blown head gasket BA V6 '94 Astina

[Frostex]

So the story begins 2 weeks ago, when i was driving along and i noticed my temps were REALLY hot (basically max temp on the gauge). so i pull over, let it cool down and topped up the coolant tank. took all of my 2L bottle from the boot and another ~3-4L when i got home.

no problems for a week, then exact same situation happend again (but not as hot cause i had been paying extra attention to temps). So i ring the mechanic on friday he says to bring it in thursday.
On tuesday it happend again but i was at home when i noticed the temp (think it was running hot for 2-3 mins) so left it in driveway over night to fill in the morning. In the morning it had a lot of difficulty turning over but did after about 1-2 mins of on/off trying + pushing gas.

No problems since then (driven about 100kms in the meantime) but i just got it back from the mechanic and he said it was a blown head gasket and it would cost $3500 to fix.
He said that something had been slowly deteriorating and it was inevitable but when it wouldn't turn over that was when it got really ****ed.

So my questions are:
1. Is $3500 an accurate quote?
2. What do i risk if i get in the car and drive in its current condition?
3. Are there any other options?
4. I have a few rather tech savvy friends who i havnt spoken to yet but would be willing to help. Assuming we could do all labour and stuff ourselves (im a noob, but they are quite experienced), what costs am i looking at then?
5. if scenario 4 is realistic, can anybody give me some information on what is involved (preferably more specific than completely disassembling the engine)
6. car was purchased about 5 years ago with 100,000kms for ~$9000 in immaculate condition, if i was to sell it in its current condition, what return would i be looking at?

[RedLineResident]

Yeah a cracked head gasket will lead to it overheating...

$3500 is probably a bit on the steep side, but i wouldn't be repairing the current engine as it is adds up too much for labor.

If it were me i'd get a a 2nd hand engine and drop that in...

If you're lucky you can possibly get a KFZE (jap spec)
Or if your keen to mess around with it, you could possibly use this as a perfect excuse to do a KLZE conversion (ie the 2.5L out of the MX6)

Way cheaper.

[70NYD]

realistically, depending on which gasked blown, you could possibly do it in a days worth of work. that being said, if it over heated something might have warped.. so then machining would be involved which would cost more and take more time. if the firewall side is blown i am not sure but the engine mught have to come out?? (someone fill in this part )
if that is really the case i would recomend what redline said about geting a KLZE conversion, its cheaper apparently, you will end up with more power in the end and a better/faster car for that..
3500 doesnt seem to bad seeing how he probalby quoted you for the worst amount of labour possible.
parts them selfs are not expensive, you are looking at a new gasket set (about 100-200 yeah?)
and if you need to change one gasket u might as well do both
basically manifolds come out, tappet covers (new gaskets there as well) cams(make sure u mark them corectly to put them back in EXACTLY the same place and position), fuil rail and then the head can come off unless i missed something major

[Cosmo Dude]

There is little room in the V6 engine bay where you'll need to do a lot of work, most people end up jacking the engine up a few inches to access some of the timing belt stuff which you'll also need to play with. I'd recomend an engine swap rather than changing heads on an all alloy engine, if it aint warped now then there is every chance it will be unless you painstakingly de-torque and re-torque every bolt.
Depending on your end goal I'd stick with the 2.0 litre engine as you won't have any insurance or rego issues. If you want to modify then the 2.5 litre is a good upgrade.
If you keep driving it then at some point it will just fail and you'll need to have it towed, probably sooner than later.

[Frostex]

im just north of the city in melbourne. where should i start looking for 2nd hand engines? Ill see whats available a little more before i start considering a conversion.

Will most likely end up just dropping a new (2nd hand) 2.0L in.

[maztech]

$3500 is not to bad for reco your heads if that includes waterpump thermostat and cambelt price is good . if you put a 2nd hand engine in you should do the above items anyway also think about klms and has the engine been serviced all the time--- price 2nd hand one with all items may cost nearly the same with labour.

[RedLineResident]

I was quoted roughly $1100 swap over for a KFZE crate engine from japan which allegedly had under 100,000kms on it... don't know how true that was, but anyhow...
Then $500 - $600 for the labor...
Don't know how that would compare to what you come across as the mechanic is on fairly good terms with me and looks after me where he can, but ive been lucky (touch wood) that the present engine has kept it's legs thus far...
Considering it's age, kms and treatment.