93 LE 5S headgasket question

[funk]

Hi all, I'm a new member and unfortunately have a big problem w/ my camry.

My car has 115,000miles
The other day I noticed my temp gauge was all the way up (no coolent light was on) I immediatly pulled over turned the car off and checked the engine. There was no noticable coolent in the radiator, and none in the overflow. Anyway I filled the car up w/ coolent, and thought all was well. The next day the car overheated again. The coolent had turned into a brown mucky foamy mess.

I had the car towed to the shop and they told me my radiator was bad (and that the head gasket was okay-although I'm not sure how they determened this). So I got the car towed home, bought a new radiator, thermostat and hoses, and replaced everything and flushed out the engine. At first the everything was okay (except the temp gauge was bouncing around everywhere) anyway, the coolent has now turned brown and mucky again. I figure the gasket is blown (although I don't see coolent in the oil or white smoke coming out my pipe).

Shop told me 1500+ to fix plus there might be more damage once they open up the engine. Is it worth trying to fix myself (I've never attempted anything of this caliber)

How much would it cost to fix myself?.....and can anyone point me to any guides or picture/video walk through of the process.

I found this http://www.autozone.com/shopping/rep...00c15280074229

But I'm not sure how to perform most of the steps there (as they're not very detailed). Is it possible something besides the head is bad on the car?

[Kep]

A six cyl car has, I believe, an intake manifold. On my Olds, the intake manifold has a gasket which can blow and allows oil to mix in with the coolant. I'm not sure if this is the same with a Camry or not. Is the brown stuff oil?

The only thing allowing oil & water to mix that I have heard of on a four cyl is the head gasket.

Kep

[chronoti]

he said 5s, not the mz. all cars have an intake manifold, with gaskets!

the shop said the radiator because they more or less did a compression test and didn't find low compression. the radiator has an oil cooler in it that leaks oil in the coolant.

so only other points where water and oil can mix is at the head gasket area, or if the water jacker cracks open in to the oil lines. (ie. cracked block)

[frenum49]

I would suggest getting a Haynes or Chilton manual on the car. They are cheap and will be an invaluable resource for those with limited wrenching experience. Getting the timing right and applying the correct torque sequence will be your biggest worries on this job but are not bad given that you have the right information. As for the $1500 price tag......seems stiff to me for a 6 hour or less job. That price is more akin to a 1MZ job for both heads.
Good luck.

[geezee]

I was just quoted $1450 and $1500 (two independent shops, not the stealer) for a head gasket replacement, head inspection and resurface at the machine shop, and valve job, on my '93 Camry, 2.2 4cyl. Sheesh. Seems to be the going rate. Mine has just 88k miles on it, and it overheated (once) due to a leaky radiator, and that was it, toasted the head gasket. What a piece of crap. My (older, many more miles) Hondas have consistently blown this Camry away in reliability, durability, appearance, performance, but it is what it is and I need to replace the head gasket for my daughter....

any opinions on IF I need to do a 'valve job' on an otherwise very well maintained Camry with 88k on it, and as I said, one overheat ? Its never smoked or used any oil, etc, except what has been leaking around the head gasket for about 2 years (just a bit, and it appears the 93s are known for this....).

Do I gamble on just a gasket kit and bolts, and reuse the rest ?

Are there any writeups/step-by-steps here on the procedure ? I do have a manual, also...

tx
-z-

[toyomoho]

A google and TN search might turn up a step-by-step writeup.

Replacing a head gasket on a 2.2L is not bad, read up on the task first. Suggest if a DIY job to have the head at least checked for warpage or you could end up with another blown head gasket. Does this price include a valve job, you should not need one at 88K.

Gaskets, bolts and a head resurface should not be that much. If the timing belt was never changed, do it then. And might replace the valve stem seals as they start leaking as the car ages, cost about $40 for after market parts.

[geezee]

Thanks for the info... Yes those quoted prices included a valve job which is probably not much more than a 'valve inspection' at 88k miles. No way I can sink $1500 into the 15yr old Camry, that just isn't happening, so it does look like a DIY job and I better get to leaning how to do it.....
-z-

[JustinC25]

Originally Posted by geezee

Thanks for the info... Yes those quoted prices included a valve job which is probably not much more than a 'valve inspection' at 88k miles. No way I can sink $1500 into the 15yr old Camry, that just isn't happening, so it does look like a DIY job and I better get to leaning how to do it.....
-z-

A valve job typically involves either regrinding the surface of the valves, or replacement of the valves, and lapping of the valve seats.

[mvftw]

Usually you would get an exchanged head and just bolt it on...