Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Kidderminster
618 Reviews
Garage serving Kidderminster, 10 years of experience
I am a diagnostic technician, qualified MOT tester, Institute of Motor Industry assesor and general mechanic following my father's footsteps who has over 40 years experience in the trade. Having completed my...
RICHARD, Rowley Regis • 6th June 2017
490 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Kidderminster, 20 years of experience
I began my career with Formula 1 Auto Centres as a tyre & exhaust fitter for around 1 year. I wanted to gain my proper qualifications so I studied at college to gain my NVQ Level 2 and 3 and subsequently I...
27 Reviews
Garage serving Kidderminster, 15 years of experience
We based in west Bromwich in high Street area we working in this profession for last 15 years we carried out all the minor and major work also we do mot class 4 light vehicles we give good and honest advice ...
MAURICE, COVENTRY • 29th June 2021
Ford Fiesta • Cylinder head gasket replacement
367 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Kidderminster, 21 years of experience
I completed my apprenticeship at Brunel Ford in Bristol for around 4 years before moving to Mercedes and Vauxhall respectively to gain valuable knowledge and understand different makes & models of cars. I h...
JOSEPH, Bristol • 28th April 2020
56 Reviews
Garage in West Bromwich, 40 years of experience
KJ Motors is an independent garage based in West Bromwich with a five star rating on google and check a trader . Sid as he is affectionately known by the locals owns and runs the garage. Sid is a fully quali...
THOMAS, WORCESTER • 18th May 2019
Vauxhall Zafira • Cylinder head gasket replacement
2 Reviews
Garage in Tipton, 28 years of experience
Princes End Garage are experts in all aspects of vehicle repairs & servicing for most makes & models of cars, also providing professional services for vehicle remapping to get more power and economy out of y...
50 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Birmingham, 28 years of experience
I worked for a small garage for about ten years where I studied and learned under the existing mechanics, and then decided to set up my own garage. So, now I own my own garage with a transit van, I can do ne...
PHIL, Birmingham • 12th September 2015
Land Rover Freelander • Cylinder head & gasket replacement
99 Reviews
Garage in Birmingham, 20 years of experience
Sham's Autos began in 2002 as a business and through the years has developed a strong customer base and the garage has developed into what now is a 4 ramp workshop which includes an MOT ramp, we employ 4 ful...
ARTHUR, Birmingham • 21st December 2018
113 Reviews
Garage in Birmingham, 30 years of experience
Has your car been giving you regular problems? Have you noticed a pipe leaking or engine overheating? Maybe it’s time you got your vehicle serviced. Who better to do it than the experts at R.P.S Garage Servi...
27 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Telford, 19 years of experience
I carried out my apprenticeship at an independent Land Rover specialist before moving on to work in a main dealer garage. I then worked with a private company running and maintaining a fleet of vehicles. ...
46 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Tamworth, 12 years of experience
At RDK Classics we treat every customer's car as if it was our own pride and joy. No matter what your needs we can help no job is too big or too small. We can tackle a wide variety of work from servicing to ...
125 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in South Derbyshire, 50 years of experience
John owns and runs Premier Vehicle Services. Prior to that began his mechanic career with an apprenticeship in 1970 with a garage in Repton and spent a number of years there before moving on. He worked with ...
NIGEL, Nuneaton • 19th March 2020
Land Rover Range Rover • Cylinder head gasket replacement
194 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Loppington, 33 years of experience
Hometune was originally established in 1968 as the first mobile car engine tuning company in the UK. Originally a franchise with over 150 vans nationwide, we have been owned and run by such companies as Maz...
33 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Gloucester, 11 years of experience
I began my career with Marchant's Coaches in Cheltenham where I completed my apprenticeship and worked through college in Bristol. In total I was with Marchant's for around 5 years. I moved to the Glouces...
30 Reviews
Garage in Leicester, 30 years of experience
I first qualified as a mechanic back in the 80s working for different people i now have a fully functioning work shop if you wish please view my facebook page cm autos for customer feedback
TERANCE, LEICESTERSHIRE • 1st March 2020
Kia Carens • Cylinder head gasket replacement
Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Kidderminster
Read our answers to questions about head gasket repair costs, symptoms and more.
What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Kidderminster involve?
There are differences between engines on the exact process and components, but the typical engine will require most of the following basics to be done
- Mechanic will check that the head gasket is faulty.
- The engine will be drained of oil and coolant.
- Components will be removed to allow access to the rocker cover and ultimately, the cylinder head bolts.
- The engine timing will be locked in place using specifically designed pins and locking tools.
- The timing belt will be removed, or the timing chain loosened off and moved off the camshaft sprockets.
