Head Gasket Replacement

[JMallows]

A while ago i posted about losing water, and saw a garage who suggested it was the head gasket

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=197659.0

Anyway, i am going to replace the head gasket, but am finding it hard to get a garage to do a decent quote!

First garage said 4 hours labour so about £300-£350 including the parts, but he was too busy.
Second garage (VW Audi specialist) said:
gasket £96.17
bolts £47.00
labour 4hours £223.20,
but they said they couldnt find the correct parts for the car?
Third Garage have quoted:
Oil £27.00
Headgasket set £43.08
Timing belt £6.89
Headbolts £18.38
Antifreeze £11.18
Oil filter £4.07
Engine flush £8.10
Plugs £10.62 for 4
Water pump £36.20
Head skim £60
Labour £418.50 which id 7.5 hours labour!?! Which is nearly double the other garages.
He did say that i could save on the water pump, plugs flush etc which would reduce labour by 1-1.5 hours, but this still seems too high!?

Question is, I dont seem to be able to find a garage who WANT to do the work, which is fair enough i suppose as they are apparantly busy. What is stopping me from buying the part myself and doing it myself? Is it a hard job to get right?

Also, whilst the head is off, what is it worth getting done?

Some garages have told me dont bother with skimming unless needed, and others have said it must be done! Does it NEED to be skimmed?

Finally, looking at the VW heritage site, they have this part:

http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_act_shop.product_pID_16374602_crumbPageToLoad_4_lang_EN_country_GB.htm

listed as £31 pounds. Talking to VW parts dept, they are quoting the same part (with the same part number too) as £91. Why? How can i get the VW dealers to get this part, at this price? I thought VW heritage were a part of VW, and so should all be the same prices?

Thanks

[Bigdunc]

I just had my head done come to about £250 had a friend do a private job and I got the parts

Make friends with a mechanic lol

[Diamond Hell]

Definitely get the head checked over by a specialist while it is off.  You need it checked to see whether it needs skimming and pressure-tested to make sure it's not got any cracks internally that will stop it running right when it's back together.

Get it ported and flowed if you fancy it.  You will have a motor that drives smoother and revs a touch better.  If you go down this route I'd take the head to JNL Racing, just north of London.  He's a top bloke.

Also get the valve stem seals replaced to avoid the annoying smoke on start up that can plague older VWs.

If I were you I'd buy a torque wrench, spline bits and any other tools you need and do the job yourself (find an engineering shop who can do the head before you start).  You'll learn from it and provided you do it carefully and ensure the mating surfaces are clean as you do the job you'll get the same or better result than taking it to a garage.

[newlad]

Definitely get the head checked over by a specialist while it is off.  You need it checked to see whether it needs skimming and pressure-tested to make sure it's not got any cracks internally that will stop it running right when it's back together.

Get it ported and flowed if you fancy it.  You will have a motor that drives smoother and revs a touch better.  If you go down this route I'd take the head to JNL Racing, just north of London.  He's a top bloke.

Also get the valve stem seals replaced to avoid the annoying smoke on start up that can plague older VWs.


hi, firstly sorry to but in on this thread but i'm in a simular situation, gonna take the job on myself, never done a head before but am confident i can do it, anyway, my question is - what does getting the head ported mean exactly?
cheers

[DOA]

It means modifying the inlet and exhaust ports to improve the cylinder heads flow so that you can get more air (and fuel) into the cylinders.

[The Mighty Elvi]

FFS!

Do it yourself! Getting it skimmed is the best option if the engine has overheated (this may cause warping, as DH said)  If not, and it's just a replacement due to age/wear and tear then save load of cash and DIY.


In any case, you are being raped on the parts prices from both garages.

WATCH THEM ALL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23MTtYGZEQ8

[JMallows]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm not SURE, but i dont think the head has overheated, so i will wait and see until it is off.. I am going to do the head gasket and valve stem seals, then see how it all looks and if anything else needs doing!

In any case, you are being raped on the parts prices from both garages.

WATCH THEM ALL.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23MTtYGZEQ8

Thanks for vid links

What do you mean about the parts prices? They seem to match the prices from euro car parts?