Craigslist Cars--Head Gaskets--???

[ktownkid]

Why do many of the cars on CL need head gaskets, more and more cars everyday. The engine ran hot and the driver kept driving??? Head gaskets are terrible quality??? Saw a car today....less than 90k...needs head gaskets.

Thought you guys might know.....

ktownkid [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[earntaz]

Goes right along with common maintenance -- how much coolant was in the system? Run her hot and the results are the same ...

[PeteLeathersac]

Isn't it really because today's engines aren't made to overheat and live?
In the 'old days' when you overheated, you fixed the problem that caused it then refilled the system w/ coolant/brought up to temp/topped up/capped off and were on your way.
Today's engines have a multitude of ways to lose coolant and if you let them get too hot, head gaskets pop and you're done as they're often never the same again even after repairs.
A few weeks ago @ less than 60 thou miles, my wife's Caravan was running slightly warmer than usual and looking underneath @ shutdown (when hot and pressure up) I saw a thin stream pissing from the WP bipass pipe.
Lucky timing as she was about to hit the road and would surely have overheated on the hiway...when I swapped the part, it was leaking right where the support tab is welded on also the pipe waaay too thin a gauge for the use.
So again, some parts are made to fail after a &quot;manufacturer's calculated period of time&quot; and lose coolant then overheat causing much more serious damage than what started the problem in the fist place!
And what do we sheep do then, swear we'll never buy a damn Chrysler or whatever again and go buy something different....and so on.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Manufacturers aren't making any money if your car literally won't run anymore unless you spend thousands an thousands fixing it. After repairs, most cars aren't ever the same as mentioned above. They will continue to have issues. A lot of the parts on newer vehicles are purposely designed to fail so you have to purchase replacement parts. The dealers and big car manufacturers aren't making money if your car lasts for years and years.

Take this example. Vortec 350 Suburbans, Tahoes, etc have a distributor cap that is designed to fail. It lays flat on the top of the distributor with no gasket or seal between the two of them. When screwed down to the distributor, the sides will actually lift up! Moisture gets into them constantly where a cap and rotor change is almost an 8 month to a year occurance.

Same goes for washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Ever notice the life expectancy of one of those after you end up buying a few? The good one lasts 25 years, the replacements last 10, then 5, then every 3 years you're buying a new appliance.

[markjohnson]

It because because the term &quot;needs head gasket&quot; is Craigslist-speak for broken rings and/or cracked heads. Somebody needs to submit that in the Urban Dictionary.

[BLACKLS5]

Yep, I have an old Avacado Green Maytag washer and dryer that are identical to the ones on &quot;That 70's show&quot; They came with the house 20 years ago. I think I put 2 heating elements in the dryer in 20 years. I've heard horror stories about the newer stuff..

Same goes for washers, dryers, and refrigerators. Ever notice the life expectancy of one of those after you end up buying a few? The good one lasts 25 years, the replacements last 10, then 5, then every 3 years you're buying a new appliance. [/quote]

[Mayhem]

Don't even get me started on the quality of beds now days.
HORRIBLE. All will sag in the middle within months! (and no i'm not huge)
We have gone through several $2000+ beds, Sealy, Denver, Serta, doesn't matter.
The ideal sleep number bed is over $9000. Foam beds hold in your heat, and sink, holding you in place.
I am about ready to go back to a water bed. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[69 Post Sedan]

I remember in the 2002(?) Camaro brochure that the LS1 could go 50 miles without any coolant.

But I do agree.....things just aren't built like they used to be.

That't why I do &quot;try&quot; to buy things &quot;Made in the USA&quot;, but it's hard to do. We just purchased a new table, chairs and buffet. They were built by the Amish. It cost about double what the crap from overseas was but well worth it!

Kurt

[PeteLeathersac]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mayhem</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I am about ready to go back to a water bed. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img] </div></div>

Still sleeping peacefully on one here, 30 plus years and counting!
I can handle a night or two away but much longer hurts although it always feels great to get home!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
~ Pete