**you Will Not Believe This Sh..!!! Blown Head Gasket While Pulling Out Of Shop!!!**

[SouthernCal GN]

You don't want to go back to that shop, ready to fight to the death, armed with only the knowledge of the court of public opinion.

The thread title ("blown while pulling out of the shop")and the description of the events that happened ("I hit the gas one good time on my street and all of a sudden smoke starts spitting out. When I first got the car out the knock was reading red at about 40 mph so I wanted to take it back into the shop to have them check it out. They said it was reading wrong because of an aftermarket knock meter.") kinda clash with each other. Is there the "rest of the story" that you might want to spill the beans on?

Here's the reason I ask- except for the chip, wastgate & DP install (& messing with the WG), I don't see a whole lot on the list that would lead to a blown HG- except a heavy right foot. You have to determine if it was you or the shop that had lead foot disease- AND, if you're going after the shop, you need to have proof.

+3 on gettin' some tools, and learning to repair the car yourself. Without a doubt, this is one of the best places to get help about our cars. Good luck....

 

[qwksht]

The thing that i dont understand is it says road test/chassis dyno,they didnt charge you for it,was that because some asswipe took it for a ''ROADTEST''and possibly hurt the car?

 

[SouthernCal GN]

The thing that i dont understand is it says road test/chassis dyno,they didnt charge you for it,was that because some asswipe took it for a ''ROADTEST''and possibly hurt the car?

Possibly. More likely that the road test was to verify no exhaust leaks, TCC operation, no oil leaks, etc.....

Just playing devil's advocate...

 

[ecarringt22]

Sympathy?????

wow 5 grand, kinda at a loss for words.
yes they did some double dipping but on the other hand

I sit here and think what in the world are you doing owning one of these if you cant replace a lower rad hose, tranny filter, thermostat..on and on and on then come in here and ask "hey did i get screwed?" yeah you got screwed when ya bought it

I want to sympathize but im just having a hard time justifying someone owning one of these 20 yr old cars that has to pay that much or any labor rate for simple preventative maintenance.

please forgive me but this would be the last damn car id own if i couldnt turn a wrench.

like post before me stated..buy a book or two, some tools, take some classes or find local guy to help work on it and stick around to learn while hes working on it

once again good luck

WOW!!!!

This is not a call for sympathy. Although I find your post to my thread "from the heart", I do wonder why your mad that I came to this site to get advice For a second you started to sound like a parent (sorry dad:frown: ). Maybe your upset because you have been working on your car for 20 years and it still is not running right (that sucks).

This thread is not intended for you to bash me with your knowledge and brag about how much you know about this vehicle, but to help a fellow GN owner out. If you want to continue to do so be my guest, but I do not mind paying it done as long as I deal with honest people. I support local businesses. I have the means to do so, but not the time as I a business owner as well. Good luck with your turbo


Great comments, observations and advice from everybody else!!! I have learned so much from you guys over the last WEEK!!! Keep it coming!!!

I want to show you guys a pic of my pride and joy

 

[ecarringt22]

You don't want to go back to that shop, ready to fight to the death, armed with only the knowledge of the court of public opinion.

The thread title ("blown while pulling out of the shop")and the description of the events that happened ("I hit the gas one good time on my street and all of a sudden smoke starts spitting out. When I first got the car out the knock was reading red at about 40 mph so I wanted to take it back into the shop to have them check it out. They said it was reading wrong because of an aftermarket knock meter.") kinda clash with each other. Is there the "rest of the story" that you might want to spill the beans on?

Here's the reason I ask- except for the chip, wastgate & DP install (& messing with the WG), I don't see a whole lot on the list that would lead to a blown HG- except a heavy right foot. You have to determine if it was you or the shop that had lead foot disease- AND, if you're going after the shop, you need to have proof.

+3 on gettin' some tools, and learning to repair the car yourself. Without a doubt, this is one of the best places to get help about our cars. Good luck....

Thanks for the advice. That makes sense!!! But this is no story! I get it out of the shop and the knock goes from green to red and stays in the red! So I take it back to the shop and they have it for about 4 days after they said they re-tuned it and all that good stuff. When I get it back, yes I have to admit I was testing the car out to see if there were any changes. It felt to me they turned down the boost (it was at only 16 lbs and last I read it at 14!) and this aftermarket knock sensor is in the green for the whole drive home. I deciede to see what it would do from a stop and got smoke and engine knock. I knew right there what happened.

 

[jhanson1750]

Just WOW. I like my garage a lot more now. Good luck Jon Hanson

 

[Junior Samples]

WOW!!!!

This is not a call for sympathy. Although I find your post to my thread "from the heart", I do wonder why your mad that I came to this site to get advice For a second you started to sound like a parent (sorry dad:frown: ). Maybe your upset because you have been working on your car for 20 years and it still is not running right (that sucks).

