So my jeep has been losing coolant over time. No coolant in the oil, no obvious oil in the coolant. It smells, but hasn't been leaving any drops on the driveway.
I took it to firestone and they did a "block test", which they said indicated a head gasket. They also pressurized the coolant system and noticed a slow decrease in pressure over time.

So, how big are my chances it's actually a head gasket, vs something else like an intake manifold leak?

Also, I called up Westgate Chrylser Jeep Dodge, and they said they don't just do the head gasket, they replace the entire head with a remanufactured head. Which seems like a needless expense to me. Over $2000 from the dealership for parts and labor. (8 hours times $150 an hour, plus $750 for a reman head)

How much of a ride am I being taken for?

Charles.

 

You don't say the year, but the radiator commonly will develop a small leak on the drivers side, when mine did it also never left anything on the driveway but over a month or so had a noticeable loss.

 

Second shop said radiator is leaking, and no evidence of head gasket problems. He did say the oil on the transmission the previous place said was from a main oil seal was actually from a cracked oil filter housing under the intake manifold. Since I know that part can go at any time, I'm having it replaced too. Unfortunately the leaking radiator is a $400 Cold Case radiator I bought in August last year. That radiator was supposed to last forever :/

Charles.