Top Mechanics For Volkswagen Head Gasket Repair & Replacements

1166 Reviews

Garage in Enfield, 36 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...
KOMAL • 16th August 2019

76 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Crediton, 10 years of experience
I began my career with a Hyundai main dealer in Exeter where I spent 3 years which included my apprenticeship. The dealership went into receivership & I moved to Exeter Gearbox Centre for 10 months before m...
JODY • 18th November 2018
Volkswagen Transporter • Cylinder head gasket replacement

272 Reviews

Garage in Sale, 12 years of experience
I started off my career at a local independent garage where I stayed for 5 years. This was a VW, Audi specialist, which really gave me some in-depth knowledge on these vehicles. Following this I then went on...

39 Reviews

Garage in Coventry, 10 years of experience
Hello, my name is Tas. I opened up my own garage early this year after gaining years of experience and having a long history of working within main dealers and well known body shops in the past I decided ...
CHRIS • 10th April 2025
Ford S-MAX • Rear washer jet replacement

85 Reviews

Garage in Leicestershire , 22 years of experience
Mot tester/ mechanic with over 22 years experience own tools diagnostics equipment recovery truck. Love what I do, passionate.

147 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Irmingham, 6 years of experience
Experienced mobile mechanic. Offering professional, reliable, and convenient car repair solutions brought directly to your location. Trusted for quality workmanship and customer satisfaction.

73 Reviews

Garage in Wishaw, 13 years of experience
Extensive Time With VW/Audi Group Vehicles Previously Worked On Mercedes Commercial, Renault, Fiat, Ford, BMW, Mini, Maserati & Lotus

27 Reviews

Garage in Bristol, 10 years of experience
The MOT Station has been around for 10 years but has had a name change but still offers the same great service and is ran by Simon Trotman, The MOT Station offers full workshop facilities with a 3 ramp work...
JULIE • 9th April 2025
MINI Mini Countryman • Clutch replacement

115 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Leighton Buzzard, 16 years of experience
Worked on cars since i left college worked in most of my local garages up until Covid when I got laid off so did the best decision in my life and became a mobile mechanic and things have great since so looki...

8 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Shrewsbury, 10 years of experience
Trained in a busy independent workshop, I have since had experience working in Audi main dealer, aswell as senior technician at HiQ and 3 years working in Australia and NZ. I am now run my own business...

638 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in London, 9 years of experience
3 years at AVS where I started my mechanics as an apprentice, mastering general repairs and servicing on a wide range of vehicles , 2 years as a fast fitter in car giant. Perfecting replacing brakes, tyres ...
JON • 9th April 2025
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque • Brake discs and pads replacement - front (both)

60 Reviews

Garage in Chesterfield, 10 years of experience
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6 Reviews

Garage in Preston, 7 years of experience
Volvo Fiat Alfa Jeep Dealer Technician - 5 Years VW Audi Seat Skoda Dealer Technician - 2 Years
JEAN • 9th April 2025
Ford Fiesta • Interim Service

26 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Wolverhampton, 5 years of experience
Have been working at car dismantling for more than 5 years. Have experience with Jaguar Land Rover more than 3 years, and 2 years mixed BMW, Audi, Mercedes... Have experience with diagnostic tools like Launc...
CONRAD • 9th April 2025
Land Rover Range Rover Evoque • Timing belt replacement

156 Reviews

Garage in England , 18 years of experience
I started my journey into the motor trade 18years ago as a IMI apprentice and working my way up to gain level 3 in BTech then going off to university to study Motor sport engineering. I worked in Main dealer...
BECKY • 9th April 2025
Kia Sportage • Brake discs and pads replacement - rear (both)
Frequently asked questions about Volkswagen head gasket repair & replacements
Read our answers to questions about head gasket repair costs, symptoms and more.
What does a cylinder head gasket replacement on my Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 on my Volkswagen?
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 often should you replace my Volkswagen head gasket?
As soon as the efficiency of the cylinder head gasket is compromised, the gasket needs to be replaced prior to the engine being used again.
If the oil and coolant has mixed, the lubricating quality of the oil is non existent and its ability to preserve the internal parts of the engine is lost. Continuing to run the engine will ultimately end in severed damage to it. The same goes for the cooling system, with the water channels and radiators becoming blocked. If the coolant is being lost, the engine will overheat. This is not good for the metal components of the engine and the aluminium cylinder head could be damaged beyond repair.
How common is a cylinder head gasket replacement on my Volkswagen?
Whilst cylinder head gasket replacement is not as common as it was 20 or so years ago, it still occurs. Certain engines are prone to it happening and the use of smaller engines with turbochargers puts increased pressure on the gaskets.
How do I prevent Volkswagen 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.
What are the symptoms of a bad Volkswagen 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)
Is it worth fixing a blown Volkswagen head gasket?
While the cost of the head gasket might not be much, the work involved to fix or replace it requires a lot of time and effort which is why the cost can be quite expensive. Whether it is worth replacing or not depends on the value of the vehicle. If the vehicle is old and the cost of the replacing the head gasket is more than the value of the car then it's best to sell or scrap the car.
How much does it cost to repair a blown gasket on Volkswagen?
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 Volkswagen 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 local garages offer home collection and delivery for Volkswagen head gasket repair?
Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a head gasket repair on your Volkswagen. 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 on your Volkswagen.
Can mobile mechanics do Volkswagen head gasket repair at my home or office?
Typically no, mobile mechanics cannot do a head gasket repair at your home or office on your Volkswagen, 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 on your Volkswagen and then take the car to a garage to carry out the head gasket repair.
How much does a Volkswagen head gasket repair cost?
The cost for a Volkswagen head gasket repair depends on the model of your Volkswagen. See the averages for different models below. We use industry standard data & millions of data points so you know what you should be paying.
No parts included in these estimates.
Name | Average Cost | |
---|---|---|
Volkswagen Amarok | £828 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Beetle | £568 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Bora | £470 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Caddy | £554 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi | £777 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Sportline | £784 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Caddy Sportline | £784 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Caravelle | £736 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen CC | £690 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Corrado | £545 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Crafter | £853 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Eos | £625 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Fox | £505 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Golf | £672 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Golf Plus | £680 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Jetta | £692 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen LT | £610 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Lupo | £456 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Passat | £762 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Passat CC | £619 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Phaeton | £1026 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Polo | £513 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Scirocco | £672 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Sharan | £621 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Tiguan | £687 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Touareg | £1067 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Touran | £690 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Transporter | £588 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle | £644 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen up! | £493 | Get exact price |
Volkswagen Vento | £423 | Get exact price |
Estimates on average repair costs, such as the above results for a head gasket repair, are based on ClickMechanic's quote data which combines multiple third-party sources. Actual costs may vary. We provide estimates on average repair costs for information only and accept no liability for any inaccuracies or errors. If you think an estimate is incorrect, please contact us to let us know.
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Mechanics that work on Volkswagens
- BSRC Limited, Leytonstone
- Boni's, Sunbury-On-Thames
- Fleet Services, Worcester
- Lees Automotive, Buntingford
- Mcw Auto's, Birmingham
- Nah Vehicle Inspections, Cullingworth