Here's another esoteric, yet generic question:

Should I use any gasket sealant on the throttle-body gasket (the gasket between the throttle-body and the intake-manifold) or just lay the new gasket on there, bare, and bolt the throttle body in place?

 

Just the gasket is fine, no sealant.

 

I concur....no sealant.....!

 

I think I have a head gasket issue and I could sure use some advise. After work on Friday (car sat for 6 hours) as I am on my way home my 87 volvo 740 gle starting smoking from the back of the hood. Is that a sure head gasket issue and if so...what is a fair cost to repair??

 

Did you pop the hood while engine running and seen smoke coming by the firewall?

Or as you were driving smoke came out from the back of the hood?

Did the temperature gauge go up?

Take a look at the heater hoses to see if they are leaking fluid and on to the engine and causing smoke....I don't see that happening but check anyways.

A fair cost to repair break down......

At a shop.....$500 to 1000 dollars...

Yourselft.....$50 to 100 dollars....5 hours...get a manual and it is doable....all day if you don't work on cars with help.

FIGURE:
SHOP HOURLY RATE: 60 TO 100 PER HOUR AND A WOULD TAKE THEM ABOUT 5 HOURS
PLUS 100 FOR BASIC PARTS LIKE GASKET AND FLUIDS...NO BELTS OR OTHER STUFF
THIS IF THE CYLINDER HEAD DOES NOT NEED RE SURFACING