# Rav4

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/rav4/10405>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** gaskets\
**Created:** [February 9, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rav4/10405 "2008-02-09T16:51:18Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![melodyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90db22/32.png) [@melodyr](https://community.cartalk.com/u/melodyr)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rav4/10405/1 "2008-02-09T16:51:18Z")

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I have a 1997 RAV4 with 144K miles that’s blown its head gasket. Should I replace it for $1800, or trash it? The car mechanic says, no, but I’m skeptical. It’s been reliable up until now, but maybe its reliability is now under question. Please help me decide.

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**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\
**Post date:** [February 9, 2008, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rav4/10405/2 "2008-02-09T18:08:52Z")

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If you fixed it, you might get about $3000-$4000, depending on the options. It may be worth fixing either to keep or sell. Is the mechanic a car dealer (new or used)? If so, he might also want to sell you a car. He should offer at about $600 in trade before the work or about $2600 after. Another issue is collateral damage. Will they do anything but replace the gasket? Lastly, you might get a price for the same work elsewhere. Once you have a written estimate, shop it around to see if someone can do the work for less. Or, if you can drive it, take it to another place for their estimate.