Head gasket gone in 06 Astra. Options now?

The-Rafalution

As per the title, the head gasket in my Astra has recently gone. The car is still driving OK but obviously shouldn't be driven. Car has just passed nct and is in perfect condition, only 75k miles. What are my options now? I rang 2 mechanics and it will cost 1k upwards to fix. I would prefer not to put 1k into it as i was hoping to sell it before the head gasket went. So my question is, is repair the only option or would any dealer/trader be interested. Or is there any other less expensive repair option? Any advice is welcome. Thanks

corglass

The-Rafalution wrote: »

As per the title, the head gasket in my Astra has recently gone. The car is still driving OK but obviously shouldn't be driven. Car has just passed nct and is in perfect condition, only 75k miles. What are my options now? I rang 2 mechanics and it will cost 1k upwards to fix. I would prefer not to put 1k into it as i was hoping to sell it before the head gasket went. So my question is, is repair the only option or would any dealer/trader be interested. Or is there any other less expensive repair option? Any advice is welcome. Thanks

Engine swap could work out cheaper. Say 300 for engine from scrap yard and 300 labour. Drop in job.


If you're getting engine parts in a scrap yard, always get it from a car with obvious crash damage otherwise it could have been scrapped for engine or transmission damage

savagethegoat

seems very expensive for a head gasket replacement.

dev100

The-Rafalution wrote:

As per the title, the head gasket in my Astra has recently gone. The car is still driving OK but obviously shouldn't be driven. Car has just passed nct and is in perfect condition, only 75k miles. What are my options now? I rang 2 mechanics and it will cost 1k upwards to fix. I would prefer not to put 1k into it as i was hoping to sell it before the head gasket went. So my question is, is repair the only option or would any dealer/trader be interested. Or is there any other less expensive repair option? Any advice is welcome. Thanks

Is she starting to boil on the temp gauge ? The older astras were renowned for heading gaskets going . It's a bit expensive ... petrol or diesel ? I'd get a few more quotes from one man operations or go to specialist who does head gasket jobs. The costs for labor stripping and reassembly and sending head off to be skimmed replacing the bolts etc.

If your car isn't boiling on temp gauge and you are in position to buy a new car I'd trade her on asap . If you gonna be stuck with for a while I'd get it sorted I'd talk to a mechanic and you do the donkey work ie bring it off to be skimmed etc that way you ain't paying for this time.

Replacing engines labor costs is an issue

The-Rafalution

Its 1.4 petrol. I've read online that they are prone to head gasket issues. The quote of approx. 1k was from my local mechanic and also I called a dealer who said it would be worthless to them which is fair enough and also estimated approx 1k to fix. My preferred option would be to trade in and take a hit but i'm not sure who would be interested in taking it. Having said that, it is in great condition apart from head gasket and still is driving smooth. There is no temp gauge as such, just a light that comes on if its boiling, which isn't on. As one poster mentioned above, an engine replacement might be an option too. Still unsure on the best way to go.

Buffman

Ring around and get a few quotes. Maybe consider just starting with a head removal to assess the damage to see if skimming is required and then decide if it's worth it.

From a quick look on DD, they seem to be asking between €2K-€3K for similar cars, so you'll have to factor repair costs into that if selling.

You could also try and sell 'as is' in the damaged section on DD, you might get around €1500 for it with long NCT and lowish mileage if the body is in good condition.

Just wondering if there's no temperature gauge and you're not boiling over and it's running ok, what symptoms is it showing?

Video shows what's involved in fixing a 'boiled' head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pwgk255nTjA

The-Rafalution

It's losing coolant, and the oil dip is showing oil to be off colour, gone grayish. When I take off the oil cap too, there's like grey smudge underneath. Thanks for replies

Buffman

The-Rafalution wrote: »

It's losing coolant, and the oil dip is showing oil to be off colour, gone grayish. When I take off the oil cap too, there's like grey smudge underneath. Thanks for replies

Ye, grey sludge isn't good, but if it's not overheating it's possible it's something else, like a failed oil cooler for example. Anyway, first step should be a diagnosis to see where you stand, a compression test would be a good starting point.

Whatever is up with it, I'd recommend not running it at all as the coolant will have 'watered down' the oil and could lead to serious engine damage, as well as not wanting to risk 'boiling' it.

edburg

Has your mechanic said its head gasket. Some these engines have oil/coolant heat exchangers that fail and cause the mix.

monkeysnapper

I've a 1.4 petrol c4 and my head gasket went in Jan and I shopped around and got mine done , belt,water pump, head and skimmed for 680 .

Is it possible to shop around , I going to drive mine for a couple of years to get my moneys worth now .

Good luck

gibbon75

When it comes to these engines 9 out 10 times the failing timing chain cover gasket causes the issue rather then the head gasket,altough the symptoms are the same.
There is a good quality spurious kit on the market with chain,tensioner,gaskets etc.,but even the genuine Opel parts aren't too dear.