I have a leaking headgasket, what is a fair price for this?

CustomVW · Post by **CustomVW** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 2:13 am

was quoted $450 for labor + parts

mocpac · Post by **mocpac** » Wed Aug 04, 2004 8:52 pm

what exactly is the problem? I pay that for a leak near the transmition and the trasmition have to be removed to correct it.

For that leaking problem, I pay just 45.00 for labor and 30 for the ruber sealler part (dont know the name in english)

CustomVW · Post by **CustomVW** » Thu Aug 05, 2004 12:40 am

I am losing coolant, but there is no coolant leak, the Check engine light comes on (2 codes- cam sensor and mis fire) and they said it apparently overheated the other day when they took it for a test run.

Black Knight · Post by **Black Knight** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:28 am

450 + Parts Thats a rip off. What mocpac_ser said is prety good . I would say around 60 to 65 labor + parts. But since i do my own work the main head gasket is around 15 to 20 dollars plus intake and exaust manifold gaskets $20. And thats it. Total cost $40 and a few hours of work.

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz · Fri Aug 06, 2004 2:44 am

If it overheated, as you said, then you may have warped the head.
If the head is warped, then it has to be machined flat again, or possibly replaced if it is warped beyond repair & reuse.
If they are giving you an estimate at replacing the cyllinder head, then $450 is not too high. They may be quoting high so you do not expect a $60 repair bill and walk in and they tell you $450. It would be better to quote you $450 and then your final bill is $60 or so.

They may just be prepairing you for the worst outcome of a warped and/or damaged head.

Cliff

AcingTeam · Post by **AcingTeam** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 4:08 pm

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz wrote:They may just be prepairing you for the worst outcome of a warped and/or damaged head.

Cliff

That's when you actually have to talk to them and not guess and hope for a lower total price.

CustomVW · Post by **CustomVW** » Fri Aug 06, 2004 6:21 pm

This is what I got from them today:
===================================
As everything stands here is the full Estimate..
The list John Printed up goes in much greater detail but this will give you whats on the sheet

Labor: replace head gasket - $450
Labor Service rear brakes - $112.50
Lobor: Add Refrigerant - $60.00
Labor: Fixed two bent left side rims and straightened as much as possable + Balanced all four tires- $45.00
Labor: Cleared codes - $37.50

Parts:
Head Gasket set (coming from FL)- $250
Coolant - $10.50
Rear Pad set - $89.95
Machine Rotors - $40.00
Oil Change- $30.00
Resurface Cyl Head - $45.00
Parts: $350.45
Labor: 775.00
Resurface head - $45.00

Supplies- $10.00
Tax- 70.23
TOTAL= $1,250.68

TheGreatAndPowerfulOz · Fri Aug 06, 2004 10:42 pm

Hrm ... $250 for a head gasket???

http://www.gm-car-parts.com has them listed for:
HEAD GASKET, Lanos - 1.6L 99-02 $20.93

That is the GM parts dealer in Royal Oak, MI where I bought all my engine parts.
VERY fast service, too.

Charging over 10 times it's price is just a rip off and the money is going into someone's pocket.

Also, you listed the head being resurfaced twice.