JHZR2
Staff member
As I noted in my 350SD thread, my plan was a preemptive head gasket replacement. A number of knowledgeable folks I consulted with agreed, I did see about a teaspoon of oil in the recovery bottle per 1000 miles (I literally could absorb it out with a paper towel) but the coolant stayed crystal clear.
I called a few shops that I've had do other work on my cars. It was very interesting to hear the results.
All said either they don't do such large jobs, or they don't work on such old cars anymore. One said to call back when their oldest mechanic was back from vacation.
I went back to a shop I used years back that was further away. A place I trust and who knows these cars really well. So I'm comfortable and happy. But it's the owner who knows and was happy to take on the job. And he must be 65.
But it's incredible to see how people are unwilling to take on heavy engine work. The only ones are the older folks who will all be retired in 5-10 years.
Scary
It's always been that when cars go beyond some age, you really need to be an enthusiast and DIY. But what was more interesting is that stuff like headgaskets are too big/heavy jobs.
I called a few shops that I've had do other work on my cars. It was very interesting to hear the results.
All said either they don't do such large jobs, or they don't work on such old cars anymore. One said to call back when their oldest mechanic was back from vacation.
I went back to a shop I used years back that was further away. A place I trust and who knows these cars really well. So I'm comfortable and happy. But it's the owner who knows and was happy to take on the job. And he must be 65.
But it's incredible to see how people are unwilling to take on heavy engine work. The only ones are the older folks who will all be retired in 5-10 years.
Scary
It's always been that when cars go beyond some age, you really need to be an enthusiast and DIY. But what was more interesting is that stuff like headgaskets are too big/heavy jobs.