My car unfortunately overheated a few times on my last vacation. Brought it in for a compression test and it was detwrmined that there was a leaking head gasket on two of the cylinders, and that my valve cover needs to be replaced.

I'm worried that I cooked my engine so I don't know if it makes sense to replace my head gasket at this point. .

For the compression test 4 cylinders measured at 160psi, one at 155 psi and another at 170 psi.

The car is now at 80k miles has been driven very hard. The suspension needs a full overhaul, and the transmisson has issues downshifting into second and the body isn't great.

Should I sell my car or replace the head gasket?

 

Replace the car, it'll cost you a nice chunk of change to rebuild/replace the motor, replace all suspension bits AND possibly get a new/overhaul your transmission. Too much money to throw into a car that's probably worth less than $8000......

 

That's what I figured. I wouldn't mind a new car or a lower on g35

 

Sell it.

Or make a crazy awesome build thread like Epik.

 

Sorry for the noob question but is there any way that the exhaust gas could be getting into the cooling system due to a bad upper plenum intake install?

 

I don't see how, the upper plenum would only suck in engine bay air if it was installed incorrectly. Then you'd have a pretty bad vacuum leak and the motor would run like complete crap.

 

The compression specs are as follows:

Standard: 184
Min: 142
Max difference: 15

Are those numbers with or without oil added to the cylinders?

I mean you're right at the minimum spec. Did they even tell you if it's the head gasket or pistons/rings? Did they do a leakdown test to see where the pressure is leaking to?

I wouldn't bother with the head gasket if it's the rod and pistons that are worn it won't help much. I'd look for used engine, sell it, or drive the car until it dies.

I highly doubt exhaust gas could get into the cooling system from an intake install.

 

That motor is not worth saving... burning as much oil as you already are, with compression numbers like that and a head gasket leak coupled with the rough driving it's dealt with during it's life, cut your losses. It would be interesting to see what you could get for a trade on it but I doubt it would be much with a motor in that condition plus the other problems you mentioned with the chassis.

 

Thanks guys! Figured that it wouldn't make sense to be the upper intake manifold. Would've been nice though.

Time to cut my losses on the car. What do you guys think for my next car, G35C, 350, g37 or 987 Cayman s?

 

I love the motor in the G37 but I can't stand how it looks... too bubbly (it is better if you add a front lip spoiler). If you don't need the backseat then a 350Z/370Z, if you need the backseat then a G35 coupe. Never been a porche fan because they're so GD expensive to work on...