2001 Chevy Astro cost of repairs to replace head gaskets

[quote:e43976e7ae="chuck1008"]Engine Mechanical problem
2001 Chevy Astro 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic 130000 miles
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Hi,
I was told by my mechanic that my head gaskets were leaking as the coolant level was very low. My car is running fine and is not overheating or anything but I was told eventually it would leak into the oil and cause the engine to seize up. I was told it would cost around $ 3,000 to fix. Is this true?[/quote:e43976e7ae]

I don't get your mechanic's opinion that anything will happen "eventually" It is either there now or it is not. I would suspect that your water pump seal is going out in which case, it will sometimes leak from a "weep hole" on the body of the water pump. You can check this if you just drive until things are plenty warm, shut it off, climb underneath and look with a flashlight.

If you are not seeing any signs of water (antifreeze) on your oil dipstick, your mechanic is full of marshmello butterflys (not my first choice of phrases).

You could have a stuck thermostat or any number of causes that could make coolant come out.

If you really need head gaskets, you are in deep poo-poo. Get a 2nd opinion and have them take a compression test on each cylinder.

Anyway, if you DID have a bad head gasket, there would be more symptoms like smoking badly on startup, water in the oil on the dipstick, radiator cap blowing past with a not overheated engine.

Look in your local newspaper adds under service adds and ask local Joe's backyard car repair, and he will tell you what is going on cheap.

Ken

Hi Ken,
First, thanks for the reply. So you are saying that it's not a gradual condition that gets worst. I have seen no signs of water in the oil nor smoking. I don't know what you mean by radiator cap blowing past or how you would tell that. Is there a way to tell if it is a stuck thermostat? I will try your suggestion about test for waterpump seal.
Thanks again,
Chuck