If you were going to pull a 195,000-mile engine...

[dcarrb]

…in order to replace head gaskets, and planned to keep the car for another few years @ roughly 5000 miles per year, would you do just the obvious stuff (reseal kit, hoses and sensors beneath the intake, timing belt and tensioners, water pump and so-on), or go ahead with a complete rebuild? Engine is stout, doesn't burn oil, overheat, nor make scary noises. Occasional spirited driving but no abuse or triple-digit speeds in the past 40,000 miles. Budget is a definite consideration. I would be paying for trusted labor.

If a rebuild: rings, bearings… what else?

Thanks,
dcb

[Crazy_pilot]

How much longer before you pull the engine out? Something you could do is send in a used oil sample to Blackstone Labs to get an idea of how the bearings are feeling. When you pull the heads off you'll be able to tell what the cylinders look like. Honestly if everything looks good at that point I'd be on the side of leaving it alone and letting it roll on.

[1986nate]

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

How much longer before you pull the engine out? Something you could do is send in a used oil sample to Blackstone Labs to get an idea of how the bearings are feeling. When you pull the heads off you'll be able to tell what the cylinders look like. Honestly if everything looks good at that point I'd be on the side of leaving it alone and letting it roll on.

+1

Unless there seems to be reason or symptoms that show signs of weakness, I'd leave it be and just take care of the top end. (or should I say the sides? )
They've been proven to last to 300k miles. (granted, some have also had issues around 100k)

[dcarrb]

I'm not even certain yet that there's a head gasket problem; just pondering options. Heard a momentary gurgle under the hood after I shut off the car and saw that the coolant reservoir was filled to nearly the top and had "burped" lukewarm (not boiling) coolant. Cold radiator held about a half gallon, which would account for the amount over the reservoir "full" line. Coolant is clear, oil on dipstick isn't milky or weird, temp gauge is solid under all conditions. I've continued to drive normally (close to home) and have had no issues, but the reservoir sure seems to have a gasoline smell.

I don't have the dough to throw away on needless PM but don't want to be "penny wise and pound foolish," either.

dcb

[svxcess]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

I'm not even certain yet that there's a head gasket problem; just pondering options. Heard a momentary gurgle under the hood after I shut off the car and saw that the coolant reservoir was filled to nearly the top and had "burped" lukewarm (not boiling) coolant.

Cold radiator held about a half gallon, which would account for the amount over the reservoir "full" line. Coolant is clear, oil on dipstick isn't milky or weird, temp gauge is solid under all conditions. I've continued to drive normally (close to home) and have had no issues, but the reservoir sure seems to have a gasoline smell.

Sounds like the beginning of a HG. When mine did that, it continually pushed fluid out of the radiator, but not draw it back in when it was cold. Rad kept getting emptier and the reservoir kept getting fuller.

Ans this was on a well-maintained 96 engine with 120,000 miles.
.

[Tapani]

Same symptoms as mine.

Just finnished cleaning up te garage. Will start pulling the engine tomorrow. Hopefully will have a parts list by Monday .

Tapani