2008 GMC Sierra 1500, 5.3L V-8, 4WD 168,000 miles with active fuel management system. Original owner and well maintained.
My truck is in decent condition for it's age (15 years old) and it still drives like new. My head gasket has started to leak coolent into the cylinders and a local repair shop will replace the head gasket and lifters for around $4,000.00. The only other known issues on the vehicle is a slight shudder from the transmission when I put it into reverse after it sits overnight and the rear wheel wells are starting to rust which is typical for Chevy trucks.
With the age and mileage of this vehicle, is it worth spending the money to replace the head gasket or should I trade it in for a newer vehicle?
$4,000 is probably close to the cost of an all new engine. If you've maintained the transmission and it shifts fine, I would just find a remanufactured engine and price it, or gamble and try some junkyard engines for cheaper.
How bad is your coolant loss? Scotty's used Bar's Head Gasket Sealer with good results on vehicles with slow head gasket leaks.
You have to ask yourself, is it worth $4k and keep the truck or trade it in and get into debt on a continuous basis? If it were me, I would get other estimates. $4k should almost be able to get you a new engine.
Let's see.....................
$4000 for a new engine,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
$40,000+ for a new truck?
Hmmmm what to do?
Any sealer used is going to be a temporary fix at best.