Hey my car is acting up and i'm trying to decide whether to flag it or fix it.
Been leaking for over a year, idling heavy. Recently she's been "heavy breathing" on idle like she's about to die. Was even idling at 2000 revs a few days ago. Wants to go even if I don't push the gas pedal, up to bout 50kms.
Chewing through the petrol
Spits out water from the top (theres a hose for overflow) of the coolant/antifreeze plastic holder(?) You can see that water bubbling furiously.
Mate says it sounds like she's a head gasket issue. Not firing all cylinders, so possible water leak into the cylinder as well.
I've already spent too much fixing the alternator when the power steering leaked into it. That was a few years ago. I gave my mechanic over a grand last year trying to find the leak, and he never did fix it so I got mad. fixed other stuff. Another mechanic did a whory job on it which cost me even more to fix.
What should I do? Anyone keen on this model? Got a mate in Aus keeps telling me yous guys like the S series. I reckon he's full of bananas but hey someone on here can give me an idea please and ta

Could be head gasket / cracked head. Has it ever overheated? Water in coolant header tank just bubbling, but not boiling?

I prefer EA - ED myself rather than AU, but still a nice car

It overheated going through Arthurs Pass and on the way to Dunedin...so up steep hills it gets a bit mad. I pulled over, let it cool a bit, then ran it with the heater on full blast and limped it through
I'm unsure of boiling vs bubbling. only noticed it today.

Overheating it would've more than likely warped the head,

The real question is.. Do you love the car? If so.. Drop another donk in, if your decent with a spanner do it yourself as it's easier for a novice and usually cheaper than doing the head,

Hey ya shes been a loyal car, but naw I don't love her.
I'm just not sure if I should scrap her for next to nothing or try and see if anyone actually REALLY likes this model of car, or needs parts from her. I'd hate to flick her off to a dodgy car scrapper then find out it was an easy fix or that there was someone who wanted her.

If only I could afford another car. Shame about the south island too