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How much to fit a head gasket??

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  • 05-08-2008 5:02pm
    #1
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭


    Sadly the head gasket went on my 1999 opel astra the last day, i took it to a local garage to get it done, the head has to be skimmed an all that which i knew myself an theres a good 8-10 hours labour, now what i thought would cost roughly 500-700 euro is now costing me 900e, does this sound right or is he taken the piss?

    cheers lads


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    #2
    smash
    Closed Accounts Posts: 34,809 ✭✭✭✭smash


    yep, it's always a pricey job... shop around though


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    #3
    Cosmo K
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Cosmo K


    Main dealer, or independent mechanic? If its an independent mechanic, 900 sounds a bit steep. Although, with a timing belt kit, tensioners, new set of bolts, head skimmed, oil+filter, coolant and all that....if you use only genuine parts, 900 could be about right.


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    #4
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    Cosmo K wrote: »
    Main dealer, or independent mechanic? If its an independent mechanic, 900 sounds a bit steep. Although, with a timing belt kit, tensioners, new set of bolts, head skimmed, oil+filter, coolant and all that....if you use only genuine parts, 900 could be about right.

    Well hes kinda half on half, he does do great work in fairness so ive been told, cant see why the timing belt would have to be done though...then again my knowledge of an engine is fairly basic so i duno, i know for a fact skimming the head doesnt cost a lot


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    #5
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 3,621 ✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    Southern Dandy wrote: »
    Well hes kinda half on half, he does do great work in fairness so ive been told, cant see why the timing belt would have to be done though...then again my knowledge of an engine is fairly basic so i duno, i know for a fact skimming the head doesnt cost a lot

    They are taking off the belt to do all that work its usually recommend to replace the belt while you are at it.


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    #6
    Cosmo K
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Cosmo K


    i know for a fact skimming the head doesnt cost a lot

    True. But, for the head to be skimmed, you have to take out valves. Which is not a difficult job, but a bit time consuming, you pay for the extra labour.


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    #7
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    ronoc wrote: »
    They are taking off the belt to do all that work its usually recommend to replace the belt while you are at it.

    I see, sure the water pump wouldnt need changing if the belt is being done?


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    #8
    BabyEater
    Registered Users Posts: 691 ✭✭✭BabyEater


    I just paid €180 for the head to be skimmed, 4 new valves and a new head gasket as my timming belt broke on me 1997 meagne.


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    #9
    Cosmo K
    Registered Users Posts: 985 ✭✭✭Cosmo K


    I see, sure the water pump wouldnt need changing if the belt is being done?
    Well....actually, yes. They do recommend to change the water pump as well.


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    #10
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    Cosmo K wrote: »
    Well....actually, yes. They do recommend to change the water pump as well.

    Thought that, the belt and pump were done though when i got it, around year and a half ago...


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    #11
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    BabyEater wrote: »
    I just paid €180 for the head to be skimmed, 4 new valves and a new head gasket as my timming belt broke on me 1997 meagne.

    Where you get it done, india??? should cost bare minimum 400e like, between labour and parts


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    #12
    BabyEater
    Registered Users Posts: 691 ✭✭✭BabyEater


    That does not include taking the head off or putting it back on yet. Still has to be done


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    #13
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    BabyEater wrote: »
    That does not include taking the head off or putting it back on yet. Still has to be done

    That still fairly cheap, still though, i doubt it very much your bill will amount to 900e goin by your prices so far


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    #14
    Toots
    Administrators, Business & Finance Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 16,920 Admin ✭✭✭✭✭Toots


    €900 would be about the going rate alright. It's a tricky job, so you're paying mostly for labour. My last car was a Daewoo Matiz (2000 reg), the head gasket went on it and I was ringing around to get quotes for it, and one garage actually said straight out "you'd be better off getting a new car, cos the repairs are going to cost more than what the car's worth!".


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    #15
    Southern Dandy
    Registered Users Posts: 2,006 ✭✭✭Southern Dandy


    Toots85 wrote: »
    €900 would be about the going rate alright. It's a tricky job, so you're paying mostly for labour. My last car was a Daewoo Matiz (2000 reg), the head gasket went on it and I was ringing around to get quotes for it, and one garage actually said straight out "you'd be better off getting a new car, cos the repairs are going to cost more than what the car's worth!".

    Crazy like, sad thing is i need the car badly so it looks like im guna have to fork out the dosh for it, regardless, apart from the obvious what is actually involved in changing the head, is there anything else besides the gasket and head that gets done?


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