My buddy and I were wiring up some lights on my car the other day and he mentioned that it looks like I've got a very small head gasket leak. Of course I had a moment of panic thinking this will be a very expensive repair, but is it? I haven't really found anything (maybe just not looking hard enough) on the forum about replacing them, only people saying that they have or plan to. Is this a hard job? Is it urgent to fix now? I've got no idea about head gaskets at all, so can someone give me some advice?

 

I suppose the first question, what makes him believe it's a head gasket leak? Head gaskets are not super common with these cars, hence why I ask. What is the sign that makes your friend believe this and where on the car was that sign noticed.

 

he was up under the car and noticed fluid leaking in that general area. hardly a technical diagnosis, I know. Engine is running just fine, though, not had any trouble with it at all.

 

If you can't see the source, then you are gambling on anything.

And what fluid was leaking and what is the "general area"?

If you are leaking anti-freeze, you can get a radiator pressure tester and pressurize the cooling system and then look/listen for where it's leaking and confirm. If you are leaking oil, trans fluid or power steering fluid, that can be trickier.

I believe you have a 3400? Some general areas that may be of interest. If so, if you see see oil in the front of the engine under the exhaust mani, that might be an oil pressure switch that is leaking (cheap and easy fix). If you see coolant on the pulley side of the engine, could be a water pump.

If you can be a little more specific of the "general area", there might be a common item that is not a head gasket to explain the leak (as the head gasket has a lot of perimeter to cover).

 

Yea sorry for my ignorance here. I wasn't the one who actually saw it and haven't had time to look myself since. I'll try to be more specific when I can. As I have noticed no puddles under the car or other symptoms, I'd say whatever it is is relatively minor anyway.
While I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty and have done several repairs myself, I must admit the engine itself is still somewhat a mystery to me in practice. Thanks for helping me out, I'll try to be much more specific soon.

 

No worries man. Just trying to help get you the best possible answers (as one can get on the Internet

My guess is, it's probably not a head gasket, probably a slow leak from somewhere else.

 

Engine overheated due to loss of coolant will cause head gasket failure...

 

I'm not losing coolant, I don't think.Engine temp always stays good, around 200 degrees.