This thread is not intended for you to bash me with your knowledge and brag about how much you know about this vehicle, but to help a fellow GN owner out. If you want to continue to do so be my guest, but I do not mind paying it done as long as I deal with honest people. I support local businesses. I have the means to do so, but not the time as I a business owner as well. Good luck with your turbo

My car runs great every other day like everyone else's and i dont have to shell out 5 grand for piddly stuff and if i need to fix it I will fix it myself.
I stand by my post and honestly you have no business owning one of these if you cant work on it period unless your a glutton for punishment, These cars bitch more then any woman i have ever known.

I wasnt at all mad but when I like others see a big ass bill for dumb stuff i have to scratch my head. so if you have the means to pay out all that money for someone to change a burnt out brake light then be my guest, Cough up some more dough and have them change your head gasket for 2k
and they'll prolly use the same head bolts.

Maybe you didnt see my addition to my post when i offered a possible solution, I live 40 mins and would have had no problem taking a look at the car.

Sorry you got a blown headgasket, whose fault is it?...dunno but you got money you'll find someone to fix it for spring

 

[johnnyttype]

i wonder if the car was just a ticking time bomb from the time that the knock gauge lit up red! or possibly... a boost line pooped off and u overboosted when u were testing the vehicle? ive had this one happen a few times:redface: maybe? just a thought!

 

[Just a Six??]

WOW!!!!

I do not mind paying it done as long as I deal with honest people. I support local businesses. I have the means to do so, but not the time as I a business owner as well.

If this is true, then support one of our Knowledgeable, Reputable people who do this for a living & know these cars inside out. May have to go a little farther & thats a hassle but paying out $$$ to a Local who doesnt deal with these cars on a daily basis is Wasting $$$ IMO. This way you get good work, fair prices & a member stays in business!

 

[johnnyttype]

ummm.... im pretty sure white racing atleast knows more than the average shop on turbo buicks. if u check their page out u will notice several pretty nice looking buick stuff and a twin turbo race car! im not tryin to defend them because like stated above some stuff seemed really "piddly"!


White Racing Marine - Your #1 Choice for Electronic Fuel Injection for Drag Racing. The finest aftermarket EFI Systems and Support money can buy. On Line assistance with you Programming Needs. File Downloads available including Software Upgrades

 

[mygn276]

May i ask what kind of fuel you were running at the time? Presure? What timing is in this chip you have?

 

[turbofabricator]

If you have work like that performed around here, it would be more. Shop rate is $100-$125 an hour. (even higher for specialty stuff) I am also curious as to what fuel system is on your car? They didn't list anything about that. That is the #1 cause of head gasket failure/knock. I would park the car untill you pull the heads (do it yourself, "we" can talk you through it if you want to get more intimate with your ride) Head gaskets are not a cheap deal by ANY professional shop. It takes a good guy, with all the right tools, a min. of 14hours to do it RIGHT. So, at a labor rate of $100/hr. you are looking at $1400 just for labor, and another $150 for gaskets, then there is the oil, pan gasket, ('cause the oil pan MUST be pulled to remove all the graphite from the blown head gasket.....DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!!!!!!) antifreeze (if you can't save the stuff they just put in) Check bearings while the pan is off, due to anti-freeze in the oil will KILL a set of rod and main bearings in SHORT order!!!. While the heads are off, have them ported (another $750 minimum) If you are going through all this, I would seriously consider pulling the whole engine and have it on an engine stand ($40) to do it right. It is only another 2 hours to pull the engine. Then you will also need a set of ARP head bolts ($60) and if the cam is stock, probably a good idea to replace it with a hydraulic roller ($900 including timing chain)
Welcome to the world of Turbo Buicks. We are here to help you through this. Spend your next $1500 on a good tool set, do NOT buy cheap Chinese tools! (Give them another few years before they start forging good tools, too. ) If you need a list of every tool needed to remove/teardown/build/install an engine, let us know and we can list them for you. IT is really time to learn to work on this car yourself. (unless you have a BIG bank account to have someone do it for you.)
I would CALMLY go back to White Racing and discuss your issues. Bring your bill with you. If the work was performed over a long period of time, it is easy for them to have an accounting "issue". If they are an ethical business, then they will fix any problem there is on your bill. Going down there all pizzed off will put them on the defensive. Calmly tell them what happened, and post thier responses. I have made mistakes in the past, and will always correct them. If they have NEVER made mistakes, then they haven't been in business for very long. I do not know those folks at all, and I am not defending them. Just give them a chance FIRST, then if they are unwilling to make things right, take legal action. Agian, give them a chance to get it right. If you do not, you might not have a leg to stand on in court.
Macasteel wasn't trying to dis you. He was just giving you sound advice that these 20 year old cars need LOTS of work, and if you spent your last penny buying your dream car, it was a poor decision, is all. Take a step back and review what happened, then go talk with White Racing. They just might suprise you. (but then again, maybe not ) Ask questions on here before you have anything done in the future. We can save you LOTS of money and frustration. This forum has many great folks that are willing to help, feel free to ask for it.

 

[stack1]

ummm.... im pretty sure white racing atleast knows more than the average shop on turbo buicks. if u check their page out u will notice several pretty nice looking buick stuff and a twin turbo race car! im not tryin to defend them because like stated above some stuff seemed really "piddly"!


