I've got a Dodge Ram 1500 conversion van by Legend that I've owned almost from new. With the passing of the years a few things have given out, but by and large the van has basically run pretty well and trouble free overall until last week. I was towing a trailer, coming back from the local tip, when smoke came pouring out of the engine compartment and the car died. Had it towed to our mechanic, who told us that the hose and fitting taking coolant to the engine had given way. He said if that was all we'd be okay, but it turns out the head gasket is done too - the quote to fix it up was $1800. Given the van's age I don't think it's worth, much as I have a fair bit of sentimental attachment to the vehicle - I only wish I was mechanically adept, because my understanding is that just about all of the expense is labor. You can't have everything though - I can just about rehab a house from top to bottom and inside and out, but where engine's are concerned I may know the theory, but in practical terms I don't know much at all.
Is the $1800 figure about right do you think, and what should I ask for it if we're going to junk it?
Is the $1800 figure about right do you think, and what should I ask for it if we're going to junk it?