Hi guys,

Yesterday, while I was turning into my neighborhood, my 2003 Galant GTZ suddenly stalled and everything locked up. It was extremely difficult to turn and I had to slam on the brakes with all my might. Everything else was still running like the AC (though no longer blowing cold air), radio, etc... I tried starting the car and it wouldn't turn over. Then I tried giving it gas while starting the car and the engine was revving normally, but as soon as I let go, it stalled again.

I just had a mobile mechanic take a look at it and he did a compression test inside on of the valves after removing the spark plug. The compression was very low and just like that he said I needed a new head gasket. He then asked if the car overheated and I said no. He said "weird" and that was that.

I got a second opinion over the phone and this mechanic told me it could be numerous other things and he wouldn't conclude that it's a bad head gasket off a compression test.

What do you guys think? I need to make a decision. Do I stick with the mobile mechanic since I already handed over $85 (it would go towards the final repair cost which he guestimated to be $900 with new head gasket) or tow my car to a shop and have them run a full battery of tests?

I know the shop seems the obvious choice and I wish I had made that call first, but since I'm already $85 in, if the majority of you think it's the gasket, I'll just go with the mobile mechanic (he's fixed my car before).

I had no other signs of a blown gasket. No overheating, no leakage, no exhaust problems... though I guess I should check the oil too.

Sorry for the long post and thanks guys. I appreciate any help I might receive.

 

if its gone a comp test, head is cheaper than rings.
If youv blown the rings you have bigger problems.

 

900 buck to do head job isnt bad, either.

 

So you think the comp test was sufficient to conclude that I need a new head gasket?

 

youre obviously not a mechanic, so you should trust your mechanic.
Theres a new website out called "google", you could type "what does it mean if my car fails a compression test" and im sure youll get some answers.

 

The snootiness is unnecessary. And no, I shouldn't trust mechanics even if I've used their services before. I always get a second opinion. Sorry, dishonesty is rampant in the business. As I told you, I am asking here because I have two mechanics telling me different things.

And for your Google comment... how exactly do you think I came across these forums? That's right... as I was Googling about my car's issue. And guess what? There are multiple outcomes from a failed comp test.

I posted here in hopes to get some feedback specifically from fellow Mitsu owners. Instead I get met with condescending bull****. Thanks anyway.

 

who pissed in your cornflakes??

If it has been DIAGNOSED by a PROFESSIONAL, id take their word.
A damn shame that you think/ dishonesty is rife, but srsly, if hes done good work before, why are you anti-him now?

So now, how many causes of no compression are there? Lets tick some off eh?

 

for the purpose, you telling a guy on the phone is not a DIAGNOSIS, either. So you have one mechanic who has TESTED and some guy on a party line.
We're back to post #2.
Hope it is a head gasket, cos thats the cheap option.
(and likely)

 

im going to bet on the timing belt

 

if the mechanic did a comp test with the timing belt missing/broken, i will accept OPs attitude towards him...