I have about 145,000 km on this boat. I took it in for routine work and
Canadian Tire pulled me aside and said I had a leaking head gasket and to
prove it they showed me flakes of brown sediment which allegedly came from
my cooling system. The cost to repair would be around $1800.

Naturally, I wasn't about to go crazy and have it done before I did some
research. I know that Saturn has a bad rep for bad head gaskets, and after
searching and finding additives to stop leaks I've grown skeptical that
it's a head gasket at all. From what I've read, a leaking head gasket will
cause water to get into the cylinders, causing huge amounts of smoke/steam
discharge at the tail pipe. I don't have this. Second, my oil would have a
milkish look to it, and I've never noticed this. I'd also see a drop in
engine output and engine overheating. I don't have this, although it is
winter.

So it seems to me it could just be dirty coolant. I think I've had it
flushed a long time ago.

So, any opinions?