Time To Change A Head Gasket

[Minty Sauce 2]

My 1.6 gti has developed a head gasket leak with exhaust gas in the expansion tank. I am trying to get quotes from a few garages to carry out the work. What is a reasonable time scale for an experienced mechanic to remove the head, replace the gasket, refit head and return the car to service, assuming no unexpected issues (no cracked head hopefully).

 

Cheers.

[allye 530 3 Cars]

The head will need pressure testing so add at least £100 on top of parts and labour and a few days. A good garage will turn that around in 3-5 days depending on pressure testing company.

[dcc 855]

I have dropped heads off at 8am and theyve been ready by 2pm following a skim and testing. Usually a 3-4 hour job to get head off and clean things up, same to get head on and everything back together nicely. If it all goes smoothly its only really a days work

[allye 530 3 Cars]

A days work indeed for you or me, a busy garage on the other hand I can assure it won't be!

[dobboy 231 2 Cars]

I'd buy a spare head, get it skimmed, rebuilt with a top end kit, valves done, head tested etc by a machine shop.

 

Take refurb'd head to garage with car and ask them to swap them over.

 

You'll need a new timing belt/kit too.

 

Should help minimise the time the car is in garage, and also help keep tabs on costs and unexpected issues.

[Miles 331 1 Cars]

Catch 22, it's 'if it all goes to plan'. I'd allow a week as re-shimming the cam etc takes a while if you want to go that far but while it's off you may as well do it all, But always allow allot for unexpected issues

[Minty Sauce 2]

Thanks for the responses. A few more questions please.

 

What thickness is a normal gasket? Is there an allowable amount that can be skimmed before a thicker gasket has to used?

 

Also do all 1.6's use the same water pump/belt kit, mine is a '91 J reg.

 

Thanks again.

[Anthony 1,003]

Best checking on the cambelt and waterpump - being a '91 it should be the earlier 113 tooth setup, but I've seen J-reg with the later 114 tooth setup (including my own '92/J)

 

Cambelt, tensioner and waterpump all differ between the two.

 

Unless the head has been heavily skimmed before I wouldn't worry too much about a thicker gasket - the later 1.6's were a bit down on compression compared to the earlier engines anyway.

[Alan77 78 1 Cars]

Peugeot still do a thicker 1.5mm 'repair' head gasket. I've got one on mine as its had a few skims. Still available at an eye watering £52.