Head gasket repair cost
A head gasket is the most important part of a vehicle that plays a crucial role in maintaining compression, preventing leaks, and keeping water, oil, and coolant away from the combustion chamber. Repairing a head gasket leak is a labor-intensive repair task that takes a lot of time and effort.
The price reflects the amount of work that needs to be done to get your head gasket back to work. So, most people just go to replace the gasket rather than get it repaired. If you are looking for how much it will cost to repair a head gasket leak, read on to find out!
How Much Does Repairing a Head Gasket Leak Cost?
The cost of repairing a head gasket leak can be one of the most expensive auto repair jobs. It can well run into thousands of dollars to get your head gasket to its original working condition once it’s damaged. A real head gasket has a relatively low price.
A new head gasket costs between $30 and $50. They are relatively cheap to create since they are made of Multiple Layers of Steel (MLS), covered in a rubber-like covering. However, the typical range of cost of a head gasket leak repair is between $1,624 to $1,979. This is just the price of repairing the head gasket.
In addition to this price, you will have to pay the associated labor costs, which may range from $909 to $1,147. Two-head engines, such as the V6 and V8, may see an increase in this amount. Moreover, it takes two to three days to repair a blown head gasket since the top half of the engine has to be disassembled. Since it is a labor-intensive task to repair the head gasket, the price range is usually pretty high.
Why is a Head Gasket Leak Repair So Expensive?
The main reason for the high cost of repairing a head gasket leak is the time and effort it requires to make your head gasket functional once again. It usually involves removing the engine and replacing it with another can be comparable to brain surgery but not quite intensive. So, as the mechanic has to put a lot of effort and care into doing such a task, they usually charge a pretty high price for their work.
Since the engine type varies with the model of the vehicle, putting each one back together again involves a varied amount of effort for each engine. Moreover, it is one of the most dreaded tasks for a mechanic to repair a head gasket. So, they generally advise you to replace it entirely instead of getting it repaired, as it is much cheaper than the repair costs.
Although you must dismantle the majority of the engine’s upper half, the repair itself requires a lot of effort. Further engine harm from a burst head gasket is also very likely. If you continue to drive your automobile without a functioning head gasket, it can twist your cylinder heads and create damage that is nearly completely irreparable, making your car a total loss.
Moreover, your technician could advise a few of the additional services along with the repair. The timing belt, coolant maintenance, a new water pump, a new timing chain tensioner, and an oil change are some of them. As you have to take the engine apart to repair it, getting to your head gasket is exceedingly challenging.
How to Make Head Gasket Repair Cost Less?
One of the ways to make your head gasket repair cost less is to reduce the amount of work the mechanic has to do. This can be done by identifying the issue of the leak early on and taking necessary steps to reduce the damage. If you wait too long, it will cause more damage and add up to the bill.
Moreover, the cost will also depend on the service provider or company you choose for the repair. Although there should not be a huge difference in the costs you are offered, it may still be worthwhile to acquire a few estimates from different area mechanics to ensure you are receiving the best value.
Warning Signs to Look Out for to Avoid Paying High Cost of Head Gasket Repair
It’s always better to avoid paying the price of head gasket repair instead of finding ways to reduce it. One of the top ways to do it is to identify the early signs of damage. A damaged head gasket may indicate that your automobile will soon require more costly repairs. It’s important to get in touch with a reliable, respectable local technician if you have noticed one or more of the following symptoms of a damaged head gasket so that you can avoid heavy expenses.
Overheating of the Engine
An engine that overheats frequently is the most typical indicator of a damaged head gasket. It will take more effort from the engine to produce power if the head gasket does not function properly. Also, a burst head gasket might result in coolant loss in your car, lowering the efficiency of the engine cooling system and aggravating the overheating problem.
Thick Frothy Engine Oil
Oil and water don’t mix, but if coolant contaminates the oil in your engine, the resulting combination loses its lubricating properties. Engine coolant mixing with the engine oil system can happen if a head gasket leaks. The resulting thick, frothy liquid may gather behind the oil filler cap on the engine.
Reduced Coolant Level
Your engine may begin consuming coolant if the head gasket breaks between a coolant channel and one of the combustion chambers. An inadequate coolant level might also result in the engine overheating.
Tailpipe White Smoke
Engine coolant is mostly made of water. When the coolant is consumed in the engine, water vapor is visible as white smoke coming from the exhaust. It is an indication that the engine is consuming coolant as a result of a damaged head gasket.
Winding Up
The cost of a head gasket repair can rip a hole in your wallet. Moreover, the more you will have to spend to get back on the road, the longer you delay before visiting the workshop. In addition, the workshop you select will also influence the cost you might anticipate. It’s best to avoid such high expenses by looking for signs of a damaged head gasket.
