Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Sunderland
13 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 17 years of experience
Level 3 NVQ qualified. We have the capacity to carry out all types of work on your vehicle, including diagnostics, servicing, general repairs, engine repairs, clutches, turbochargers, timing belts/chains.
MICHAEL, Gateshead • 21st March 2024
197 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 40 years of experience
I completed my apprenticeship in the family business in Cumbria back in 1974 and worked in the business right up until 2002 in various roles such as heavy goods driver, I also became a partner in the busines...
PAUL, CLEVELAND • 26th October 2017
115 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Skinningrove, 30 years of experience
.30 years experience in the industry carrying out repairs to most makes of vehicles to a high standard, using the experience gained & up-to-date equipment we now specialise in the diagnostics aspect of the c...
ASIF, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE • 28th December 2016
Skoda Superb • Cylinder head gasket replacement
40 Reviews
Garage in Brompton, 22 years of experience
I have been in the trade for in excess of 20 years. I began by studying at college and I also gained my level 1 qualification in fast fit tyre and exhaust. I moved to work in an MOT bay as trainee and gaine...
LEE, THIRSK • 18th April 2017
35 Reviews
Garage in Sunderland, 10 years of experience
With Over 10 years experience as a motor vehicle mechanic running an independent garage fixing a range of motor vehicles from diagnosis to repairs.
CESAR, SOUTH SHIELDS • 16th December 2023
Ford Fiesta • Cylinder head gasket replacement
6 Reviews
Garage in Sunderland, 25 years of experience
Our technicians and myself have over 30 years combined experience within the motor trade, throughout this time we have worked on vehicles carrying out routine maintenance and vehicle repairs from brake pads...
JOHN, SUNDERLAND • 25th September 2021
18 Reviews
Garage in Sunderland, 35 years of experience
I have been in the trade for 30 years and have worked for myself for that time and built up my knowledge doing all types of repairs on all makes/models, as a business however we are not keen on injectors/fu...
76 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 20 years of experience
Welcome to Miah Automotive, where automotive excellence meets dedicated service. Our skilled technicians bring years of expertise to every job, ensuring your vehicle receives the care it deserves. From routi...
WILLIAM, Tyne And Wear • 26th October 2024
Vauxhall Mokka • Glow plugs replacement (all)
56 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Sunderland, 9 years of experience
BMW Mini Rolls Royce Independent BMW group dealer level diagnostics and able to write official BMW service history. BMW Master Tech ZF Gearbox Specialist Diagnostics; Smoke Tests ISTA (BMW GROUP...
DARREN, Sunderland • 14th October 2024
Ford Focus • Full Service
16 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 10 years of experience
We specialise in both mobile mechanical and workshop jobs. Some jobs are able to be completed/diagnosed from the comfort of your home, others we offer a pickup & drop off service to leave you hassle free whi...
116 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Sunderland, 5 years of experience
I began my career in mechanics as an apprentice at a used car dealership giving me great experience working on a wide range of cars and vans then moved onto a local mot centre , now I have begun my own ventu...
9 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 20 years of experience
**Urban Autocare – Your Trusted Vehicle Experts** **Is your car in need of top-notch care? Urban Autocare is here for you!** At **Urban Autocare**, we provide expert vehicle services to keep your car p...
ILIA, Sunderland • 6th September 2024
Volkswagen Passat • Alternator replacement
77 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 30 years of experience
I served my time at bds motors whilst attending college I have worked for numerous garages and had my own business for 8 year before starting work in a management role for great north auto centre and I am n...
65 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Sunderland, 25 years of experience
20yrs working in independent garages on all makes and models, 5 years working Seat and MG dealer franchise's
39 Reviews
Garage serving Sunderland, 16 years of experience
With over 15 years of experience – from simple oil changes to complex engine repairs. One of the main benefits of using collection services for car repairs is convenience. These services offer car ow...
ADAM, Sunderland • 2nd February 2024
Audi A4 Avant • Brake caliper replacement - front (passenger side)
Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Sunderland
Read our answers to questions about head gasket repair costs, symptoms and more.
What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Sunderland 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 Sunderland?
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 Sunderland?
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 Sunderland garages offer home collection and delivery for head gasket repair?
Yes, many garages in Sunderland 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 Sunderland.
Can Sunderland mobile mechanics do head gasket repair at my home or office?
Typically no, Sunderland 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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Mechanics in and around Sunderland
- 123 MOT, Gateshead
- AUTOTEC NE, Sunderland
- Adairs Auto Service, Chester Le Street
- Motorfreakz, Sunderland
- Nattrav Ltd TA WILSON'S AUTO SERVICE CENTRE, Jarrow
- Owens Auto Services, Washington
- PREMIER VEHICLE CARE LTD, Newcastle Upon Tyne
- Parker Automotive Remaps, Wallsend Tyne And Wear
- Paul Buckton, Wallsend
- Sergejus Kvasys - Is Installations, Seaham
- South Hylton Garage, Sunderland
- Spanner Monkeys NE Limited, Newcastle Upon Tyne