Nissan Repair: 1997 nissan altima, blown head gasket, nissan altima

Question
my car recently started stalling at 2,000 rpm or more. i took it to pep boys for a diagnostic and got two sensor codes 1. p0505 for the IVAC,  p1900 coolant fan, and they said that i had blown a head gasket. They recommended going to an engine show. I called the engine show and they said it would cost 1500 bucks. My Q. Is that too high? is the car worth saving? can i do the repairs at home? (will it be difficult) thanks

Answer
Hi Damien -

The first thing I would like you to do is take a compression test on all your cylinders. This is how a blown head gasket is detected. If Pepe Boys did the test, have them give the results to you and communicate it to me.

Did the car overheat? Is it running rough at idle? With the radiator cap off and car revving up, does water spew out of the neck?

Please get back to me so we can continue -

Aloha
calvin