Cost to have Head Gasket replaced

[T4WDOR]

Just wondering what some of you member think the average cost to get a head gasket replacement would be. Im pretty sure the head is fine, so it would just be the head gasket, maybe the valves too if it needs it. So what would you guys be comfortable paying for it?

[Petros]

If you are talking about having a repair shop do it for you, likely they would give you an estimate of about $550-600. most shops now charge $90-100/hr, plus they will charge you double for parts and assume the head needs resurfacing, crack check, and valves reground w/new stem seals.

There is only about $100 worth of parts/machining done on this kind of a job, and reground valves and stem seals are not a bad idea. Most shops will not want to do the job without all the new parts, crack check and machine shop surfaces because they would not want to take the risk of having something else occur after they replaced only the head gasket. So they take an attidude of they either do it all, a complete job, or they will not do it at all. A local shop where you know the ower and he trust you will not blame him for other problems might just do a gasket replacement, but that would be pretty rare. Or they are dishonest and will charge you for all that stuff and not do it. Which unfortuantly is pretty common practice.

If your head is all good, you can do this yourself for only about $25 for a head gasket, exhaust gasket, and some sand paper and spray solvent. It is not that difficult, you can buy or rent the tools you need for less than $50 if you do not own any. You can do it in one weekend.

good luck.