Blew the head gasket...

[DirtJack]

I'm in san Jose CA. Blew the head gasket on a 1997 Explorer 4 x 4. Place I am living at will not let me work on it as a multi day project. Any recommendations for places to call to find out the cost of putting in a new motor?

 

[96firephoenix]

http://pitrow-diy.com/

Can you get it to this place in Santa Clara? I see on the map it's "right next to" SJ, but I know how that translates to real-life.

 

[lobo411]

Which engine is it? If it's the SOHC, I'd say have the thing sold for scrap.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

^Fixing the engine costs less than replacing it with another Explorer in a good many cases, thus IMO it's worth it, it's also worth it if the truck is in decent condition and mechanically sound, and dependable if you ask me.

 

[J_C]

How many miles on it? Just wondering why you'd put a "new" motor in instead of just getting head gaskets done? However if it's the SOHC engine and much past 100K mi., then yeah it's a consideration whether to just do that, do the timing chains and tensioners too, or start over with another vehicle.

Anyway, I'd call a few of these, try to get a ballpark quote for it, focusing first on those nearer your location to decrease the tow bill:

https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=auto+repair&find_loc=San+Jose,+CA&ns=1

That Pit Row place that 96firephoenix linked is intriguing, but I can't get their website to work well enough to see the rates, links go nowhere.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

If you're a SOHC, don't just settle for an engine out of another 97, it's money well spent IMO to find an engine out of a 06-10 Explorer or Mustang and swap your existing intake manifold and whatnot to the late model engine, your timing guides will be a lot newer and later revision guides will be in service, taking a lot of the failure risk out until a lot higher miles, in which case you'll probably have sold the vehicle.

 

[bigcrunch]

You live in an apartment?
If need be rent a storage rental garage make sure it has electricity and ask if you can tinker on a car there.

 

[DirtJack]

Thanks for the feedback all. Yes it's a SOHC. Odometer stopped working at 217,106. Bought it for $600.00. I live in a mobile home park that allows some maintenance but no projects. I want to fix it myself but not sure I have the time to set aside right now.

 

[DirtJack]

Which engine is it? If it's the SOHC, I'd say have the thing sold for scrap.

I hate to scrap any car but I think I might have too.

 

[Halford1]

Gave my 1998 Explorer to Kars4Kids and bought 2014 Explorer XLT best investment. You can also purchase lower priced for used Explorers if you wish. Could cost you same amount to repair or replace as buying another used Explorer. Be patient and shop around. Look up in internet and find it.

 

[bigcrunch]

If it becomes to difficult and costly to fix it, browse CL lots of em out there at very good price and many sellers will negotiate. Mountaineer is the same just upside down headlights after 97.

 

[koda2000]

I hate to scrap any car but I think I might have too.

Financially not worth fixing. Part it out or scrap it.

 

[Josh P]

Find another explorer that you could use the good parts off your car on, make one good car out of two.

 

[RandomNerd2000]

If all else fails, don't scrap it, most JYs won't let you buy whole vehicles, sell it on CL for a project truck, that's how I bought my 2000, and mostly how I bought my 01 XLT I'm fixing to resale as soon as I get a hack fixed on the exhaust from when the transmission was rebuilt.