Cylinder Head Question for a 2003 GT

[customer20]

I have a ’03 GT, that has been leaking oil ever since the dealer replaced the timing belt at 87,000 miles. At 90,000 miles I asked the dealer to fix the oil leak.

They said the leak was from a head gasket and that the vehicle needed a Cylinder Head Job for $1200.

My question is could they have damaged the head gasket when they changed the timing belt?


Thanks in advance for your replies.

[overboost]

god I hope not.

I just had the timing belt replaced about 3 days ago.

[quicksilverdon]

No need to take off head when doing timing belt.
A head gasket sometimes happens....sound like the head warped because of it - you get any overheating?

[customer20]

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

...sound like the head warped because of...

Originally Posted by quicksilverdon

...overheating?

The Water Pump failed and that was when I had the timing belt replaced. And that was when the oil leak began.

If I understand you correctly, overheating may have caused the head gasket problem?

Otherwise, there's been no overheating since then.

Thanks.

[quicksilverdon]

Absolutely overheating can warp the head, and a warped head can cause gasket to fail.

[customer20]

Thank you!

You saved me from looking foolish,
if I had tried to say the timing belt change caused it!

[slartyblarfast]

I don't think there is a need to do a head job but the gasket will need to be replaced.... I'll be willing to bet that the leak is from( as you look at the top of the engine) the upper right corner on the back of the engine. That's where I typically see them leak... If I remember right that corner has a smaller bolt that can lose torque especially if the engine overheats....

[customer20]

I'm expecting to get my car back today...3 weeks after I dropped it off.

And I am feeling like a kid waiting for Christmas, I want my car back so bad!

(Seems like a loooong time to me!)



As for where it was leaking from, I'm really not sure, since I didn't fix it myself, I didn't see it up close.

Thanks, and

Have a Merry Christmas!

[Cartman]

You dont need a full head job. all you need to do is have the head decked for straightness as it warped slightly. if you dont, you will continue to blow gaskets. trust me on this one, do it right the first time.

[customer20]

My car is Home and we went out for dinner to celebrate!!!

They had to replace the gasket twice to get it sealed.

The dealer paid for our rental, and guess what we got?

An '08 Touring PT Cruiser! ...with Sirius!

(no longer says edition on the badge)

Still, I felt like a tourist who couldn't wait to get home.

Now I can take the dog to the park!

YAHOOOOOOOOO!