2013 Dodge Journey SE with 2.4 head gasket replacement

[Tiver43809]

2013 Dodge Journey Se with 2.14 engine. 
I was having overheating issues. I replaced both thermostats, but it was still overheating. Yes, I burped it. I noticed the radiator cap was torn up. I replaced it, and the car had a hard time starting, and once it did, it was blowing white smoke/steam. I have called around for a head gasket replacement, and two places said I need to replace the engine. I asked for mechanic suggestions on a town page, and some guy PM'd me and said I must replace the engine. I have fixed several head gaskets without replacing the whole engine, and they worked fine. Is this something with Dodge Journeys, or are they selling me a pig in a poke? How time-consuming is replacing the head gasket in a 2013 2.4 engine?
Thank You
Terry in McMinnville

[Tiver43809]

Has no one else had to do a head gasket in here?

[5rebel9]

Instead of asking again about a task that PROBABLY has been posted of being done by a member here, did YOU spend any time looking for postings of this task being done and what they found? 

There are many variables with a bad head gasket job that can only be determined as to outcome once that particular motor in question has been "opened up", AND it is a BIG job that most normal owners would NOT tackle. AND a lot of shops do not want responsibility for if held to just put in a new head gasket and it does not work. Example being bad rings/piston from antifreeze being burned/cracked or warped head/block.

Good luck to you in how you proceed.