Expert: autohelp - 10/6/2009

Question
Car overheats when driven any distance over 20 miles. My mechanic says it can't be fixed & that I need to replace the engine. Engine replacement will cost $6,000, but a procedure they called a "time sert" would cost $3,600. What should I do?

Answer
What your problem is IS that the aluminum head bolt threads in the engine are stretched/stripped due to the steel head bolts . This causes combustion chamber pressure to enter the cooling system therefore restricting the normal coolant flow.

Either a major head bolts repair will be necessary and new head gaskets or a new engine.