XMU2drescue

hey guys,
i noticed another thread on headgaskets but didnt wanna highjack the thread

after my suspicions had been confirmed, yes my EA has a blown head gasket

what is the best way to go about getting it fixed?
what would u guys consider a good price?

a family friend who is a mechanic quoted me $850 down from a usual $1250

is this good or should i start looking elsewhere?
by the way, yes a cylinder head has cracked


cheers, alex

peter_vod69

Depends on exactly what they are doing. Mechanic I have been seeing for my work quoted me 500 to do the job, incl new head bolts. So the prices you got both seem high. Even Ford would probably do the job for $650ish... Oh and while you got the head off you may as well get some porting and stuff done. Can't hurt...

Oh and the word seems to be to use AU head bolts, at the very least get new bolts fitted.

nath

When i had my EA, funnily enough i had a blown head too, quite common.
It cost around $600 for a reconditioned head and all the labour to fix it, if i were you i'd look around a little more.

nath

BTW, if you know anyone that knows a bit about mechanics, get them to go to the local wreckers, most likely be able to salvage a good EA head from there, and prolly a few other good parts while they are at it.

This way u'll save even more $$.

Cheers and good luck

Nath

cthawes

if it is just a blown head gasket do it ya self the gasket is like $40 retail at the most i pay 25 each :) it ain't hard to do at all

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FoMoCo4eva

hmm i made the biggest mistake of all...when mine blew I said f&^k it..took it to a mechanics and let them deal with it...never again!

I paid $2000 all up....included new head, gaskets, flush radiator, every hose was replaced and a few other things were done that i cant remember.

For that price i could have brought another engine and done heaps of mods..or even brought a XR6 engine and dumped that in...still spewing I didn't aswell!

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FOR SALE: EA/ED |T5| |2.5' Zorts| |15' EF XR'S| |AU Thermo's| |XR cosmetics|

Advertised as $4000ono. Price is negiotable for a quick sale.

nath

I know the topic states 'head gasket, but at the end of his post he said 'by the way, yes a cylinder head has cracked' so prolly be the head as well, unfortunately it could have been an easy fix.

Nath

XMU2drescue

hey guys,

i looked around today lookn for some better prices and got quoted $800 for the basic head gasket, and they have to get in there to see if theres any damage to the head, although the other mechanic alredy said the head was damaged, but im not sure if you can determine that without looking at the head??

im seeing if i can get a mates dad to getit done cheaper, at this stage i think i can only stand to be ripped off by mechanics??

cheers, alex

nath

G'day XMU2drescue, being quoted $800 for a $40 head gasket is absolute bollocks, please ask your mates dad before before handing any money over.

Good Luck

Nath.

Axeman82

Those prices aren't bad. In fact they are pretty good. You gotta consider the following points when fixing head gaskets:

*What made the head gasket go? It's probably a really good time to get the radiator pulled out, dismantled, rodded, etc to ensure that it's in perfect nick, cos half the time these are filled with casting sand and mud. Mine was 25% filled from the bottom.

*Don't put it back on without giving the head a recondition or at least getting the deck machined. You'll only be doing the job again if you don't and its not flat. And also as its cracked and most likely corroded around the no.6 cylinder water port, you'll have to get it welded. Also any head from the wreckers unless you know its been redone, get it recoed too. Should only cost around $250.

*Use new head bolts. It's only $35 from Repco for a new set of Astral head bolts and these are the newer AU style bolts with heavier heads.

*It is a job that requires a few hours labour (even more so if a head bolt has been snapped off - and quite likely) and so expect about $300 of any quote to be labour.

*You'll at least have a warranty against it in case something goes wrong. And it can - look for the thread started by Bindi.

I did have a thread around somewhere where I listed all my costs that it cost me and I did it all myself, except the head reconditioning. It came to somewhere around $500 in total, thats including new coolant, oil, plugs, thermostat, gaskets, etc.

Dan..

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