White Racing Marine - Your #1 Choice for Electronic Fuel Injection for Drag Racing. The finest aftermarket EFI Systems and Support money can buy. On Line assistance with you Programming Needs. File Downloads available including Software Upgrades

You're right, I checked out their page and it seems like they should have some good knowledge, but did you check out his other thread?

Hello all,

I'm looking to upgrade my stock turbo on my 87 GN I already have a 3" down pipe and a new cold air kit but this is it. The shop is suggesting that I go with:

1.)Turbo, PT49, (Stock Apearing (requires core exchange)
2.)Torque Converter, 200-4R (10" Street Perfromance, Lockup, COAN)
3.)R93 Chip
4.)Injectors (Quad Air 43-9)

??????What do ya think??????

That setup would have been decent 10 years ago.

 

[Junior Samples]

ummm.... im pretty sure white racing atleast knows more than the average shop on turbo buicks. if u check their page out u will notice several pretty nice looking buick stuff and a twin turbo race car! im not tryin to defend them because like stated above some stuff seemed really "piddly"!


White Racing Marine - Your #1 Choice for Electronic Fuel Injection for Drag Racing. The finest aftermarket EFI Systems and Support money can buy. On Line assistance with you Programming Needs. File Downloads available including Software Upgrades

yeah i wasnt trying to jump the poor dude but these are the absolute worst cars for turnkey operation, he blows headgasket, takes it back and they tell him its due to aftermarket gauge?!
They either seen him comming or now their trying to pass the buck or both
Could sit here all day thinking up possible scenarios as to why and how but how does one post a troubleshooting idea to someone who doesn't even wrench...cant say hey go check this or that.

Greater Detroit area is lucky to have some of the finest Buick guys always willing to lend a hand

 

[johnnyttype]

yea i remember that thread too! i was actually thinking exactly what u said, 10 year old combo! makes me glad i was only 11 years old, in the back seat when my dad owned my car, when all that old tech. was floating around! theres so much more stuff out there its pretty overwhelming!

 

[LBNJWE4]

I just want to comment back on the "you shouldn't own one of these if you can't turn a wrench" It depends on what your objective is with the car. I have minimal experience on cars. I can replace parts but am not good at diagnosing problems. I took my car to a mechanic to check the transmission because it leaked but shifted perfect. I took it to a reputable mech. who owns a GN instead of a trans. shop because a trans shop would probably try to sell me a rebuild or new one regardless. I had the mech. also do things that I am capable just to get everything done at the same time and I had to drive it 70 miles to get it home, the price to take it to someone who knows what they are doing. Point being made though is, I am not trying to make a 10 sec. track car, I would not attempt that at my skill level, but with the help of asking questions here I can maintain my car and pay a mechanic when neccassary. These cars are not from another planet, I owned my T for 18 years and have had very few problems with it, the only ones I had were results from misled technology. That is what this forum is for, to help each other. I learned alot on here and was able to do alot more myself thanks to you guys. Let this be a learning experience for him and help him out in the future.

 

[ecarringt22]

You just made my day (Thanks)

My car runs great every other day like everyone else's and i dont have to shell out 5 grand for piddly stuff and if i need to fix it I will fix it myself.
I stand by my post and honestly you have no business owning one of these if you cant work on it period unless your a glutton for punishment, These cars bitch more then any woman i have ever known.

I thought it was a free country? I can't own a GN? Maybe the only woman you have IS your car LOL

I wasnt at all mad but when I like others see a big ass bill for dumb stuff i have to scratch my head. so if you have the means to pay out all that money for someone to change a burnt out brake light then be my guest, Cough up some more dough and have them change your head gasket for 2k
and they'll prolly use the same head bolts.

In another local Michigan shop already and no, they are not using the same head bolts LOL (wait till you see what I'm paying for next)

Maybe you didnt see my addition to my post when i offered a possible solution, I live 40 mins and would have had no problem taking a look at the car.

You think I would want your help??? LOL Funny guy

Sorry you got a blown headgasket, whose fault is it?...dunno but you got money you'll find someone to fix it for spring

Thanks for the apoligy but no thanks. You don't have to say sorry because you made my day (WOW this is fun!!!)

 

[Junior Samples]

good, toss all kinds of parts at it then we'll have to meet up in spring when i pull mine out from its winter slumber cause with my pride and joy..i dont drive mine in the winter and we'll see what all your money adds up to

once again good luck:biggrin:

 

[johnnyttype]

when i pull mine out from its winter slumber cause with my pride and joy..i dont drive mine in the winter

im in school over in big rapids and i can see why u dont drive ur car in the winter!!! there is way to much rust up here! i had my car up here last fall and i had rust forming on top of rust plus all the ice, salt and snow!:biggrin:

 

[Junior Samples]

im in school over in big rapids and i can see why u dont drive ur car in the winter!!! there is way to much rust up here! i had my car up here last fall and i had rust forming on top of rust plus all the ice, salt and snow!:biggrin:

yeah thats right John your up at Ferris? we'll have to meet up at some cruise before you head home for the summer unless your staying throughout, you got a nice car