- The cylinder head will then be undone in a specific sequence.
- Once all the bolts are out, the cylinder head will be removed and the surface of the engine block and cylinder head will be cleaned of all residue of the old gasket.
- In the case of the majority of cylinder heads, it will need to be pressure tested to ensure it’s structure is sound and then go through a process called skimming. This process ensures that the surface that the new gasket will come into contact with is perfectly flat and clean.
- Once the mechanic has completed the work on the components, the engine is reassembled with a new cylinder head gasket.
- If the engine’s camshaft(s) are driven by a timing belt, this belt will be renewed along with a new water pump if it is on the timing belt circuit.
- Once the engine is back together, the cooling system will be refilled and the oil replenished along with a new filter.
- If the oil has become contaminated with the coolant, an additional oil flush may be required and likewise, if the cooling system has become contaminated, the cooling system will be flushed.
- Once everything is back together, the mechanic will run the engine.
- Finally a road test will ensure that everything works as it should when the engine comes up to temperature and finally any error codes present will be cleared down and re-checked.
As we mentioned previously, this is not a full exhaustive list of what will be done as each engine has its own requirements.
What are the symptoms of a blown head gasket?
In most cases the symptoms of a cylinder head gasket are pretty apparent, some however take a little know how and some tools to confirm. Typical symptoms though are;
- A cream-like colour and consistency in the oil (usually seen on the engine oil dipstick) or in the cooling system header tank.
- Coolant overflowing out of the cooling system header tank.
- An unexplained loss of coolant.
- Difficulty in starting the engine.
- Evidence of exhaust gasses in the cooling system.
- Poor engine compression.
How long does it take to change a head gasket?
The time it takes to carry out a head gasket replacement can range from 5 hours to more than a day. Ultimately, the time that the job will take will depend on a number of factors, like your vehicle's make and model, year, type of engine, as well as other factors. Select your car at the top of this page for information on job time and cost for your vehicle through ClickMechanic.
How much does it cost to replace a head gasket in Kidderminster?
On average, a typical head gasket repair costs £400, with prices ranging from £280 to over £1000. Ultimately, the cost of a cylinder head gasket replacement depends on your car and what parts your car's manufacturer recommends using for the replacement. Find out what you could save by having your cylinder head gasket replaced by ClickMechanic by selecting your car at the top of this page!
One final note, if you are comparing quotations, please ensure that the quotes you have included the cylinder head pressure test and skimming. Not all companies will include this up front, they will add it to the bill after advising you that it needs to be done once they have commenced the work.
How do I prevent head gasket problems?
To help prevent head gasket issues:
* Regularly check and top up the coolant level as required
* Follow the manufacturere recommended service schedule
* Inspect the engine regularly for leaks, to spot any issues early. If you see any, have them repaired as soon as possible.
Is a faulty head gasket an MOT failure?
Since the head gasket is not checked during an MOT test, it is likely that a faulty head gasket will pass an MOT. However, keep in mind that a faulty head gasket can cause problems with emissions - which is a critical point on the MOT checklist!
What are the symptoms of a bad cylinder?
Common signs of a bad cylinder include:
* Loss of power
* Poor engine performance
* Coolant leaking
* Overheating of the engine
* Smoke (from tailpipe or from cylinder head itself)
How much does it cost to repair a blown gasket in Kidderminster?
Repairing a head gasket can cost anywhere from £500 to over £2000 depending on the make and model of the car. Most of the cost is attributed to labour as the process can take 8-10 hours as it requires the mechanic to disassemble the top of the engine, and in some cases may have to remove the engine from the car.
What are the first signs of a blown head gasket?
The first signs of a blown head gasket are usually:
- Steam and/or water coming from the tailpipe
- Overheating
- White smoke coming from the tailpipe
- Loss of power
Can Kidderminster garages offer home collection and delivery for head gasket repair?
Yes, many garages in Kidderminster are able to offer collection and delivery for a head gasket repair. With ClickMechanic collection & delivery is free if your vehicle is drivable. Once booked a mechanic will pick up the vehicle on the day and time of your choice, do the work, and return the vehicle at a time convenient to you. Simply enter your vehicle registration number and postcode to get an upfront price for a head gasket repair in Kidderminster.
Can Kidderminster mobile mechanics do head gasket repair at my home or office?
Typically no, Kidderminster mobile mechanics cannot do a head gasket repair at your home or office, because the repair may need to be carried out on a ramp, and may need specialist equipment. Also, the time involved to carry out the work may make it more practical to carry out the work at a garage. However, if there are still some doubts as to what repair is needed, mobile mechanics may be able to carry out a diagnostic inspection at your home or office and then take the car to a garage to carry out the head gasket repair.
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