Could use some advice, my 95 Z only has 30k original miles on it but the right head gasket has a very small oil leak. What do you guys recommend I do?

I've been quoted upwards of $1200.00 to have it replaced.

Thanks,

 

you should change the head gasket your self. It is not a hard task, it is very easy if you have a haynes or a chiltons manual it tells you. it even tells you what tools that you need. becides if you have never done something like this befor it will be a great learning experence for you, and it will save you alot of money.

 

holy $hit, I messed up my quote, it is supposed to be " you can take the dog out of the fight, but you cant take the fight out of the dog." I must have been drunk when I wrote that.

 

Your head gasket has an oil leak?

 

Thats what I'm told, they noticed some oil under the bottom of the car when I had my last oil change and the guy traced it back to the head gasket.

 

djn sounds like who ever quoted you the $1200 is trying to get to you or you told them it was a head gasket leak and the dollor signs went off in thier eyes. Are you sure it is not an valve cover gasket leak or possibly a intake leak? Take it to a reputable shop and pay for a diagnostic. Don't tell them you think it is a head gasket leak. Let them tell you. You may consider buying one of the UV dye kits for about $20 and trying to find the leak or at least pinpoint the area. Can you get us pictures
hell i'll only charge $600 for advice

 

Thanks, it could be the guy meant valve cover gasket but anyhow, I'll take your advice and take the car in for a second opinion. Ok! without telling them its a head gasket. I'll see if I can get pics but its kind of a difficult space to take a pic.

If its a valve cover gasket or intake manifold seal how expensive should it be to fix?

 

If its the valve cover than thats really simple and on the drivers side you could do it yourself and the passenger side you could as well, you just need to remove the alternator, both are pretty easy. Not sure what the book time is to do the intake manifold gaskets but thats only a couple hours for me.

 

Thanks...

 

Valve cover gasket is under $20 for the set an almost foolproof to change yourself. Intake gaskets different story, the parts are cheap again about $20 but the time / skill level is a different deal. I had a neighbor not too long ago that was upset that her low mileage older car needed a $700 oil pan gasket. I looked at it and it turned out to be a $5 oil pressure sendor, changed it for her in 5 minutes and now i get a batch of cookies every weekend I am home! She was a retired widow living on a fixed income and sort of same deal, oil chage place told her the pan gasket was leaking and to take it to thier buddies shop for a deal. Some friggin deal!

 

I know you have to be careful and that’s why this forum is such a positive place to go for advice. There are a lot of crooks out there just looking for ways to take unsuspecting people for a long ride! If you know what I mean! Just can't trust anyone these days and thats one of many reasons CamaroZ28.com ROCKS!
Thanks to all!!!