Cylinder Head Gasket!

[:Ace:]

My car is dying and I need a new Head Gasket!

How much am I looking at for a new one?

Cheers everyone!

:Ace:

[smorodina]

You'll probably pick up a gasket for about �20. It's the labour that will be the stinger - could run into the hundreds. I did mine myself last summer, but it's not a job I'd recommend!

[:Ace:]

I know, it's a big job! There's a cheap garage near me though, going to ask him for a price tomorrow

[cazzz1975]

average with labour you are probably looking at between 2 and 300 pounds, of course this varies depending on the garage you visit

[Abdulmajid]

If you supply the parts, always ask the mechanic that you will pay in cash.

You are not breaking the law but he will be if he does not decalre it.

If he plays ball, it should save you the minimum of 17.5 percent at least.

[:Ace:]

Cheers people. Whatever the price, I'll have to have it done!

[Panic Button]

If you try and save too severely you will regret it.

If the job isn't done properly, you will end up paying twice.

[scorpious123]

hi ace if you are mechanical minded head gaskets are not that bad to do, i have done 3 over the years.
if you get a haines manual and follow step by step i did mine in about 3 hours start to finish and never had any problems with any of them

[Jackson74]

Gasket not expensive, labour is though! You may have to get head skimmed also which will be 60-80 quid also! Heed advice below, get all you can so only labour costs incurred. 200-300 is average and unless you are a confident mechanic with the tools, I wouldn't recommend doing it yourself as job is a right pain in the grass!!!

[:Ace:]

Ok, Thank you everyone. The mechanic has told me to keep looking at my engine after every journey for a few days to see if there is a leak. And, I've just looked there when I got back from college and some parts and pipes were wet and there was a few drips coming from a little black box thing (I believe that is the technical term for it).

So...Hopefully, It isn't the Gasket and all I'll need is a new Jubilee Clip.

We'll see!

[rnchugg]

Hi just been reading the posts, I am not trying to put you off but after nearly 16years in the trade I have had to "repair" alot of DIY jobs. A headgasket Can be quiet major depending on the age and type of car. Haynes manuals are ok for a compatant person who does have a good idea of engines, BUT the thing they dont tell you is WHAT HAPPENS WHEN something goes wrong. I have yet to find ANY garage that cant deal with or dosent have the equipment to deal with such a problem. If it was break pads, rear shoes, simple service then I would encourage such a thing but a head gasket I would strongly advise to leave to the professionals. Yo give a quick simple example, we had one in a few years ago that didnt realise that the engine needed a support before removing the head, what should have benn around �300 ish cost nearly �1000. Please be warned, I dont want you to have to waste money!!!

[:Ace:]

Thanks rnchugg. I was never going to do it myself. As far as car maintenance goes I can:
Change a wheel
Check my oil
Top up my screen wash and water

And that's it. I'll definetly have to leave it to the professionals!

[rnchugg]

Good luck ace