay $2k to repair a 16 year old compact truck. You can buy a decent little 50k mile Protege, Civic, Focus (or Ranger if you're hooked on trucks) for $4k. Those you actually could unload (without paying people to take them) when it comes time to upgrade to the 'Stang. I mean, you're talking about selling a transplanted engine out of a truck to recoup losses...when stuff that ridiculous is a key part of a plan, the plan sucks. Further, you say the rest of the car is in fantastic shape...I say, for now. How long 'till the clutch conks out, shocks are shot, et al. But, I mean...that's just me.

 

yeahmmmblown head gasket is normally the kiss of death for a vehicle. you gotta get another ride dude...good luck.

 

I had a feeling you guys might say that, oh well...at this point, Ill leave it to dad to decide what to do, haha.