Is a new head gasket worth it?

My truck has 215+k miles on it. It needs a new head gasket. Do I spend the $$$ for replacement or get a new vehicle. I'm told the gasket replacement will be ~4K.

John

 

Welcome to TW! I wouldn’t spend 4K for a head gasket job on a 15 year old truck but I would get a few more estimates.

 

If you love the truck and are going to keep driving it then I would throw a lower mileage engine in it.

 

There’re lots of variables, but I would do a head gasket or used engine on an otherwise good vehicle. About 5-6 years ago we got a budget engine at a local salvage yard for my daughter’s Accord. I used a small independent shop I’ve used before. (They negotiated the engine price from the salvage yard for us.) We were in at right around $1,600 all-in with a timing belt. Our 300k Accord got a 120k engine that got us another few years and got us a decent price when we sold it with something like 320k.

 

I'd be looking for a scrap yard engine. Even if I didn't plan to keep the truck. Replace the engine, drive it a while and then decide. IMO you'll come out ahead to fix it then sell rather than sell without repairing it.

 

What condition is the rest of the truck? Solid frame? If it has lots of life left in it then fix it.

 

I did mine on my truck at 285k, I'm at 330k. I did it myself and I was willing to risk it not working out. Fortunately it worked out.

If I had decided to pay to have someone do the repair, I would have my motor repaired as opposed to buying a used motor with an unknown history. Just my opinion of course.

Btw, $4k in 2024 is not an outrageous price. There is a lot of labor.

 

4k for head gasket. 45-55k of debt on new truck. I know what I’d do.

 

4 or 6 cyl? What are the symptoms you’re experiencing?