Im looking at buying a 85 944 The owner says he took it to a place and they told him it was going to cost about 20 thousand 2 fix it need a head gasket and theres fluid leaking into the motor. Is this a hard thng to fix and will it really cost that much This is important it is a close fried of the family theres history it was his fathers and both his parents died when he was young and its all he has left. i just dont wanna see it in the rong hands if some1 could help me that would be great.

 

I'm gonna guess that you made a typo when you said 20 thousand, and meant 2 thousand.

A head gasket is a 13 hour (book time) job to replace. If the shop rate is 100 an hour, figure 1300 there. Then figure a new timing and balance shaft belt since they are loose, so add another 75 bucks. $115 or so in gaskets for the head, cam tower, and intake. I would do the oil cooler seals as well, add an hour of labor ($100) and 40 bucks in seals. Miscellaneous supplies such as coolant, and an oil change, add another 100 bucks. So 2 grand is not completely out of the question, if they are doing some other things.

 

Thanks doc and thats no typo thats what the guy old he $20,000 so maybe theres more rog with it but i dont know 944 im in to Nissans and hondas im just trying o help out a friend and learn something new

 

I can completely rebuild an engine for 6k on a 944, so the 20 grand cant be right. Go to a different shop, there is no way even with a new engine, and new tranny, you are still under 10k.

 

I might suggest that you reconsider buying that car since you can get one that's running and reliable (assuming you've researched all the maintenance history on it) for around $5000. I did, twice and have been very pleased. good luck.