'97 Plymouth Breeze- need info

[Kathy in WV]

I have a 97 Plym. Breeze that has a blown head gasket. I know it probably needs the head re worked and because it has the overhead cam on it my hubby doesn't want to mess with it because he says if the timing isn't perfect it will bend the push rods? (trying to remember what all he said). Anybody got any ideas about what this might cost us? Aaaarrgghhh!!!!

 

[Hamilton Felix]

I wondered "What's a Plymouth Breeze?" So I put it into Google. There are groups, forums devoted to it. And there are some reviews of that '97 here:

http://www.carsurvey.org/modelyear_Plymouth_Breeze_1997.html

If it's overhead cam, it doesn't have pushrods. Some cars, whether pushrod or overhead cam, will run the valves into the pistons when they go out of time; others won't. It's more likely with high compression engines.

A blown head gasket does not necessarily guarantee there's another problem, but it's sure something to check out.

It's worth asking a Mechanic for an estimate. Heck, your local dealership should have a quote, right out of their Flat Rate book.

An independent shop will usually beat a dealership on price. The dealership has the inside track on parts and specialized tools.

Ask around. Good Luck.

 

[Opus Dei]

I wouldn't know about the costs absolutely, but I'd bet on $250.00 optomistic low-side, to $1,000.00+ at a dealership. There's so many variables; like is the head aluminum? Did it run hot? Is the intake integral with the head? How many miles-will you need to replace cam bearings and valve seats? Is the head possibly warped? Can it be milled? Is the head cracked?

All I can say is good luck.

 

[DARKSTAR]

Where ever you decide to get it fixed I would make sure to get the factory replacement head gasket. Chrysler had lots of problems with head gaskets leaking oil, the new metal gasket has seemed to fix the problem.

 

[Kathy in WV]

Well, we solved the problem in a round-about way. We just bought another motor to put in it from a rear ended Breeze. We paid less for it than they wanted to rework the old motor. Motor checked out fine and actually has 20,000 fewer miles on it than the old motor. Thanks for your suggestions everyone!!