No its just seriously painful to try and read your post.

 

I didnt think it was all that bad. You could get what he was saying pretty easily.

What we are trying to tell you durango is that you DO NOT need a whole new engine. All you needed was the head gasket replaced because that was your problem. How much are they charging you?

 

Ahh the 420a, you gotta love 'em. Did a head gasket replacment on my 98 neonRT. all your symptoms point to that. mine was so bad I had th flush the cooling system 3 times to finally get it right. and before I tore into it I took a lookie at the codes. it had 5 including the O2 sensor. After finishing the work of course the computer reset and guess what? they all disappeared. the "old and worn out" engine had 165,000 miles and after parts and engine shop work I paid a grand total of $275. I bought the car for $200 and sold it for $4000.

Beleive me I know all about those "reputable" mechanics and car dealers. The 420a is known for 1g head gaskets going bad. If you don't beleive anything I say just mail me and I'll gladly send you to another site that will tell you the same exact thing. the people who already posted here are just trying to save you from a major rip off. Besides, what does anyone here have to gain form telling you any diffrent. It's not like were in cahoots with your mechanic and going to split the profits...

 

well put 2bdetermined. Thats what im saying. I have a feeling this guy either just wants to rip him off or has no idea what he is doing. Its mechanics like this i just want to call and yell at for being a retard

 

If you have a chance to go and do a compression test right in front of the mechanic...... =)

 

Coughcough.... a bad head gasket will show crappy compression. Not a valid test

 

i think that was the point wasnt it.. To show that the compression will be bad. Also coughcough....a bad headgasket doesnt always give bad compression

 

true, mine didn't give bad compression. when i tore it apart it was barely cracked but enough to make the car run like dog crap. i know exactly what ur car was doing. these cars are KNOWN for blowing head gaskets it's b/c Mitsu din't tighten the outside head bolts to a tight enough spec. seriously, you need to call the guy and tell him NOT to swap the engin, unles you just have the money to blow, in which case i'd say just get another car.

 

It sounds like he was driving it repeatidly with the head gasket gone.. and empty on coolant. I wouldnt be suprised if the damn thing is vapourized

 

the head probably looks like an S by now