So I want to know if these are reasonable prices for a headgasket leak job from one shop. Some of my friends said these are pretty good prices. $468 to resurface the head including cam seals , headgasket , coolant , and oil/filter. He gave me another option which was to rebuild the head. Im not sure what would go into it but he gave me the price at $675 with the head having 0 miles.Im debating whether to rebuild the head or just save the couple hundred and just get the headgasket replaced and resurfaced. Lmk

Thx, Ray

 

Seem like normal prices. If you can afford it go for the whole rebuild. A valve job and some new valve seals will make sure you're running smooth and aren't burning oil.

 

Thanks for the input. Seems like im headed towards a rebuilt head.

 

those prices are absolutely ridiculous. around here to mill a head and clean it runs right around 50 bucks. the headgasket job itself is a 4-6 hour job for someone with basic automotive knowledge and a ratchet set including breaker bars for axel nut and axel socket i believe is 36mm but dont quote me. if youre more experienced you can do them in about a couple hours. oh yea i for got 100 for a headgasket and 50 for machine work...do it yourself man its not really that hard. you have all the room in the world under the hood to do whatever you want.

 

If you're paying someone at a shop to do a head job those prices are perfectly normal, at least here on the east coast. It's not a hard job for someone with experience, but if the extent of your auto experience is oil changes and tune ups changing a head gasket is a big job. Apparently you've never done a head gasket either if you think you need to remove the axle nuts.

 

LOL.


i just did my first head gasket not too long ago. wasnt as bad as i thought it would be. i still have to do the timing though

 

^^^^ hahaha im loosing it....i meant crank pulley bolt....but given the ease of the job paying that much is in fact ridiculous...my 8 year old little brother could do it and has.

 

Hahah, when I read that about the axle nuts, I started scratching my head and doubting myself, trying to think of what I missed when I have removed heads... I do agree though, the crank pulley is the biggest obstacle.

@ OP - Those prices don't seem that outrageous though, I've seen a lot worse.

 

are you ******* kidding me? the prices he has listed are damned stellar. you guys need to remember when you're paying a shop to do work, you're paying for overhead. do you have any idea of the expenses of overhead? the cost of tools alone is hundreds of thousands. add on top the cost to keep people employed. the mortgage/lease fees? in this economy? those are only a few hurdles. there is so much more. it's a huge uphill battle for the independent shop. these guys need to keep the lights on. it's called a business. yes, a business. and if they're lucky, a SMALL portion goes above keeping the lights on and is taken in as profit. and much of that even goes towards paying their mortgage/cost of living. let's not forgot those costs as well. just try and keep those factors in mind when an estimate is offered.
to the op, those are absolutely competitive prices. dare i say, excellent.
try going to the dealer. see how hard they bend you over when all is said and done. it's all relative though. their overhead is much greater than an indie shop.

 

[QUOTE=el crapitan;47748213]are you ******* kidding me? the prices he has listed are damned stellar. you guys need to remember when you're paying a shop to do work, you're paying for overhead. do you have any idea of the expenses of overhead? the cost of tools alone is hundreds of thousands. add on top the cost to keep people employed. the mortgage/lease fees? in this economy? those are only a few hurdles. there is so much more. it's a huge uphill battle for the independent shop. these guys need to keep the lights on. it's called a business. yes, a business. and if they're lucky, a SMALL portion goes above keeping the lights on and is taken in as profit. and much of that even goes towards paying their mortgage/cost of living. let's not forgot those costs as well. just try and keep those factors in mind when an estimate is offered.
to the op, those are absolutely competitive prices. dare i say, excellent.
try going to the dealer. see how hard they bend you over when all is said and done. it's all relative though. their overhead is much greater than an indie shop.[/QUOTE

Indeed. Thanks. Yea i've heard of prices in the thousands. Going to the dealership would be even crazier.

 

In that price also remember that there is a warranty usually included. You don't get that when doing at home. At those prices though it wouldn't even make it worth my time to tackle the job.

I say unless you are very confident you can handle the job take it to the shop. But, by all means I say go for it. Get some manuals and start learning.

 

x2 what el captain said. they are very good price's! i assume that would include water pump tensioner and pully and cambelt. also when dealing with a shop you can have that piece of mind that any damage from incorect instalment will be refunded and replaced by shop.

also it's not such an easy job for an semi expierienced do it yourselfer.
the valve to piston ratio is so close that it prety much has to be bang on perfect the first time.

IMO i would get the head rebuilt. if on a budget. head surfaced and headgasket will do for say 20,xxxkms to 50,xxxkms where as if you rebuilt head should be all go for easily 100,xxxkms giving the ring's dont decide to pack it

 

I usually charge 250 labor including resurface. and you will need new coolant, headgasket,seals. which should run you around 120. So $370 total

Check my sig. I always try and hook people up with reasonable prices.

 

You work in a shop man? How much to do a rebuilt head?