Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Waltham Abbey
516 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 15 years of experience
I have been interested in the car repair industry for almost my entire life. The first few years were spent learning the trade and I went to college to study it properly. I worked at a garage as a BMW specia...
TONY, Enfield • 4th February 2022
1083 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 30 years of experience
We provide MOT tests, servicing and car repairs on all makes and models in Enfield and surrounding areas. Catering for customers in Enfield, Cheshunt, Barnet and Southgate, we offer quality car servicing and...
84 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 29 years of experience
Marathon Motors has been going over 20 years and counting! We originally had a base in Watford and recently moved to new premises! Marathon Motors became Ltd in July 2017 and Aston Clarke joined the business...
6 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 7 years of experience
Established in 2008 with over 7 years of experience, Platinum Motors is a well-known, locally run business based in Romford. We pride ourselves on providing an honest and reliable service throughout the loca...
ABIGAIL, Dagenham • 29th October 2018
Ford Fiesta • Cylinder head gasket replacement
614 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 45 years of experience
I started out in a VW franchise dealer in 1997 undertaking my apprenticeship. Having spent 4 years there I moved onto a more senior role at another VW franchise dealership where I spent another 3 years. Foll...
LEANNE, Hertfordshire • 21st December 2015
328 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 25 years of experience
DK Autos specialise in all aspects of vehicle repairs, servicing and MOT's, with 24hour recovery breakdown service. We offer a vehicle collection and return service for all of our customers. We appreciate ...
59 Reviews
Mobile mechanic serving Waltham Abbey, 13 years of experience
Studied in Pakistan, in the UAE I managed heavy oil equipment for 10 years. I decided to move after the global recession. Moved to London for work, employed by a small garage called Idealengines. I worked f...
RUSSELL, Bexley • 22nd May 2015
18 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 15 years of experience
VIMS AUTO REPAIR LTD is a family-run garage based in Dartford, Kent. All of our technicians and mechanics have many years of hands on experience in the industry as well as being fully trained and qualified. ...
ANKUR, DARTFORD • 12th June 2018
29 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 9 years of experience
I have worked for more than 5 years at BMW in the German city of Stuttgart, and at Mercedes for more than 4 years, and I am proud of them and the experience they gave me in the field of car repair and engine...
ROBERT, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD • 15th September 2024
721 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 30 years of experience
We are a group of skill full and highly qualified technicians based in West London and we have been running a successful mechanic & mobile repair business. Have a good client base and we specialise in comi...
ADRIAN, New Malden • 15th June 2023
Audi TT Coupe • Cylinder head gasket replacement
19 Reviews
Garage serving Waltham Abbey, 7 years of experience
I completed my apprenticeship at John Deere before moving to the National College of Motorsport. I have worked for top professional racing teams running cars in f3, British touring car and endurance racing. ...
KARL, Aldershot • 19th October 2019
BMW 3 Series • Cylinder head gasket replacement
22 Reviews
Garage in Northolt, London, 7 years of experience
Diagnostic Diagnostic + Health Check Oil and Filter Change Full Service Brake pads Brake Disc Rear Brake Shoes AC Refill Radiators Change Suspension Manual Transmission Oil Automatic Trans...
ANGEL, London • 8th February 2022
50 Reviews
Garage in Hounslow, 25 years of experience
My name is Stuart Lucas I have been trading as RS Autos for over 3 years (since 2015) after successfully running several garages over the last 20 years, I decided to go out on my own as I am a qualified mech...
55 Reviews
Garage in Surrey, 7 years of experience
Based in South London. Full Diagnostic, programming, coding, servicing, repairs on all makes. <a href='https://www.clickmechanic.com/' title='ClickMechanic'><img width='250' src='https://badges.clickme...
14 Reviews
Garage in Tilbury, 11 years of experience
We are a relatively young company based in Tilbury, Essex. We began repairing Volvo electronic modules back in 2009. For the last decade company was mainly working on remanufacturing automotive electronic...
TERRY, Gravesend • 13th February 2020
Ford Mondeo • Cylinder head gasket replacement
Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Waltham Abbey
Read our answers to questions about head gasket repair costs, symptoms and more.
What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Waltham Abbey 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 Waltham Abbey?
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 Waltham Abbey?
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 Waltham Abbey garages offer home collection and delivery for head gasket repair?
Yes, many garages in Waltham Abbey 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 Waltham Abbey.
Can Waltham Abbey mobile mechanics do head gasket repair at my home or office?
Typically no, Waltham Abbey 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 Waltham Abbey
- 24hr Solutions, Ware
- A1 MOTOR MEDICS, Whaltham Cross
- A1 Tyres And Fuel Ltd, Ilford
- Alex Motor Repair Ltd, Enfield
- All Car Care, Broxbourne
- Armz Motors, London
- Auto Mot Centre Ltd, Manor Park
- Ayaz Mot Centre, Enfield
- BNT Cars Limited, Waltham Abbey
- BOSS BOSS LTD, Forest Gate London
- BSRC Limited, Leytonstone
- Best Motors Service Centre, London
- CHARLIE BROWNS MOT CENTRE T/A CHIGWELL CAR SERVICING, London
- Campbell's Mobile Mechanics, Ilford
- Claudio’s Auto Mechanic, London
- DAB AUTO WORKS, Harlow
- DENIZ AUTO REPAIRS & SERVICING, London
- Dk96 Limited, Waltham Abbey, Epping Forest
- Hifz Motors Ltd, London
- Jojocarrepairs, Wood Green
- K&T Maintenance, Walthamabby
- Mothire Ltd, London
- Motor Prestige Ltd
- Motor Trade, Leyton
- Scmechanics Ltd, Edmonton
- Shane Thomas, London
- Sphynx Vehicle Repairs, London
- Supa Tune Racing, Harlow
- T-Lane Pitstop Ltd, London
- The Car Doctors Uk Ltd, Hainault Business Park, Ilford
- WHOS JB AUTOS, Broxbourne
- Warren May, London
- Watts Automotive, London