Head Gasket - Good shops in the Minneapolis Area?

I do believe I have a blown gasket. Burning oil and antifreeze. 200k We've had the engine shutter for a while now and it's happens quite a lot - not sure if it's related, but the oil and AF is not a good sign. It's not leaking that I can see anywhere.

So I am either needing a new engine dropped or an overhaul. I guess I could just trade it too, but it's paid for and I think I'd rather just fix it.

Any suggestions for a good shop in the Minneapolis / St. Paul area?

Any suggestions for places to source a good used or rebuilt engine? (I'll be contacting LKQ today)

 

I don't really care if they are "hybrid specialty"or not, as long as they have at least some experience with these cars and can do a good job, but don't charge dealer prices. I'm sure that there are plenty of shops that aren't specialty but can certainly tackle this. I have a guy who is good with basic stuff (when I don't have time to do it myself) but I clearly don't want him doing this. I came to that conclusion rapidly when he suggested trying a bottle of stop leak...

I'm currently in the middle of building my house, and I just don't have time to do this one myself...as tempted as I am.

I'll give CarSpec a call after they open this morning.

 

CarSpec said it sounds like a head gasket, but would dye test to make sure. Head gasket job is about $3400. Not sure it's worth it. Car has 200k on it. I know they can still go for a lot longer, but that's a tough one. They don't install used parts, including used engines, so that's not an option with them.

 

Well cool. I'll spend the $10 and give it a try. Might buy some time anyway.

 

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience. You've got me convinced to give it a shot. I have a catch can already sitting here, as well. I'll put it in this weekend.

 

We noticed this in our car for a while, but now haven't had in all winter. It was when we would start the car in the morning to let it warm up. When we got it it would smell like exhaust. But I think we have a bad exhaust manifold gasket or it's cracked. Upon acceleration, when cold, I can hear exhaust sounds. I can't see a problem anywhere else in the exhaust system. Once it warms up the noise is reduced. I had the same things happening with my old civic and I could see the cracks. Anyone know if the exhaust manifold would come on a used engine? I could never get a used replacement for the civic because it had a cat built into it and salvage had to recycle them when they came in.

Is that the exhaust manifold in the front of the engine in this pic?

 

Correct. This is the rear of the 3rd gen engine. Is the exhaust manifold the part with the large red cap, between the block and the photographer?

This is a pic of a used engine for sale locally. If it includes the exhaust manifold, it would be a bonus, because I believe mine is cracked.

 

Well I was just assuming the connection for the cat can was there under the air filter box. I got as far as this. Looks like I have to pull the intake huh? I looked to see if I could get at it from the underside, no dice there either. If I'm going to pull the intake, I gather I should be doing some other cleaning of other ports or something while I am in there. I don't like to be spoon fed, but I don't have time to read 64 pages of the catch can thread. Any chance there is a good thread or post that details of the disassembly and what I else should be doing while I'm in there? Not sure if I will take the time to do any or all of it not. With this house build, I just don't much extra time.