Head Gasket repair & replacement in Dover made easy

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Expert Local Mechanics

12

Total expert head gasket repair mechanics operating in Dover

Number of Ratings

10

Total number of head gasket repair reviews in Dover

Average Rating

Average user rating for head gasket repair bookings in Dover

Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Dover

31 Reviews

Garage in Canterbury, 38 years of experience

Hi, my name is Adrian and I am a fully qualified Master Technician who has been working in the motor industry for the last 36 years. I come from a main dealer background and have previously worked in Renaul...

25 Reviews

Garage in Rayleigh , 24 years of experience

I am a friendly and professional mechanic with 21 years of motor repair experience working for various motor repair companies. Some of the repairs I offer include cylinder head replacements, clutch replaceme...

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...

16 Reviews

Garage in Dartford, 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. ...

59 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Rainham, 7 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...

47 Reviews

Garage in Polegate, 35 years of experience

I worked in my own garage for for a number of years in Peckham back in the 80's in order to gain experience of the motor trade. In 1988 I opened my own garage called Vauxford MOT Centre Ltd in London and r...

6 Reviews

Garage in Romford, 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...

987 Reviews

Garage in Enfield, 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...

2 Reviews

Garage in Dover, 21 years of experience

At a very young age I was always playing with cars and racing cars. At 15 I started work in a garage to which I completed my apprenticeship. After this I worked for a vehicle breakers for a little while. I t...

61 Reviews

Garage serving Dover, 8 years of experience

I have over 8 years experience working on all types of vehicles from super cars to everyday run arounds. Highly competent and extremely knowledgeable, I have a passion for vehicles and how they work. With an...

12 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Dover, 5 years of experience

Mobile Mechanic Near Me offers convenient and reliable solutions to keep your vehicle running smoothly without the hassle of visiting a traditional auto shop.

186 Reviews

Garage serving Dover, 20 years of experience

Full range of mechanical work including full diagnostic equipment, service and repair, welding, mot prep, car delivery

155 Reviews

Garage serving Dover, 21 years of experience

Feb 2018-Present: Mercedes-Benz Sparshatts, Commercials, Sittingbourne, Kent - Light Commercial Vehicle / Heavy Goods Vehicle Technician. Aug 2016-Jan 2018: Geoff Fisher Transport Ltd - HGV Technician. No...

283 Reviews

Garage serving Dover, 27 years of experience

Our team of hard working mechanics have many years of experience in the motor industry - this means that your vehicle will be left in good hands at our garage. We have excellent facilities that have the late...

30 Reviews

Garage serving Dover, 10 years of experience

The business is well established as it has been around for 36 years. Samantha Dunlop took over in 2018. The business offers a 4 Ramp workshop catering for all makes/models & repairs and we are a VOSA approv...

Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Dover

Read our answers to questions about head gasket repair costs, symptoms and more.

What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Dover 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 Dover?

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 Dover?

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 Dover garages offer home collection and delivery for head gasket repair?

Yes, many garages in Dover 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 Dover.

Can Dover mobile mechanics do head gasket repair at my home or office?

Typically no, Dover 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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