Head gasket blown :(

beamer-89

So my Fiesta decided to give up today and the head gasket blew on the motorway! I've managed to have it towed to my house, just wondering what price range it would be to get it fixed?

I'm thinking I might just pay for a new car if the repair is to expensive and was also wondering if car tax can be claimed back? I still have a month of two left on the tax and if the cars a goner it'd be nice to get the money back, cover the cost of the tow home al least!

beamer-89

Sorry didn't mean to post thread twice, if mods want to remove one please do.

Gary ITR

A few things, first off what is the car? Next it really depends on how badly damaged it is, if it fried on the motorway it's very possible that the head has cracked

As for the tax to get a refund the car must have at least 3 full months left to run

jimbob86

I actualy only dropped a fiesta down to a mechanic yesterday with what i think must be a blown gasket,i have to ring him back 2nite to find out the damage so il let u know what price he gives me.Mine was a 98 fiesta.

beamer-89

It's a 98 Fiesta, 1.25 engine.

Thanks Jimbob that would be great!

bryaner

I'll have a pop between €350-€450.

corktina

options

scrapyard engine
DIY new gasket (easyish if there is no otherdamage and you can get a torq wrench
sell for parts (could use some seats myself!)
let the garage do it.

not the end of the world.best of luck

jimbob86

Turns out its not the gasket at all,there was a filter gone that made it drink water and nothing got to do with the gasket.

sorry mate

Plug

I've only ever seen one zetec ever with a blown gasket, these are head gasket trouble free. I wonder did the OP's car have a water leak and heated up? Would it start?

beamer-89

I had a mechanic out to look and it's the head gasket that went, was quoted at least €500.
I've decided to move on and buy something else and try sell the car for parts or something!

Thanks to you all for you input!

bryaner

€500 is well heavy, I'd imagine if you shop about you could get it done for €350 or so..

Damokc

don't bite my head off for this question but why is replacing a blown head gasket so expensive? are prices so high because of the time/labour involved to take off the head and stuff? surely a thin pressed out piece of steel doesn't cost that much?

bryaner

Depends on the motor, I'd say the OP's would take around 5-6 hours + head set and skim.

johndaman66

Damokc wrote: »

don't bite my head off for this question but why is replacing a blown head gasket so expensive? are prices so high because of the time/labour involved to take off the head and stuff? surely a thin pressed out piece of steel doesn't cost that much?

I've had enough head gaskets give up on me over the years so I've a bit of basic knowledge of whats involved in fixing and costs involved. Believe me the thin pressed out piece of metal is only a tiny part of the equation and will only cost a small fraction of the overall expense.

My understanding is labour is generally an average of 4-5 hours for an average run of the mill car and a reasonably efiicient and knowledgeable mechanic. On some engines the job would take a hell of a lot longer but on very basic engines with a very efficient mechanic it may be done quicker perhaps.... Overall the later would most likely be the exception to the general rule I'd be thinking. I'm sure your probably all too familiar with mechanic labour rates and can see how costs are getting steep already....

Overall I've observed that mechanics seem to differ immensly in their approach to a HG repair. A lot would insist that a complete head gasket kit is imperative....exhaust gaskets and what not that would be in the kit. Also, new headbolts as most will tell you there is only one squeeze in them. The head will need to be skimmed with perhaps only the real cowboys out there skipping this process...Head sent of to an engineering works, and machined, cost about €50 or €60 any time I got it done. The mechanic is no doubt most likely charging you for travel and his time on the road if the engineering works is any great distance away from him. Often a new water pump might be needed as perhaps it may be what caused the HG to give in the first place. Might be advisable to change it anyway and timing belt / timing belt kit when doing the HG anyway if you are approaching the due mileage any time soon as you would sort of be doubling up on the labour cost if you follow me...

Also, if the oil was mixing with the coolant to any great extent a thorough flush of the cooling system would be necessay and then new coolant and oil and filter when your at it. It may even sometimes be necessary to put in a new rad I've being told once or twice.

So all in not a very small job in terms of labour, processes and parts also quite often and easy to see how costs mount up.

I stand to be corrected on any point of indeed ommission I've made but all the same I think the above is perhaps typical of what might be encountered in a relatively average HG repair