Been awhile... cooling issue

[IronCrossMac]

I apologize if this issue has been brought up before (it probably has too). I am stuck on my phone so searching and exploring is somewhat cumbersome. Feel free to link threads and throw insults in my direction for beating a dead horse.

I've had the T-stat housing replaced and the crossover tube, and my mechanic (who I believe to be trustworthy and honest) says that I have a slight head gasket leak. He added a stop leak solution to try and bandaid the issue, but my car won't stop overheating. It runs up to temp and does fine for a bit, then the temp climbs erratically and eventually lights the temp warning light. I have plenty other issues with my poor car, but this is the one preventing me from even driving it. I've been quoted about 3k to have the head gasket replaced, but for that kind of money I'd rather either sell my car or invest in a long block or something even though I don't have the money for really any option right now.

As always, I appreciate any and all help from everyone here.

PS. I apologize again for being the brazillionth person to ask the same question over and over again.

 

[joegr]

How about a little tiny bit of information like the year and engine (V6 or V8)?
Head gasket problems on the V8 are very rare, but misdiagnosis of other problems as head gasket problems is pretty common.
Stop leak and the V8 don't seem to get along at all. It may be toast now anyway.

 

[IronCrossMac]

Oh, yeah. The pertinent info...

2005 3.9 130,000 miles.

 

[joegr]

Oh, yeah. The pertinent info...

2005 3.9 130,000 miles.

There are more plastic parts than just the T-stat housing and crossover pipe that you need to replace.
This covers most of them:
http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?91092-GenII-LS8-Cooling-System-Overhaul

You may need a whole lot of flushes to get that stop leak out and may need to replace the radiator now. (This is from experience of others who used it on the LS.)

The plastic parts develop tiny cracks that let air in. This gives the same symptoms as a head gasket problem. (A simple hydrocarbon test would verify that it isn't.) All the parts do this at about the same time. Once one starts, you need to replace them all.

 

[IronCrossMac]

That all sounds a lot cheaper than a head gasket or engine. There is much more to be done to my car, but getting this coolant issue dealth with is the most critical.

Thank you as always joegr, you are an invaluable source of information.