So, I started overheating. Changed the thermostat. Limp-home mode still kicks in, and on stopping, the coolant all shoots out (or a vast majority of it).

I'm thinking this is a head problem, and the dealership said I need a new engine because it failed the block test, and the tech heard 'noise'.

1995 Aurora... They want $6000 or more for repairs. Car's not worth that much, and I'm a lowly math-type $tudent.

Should I just get rid of it? How much could I or should I expect?

To get a good idea of selling prices for a car I've always found used car listings at cars.com to be helpful. They've got tools to sort by all sorts of factors, and they include some newspaper classified ads too, so you can get ideas for private sales as well.

It's definitely not worth paying $6k to fix it. That sounds way too expensive for a new engine though, unless they are talking a new one from GM. Someone recently said they paid $700 at a salvage yard and another $700 to have it installed, though the mechanic sounded pissed afterwards.

I love my Aurora, but if I were back in college I would've in no way been able to afford fixing all my little issues. You can rebuild like 2 Cavaliers or Focuses from spare parts for the cost of an a/c compressor job for goodness sake...

I do recall someone (Indy?) had coolant spewing issues. A search might help with suggestions on that- it could be as simple as your coolant tank cap not holding pressure.

This seems to be a popular thread - overheating/head gasket.

Two things to look into:

1) Replace the radiator cap. I had a problem with coolant spewing out of the surge tank too, and a new radiator cap seemed to solve that problem.

2) Yes it probably is a blown head gasket. I used a product for block repair called Bar's Leak engine/block/head gasket repair. It has been working well for me, however, it is not 100% effective. But, it's way cheaper than a new engine or head repair/replacement.

Has anyone else tried the Bar's Leak (or similar) product?

Keep rollin'
Bracchus

Bracchus, do not, I repeat do not use the Bar's Leak stuff. It will cause more problems than you wish to know about. Personally, I recommend going with a use engine from a Insurance Salvage/Junk Yard. I have seen them go for anywhere between 350.00 to 800.00 bucks. Installation will be around 400.00. Good Luck.