1996 prism/corolla question

[arkbluj]

Im looking at buying a used 96 prism with 158k.overall condition looks good.Owner states he came out of work and went down the road maybe a mile and motor started to miss.He thinks head gasket blew but temp guage stayed in normal range for 30 mile drive home.could this be a head gasket problem or something else?Im going to ckeck car out closer tomorrow,maybe ck engine light is on

[TenZen]

well check and see if there coolant anywhere on the ground and over the engine. Check the overflow tank also. Then check the spark plugs, wires, what else is there.....cant remember what else

[arkbluj]

Thanks for your suggestions,I looked over the engine compartment on my first look.Everything looked pretty good.Oil was light brown up to add mark.didnt ck coolant yet.I didnt know if head gasket could fail if engine didnt overheat

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by arkbluj

Thanks for your suggestions,I looked over the engine compartment on my first look.Everything looked pretty good.Oil was light brown up to add mark.didnt ck coolant yet.I didnt know if head gasket could fail if engine didnt overheat

i think it would but im not too sure. i bet it would. ifs the headgasket they sell some stuff that you can pour in the engine and fix that. There's some stuff called Blue Devil but its like 60 dollars for a good size botttle of i dont know how many ounces. says it seals that and for 60 is better.

[Flashmn]

ifs the headgasket they sell some stuff that you can pour in the engine and fix that.

DO NOT USE THAT!. It wont work, only way to cure a head gasket is to replace it, not use magic. I've said it many times, the only person who can use magic is david copperfield.

[90 GP]

To be on the safe side do a compression test to help verify whether or not it's the head gasket. Don't depend on just a visual for coolant loss.

[costadragon220]

I agree with Flash . Any additivesto try and "fix" a problem doesn't really work.

[arkbluj]

I went to check out car today,owner said he had someone look at it and they told him it was the headgasket,he said ck engine lite wasnt on and it wouldnt start.I was hoping for any easy fix but I think i will pass this up,probably be another $400 bucks to fix it right on top of his asking price of $400-500

[TenZen]

Originally Posted by Flashmn

DO NOT USE THAT!. It wont work, only way to cure a head gasket is to replace it, not use magic. I've said it many times, the only person who can use magic is david copperfield.

i wouldnt know. its just there and no one ever buys it anyway. i would replace the headgasket anyway