Head Gasket repair & replacement in Downpatrick made easy

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Expert Local Mechanics

2

Total expert head gasket repair mechanics operating in Downpatrick

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1

Total number of head gasket repair reviews in Downpatrick

Average Rating

Average user rating for head gasket repair bookings in Downpatrick

Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Downpatrick

4 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Downpatrick, 10 years of experience

here at sparkys mechanical services, we go above and beyond for our customers, we strive on customer satisfaction, our vans are our workshop, we care all the relevant tools onboard to get our customers cars ...

45 Reviews

Garage serving Downpatrick, 18 years of experience

I began my career with Renault in Belfast where I completed my apprenticeship & was here for around 3 years. I went on to work in main dealerships to gain experience of other makes/models and worked with bra...

12 Reviews

Garage serving Downpatrick, 14 years of experience

Peugeot for 9years Receiving the top award of peugeot master technician Donnelly group 5years 11months This is me looking to build on my aready steady work load and expand my customer base I work...

6 Reviews

Garage serving Downpatrick, 17 years of experience

Michael is a Mobile Mechanic in Northern Ireland and is well established for over 17 years. He covers a 15 mile radius and works on all makes and models and has garage space if needed.

4 Reviews

Garage serving Downpatrick, 10 years of experience

Mechanic based in Northern Ireland - We offer all types of repairs and services both mobile and garage. We do free collection and delivery where the vehicle is driveable and we also have recovery services. M...

24 Reviews

Garage in Lisburn , 21 years of experience

Fully qualified motor technician started training in local garage working on all vehicles, have progressed through to full dealership trained technician Jaguar, Landrover trained all vehicles repaired and ca...

45 Reviews

Garage in Belfast, 20 years of experience

We have 3 mechanics and a Fully Qualified Auto Spark based at our Salisbury Avenue workshop with over 25 years experience, we cover all makes and models from headlight alignment to gearbox Repair's, and ever...

59 Reviews

Garage in Belfast Bt127bn , 18 years of experience

Worked in motor industry for 17 years, have both dealership and independent garage experience. Specialise in Peugeot and Citroens. Can work at cars, small vans and motorcycles

12 Reviews

Garage in Lisburn, 8 years of experience

The garage My Mechanic has been operating since 2014, offering full garage services covering all makes/models & working on all repairs, and the garage also offers a free collection/delivery service within a ...

5 Reviews

Garage in Newry, 20 years of experience

I began my career in a local garage in Hilltown where I was for 4 years. I moved to work with a Vauxhall dealership in Dundalk for 5 years to get more dealer specific experience. In 2005 I set-up my own busi...

2 Reviews

Garage in Belfast, 21 years of experience

Gary Devenny set-up Colinglen Auto repairs in June 2016, the business operates a 3 ramp workshop and also carry out MOT preparation. Gary the owner served his time in Charles Hurst Renault for 6 years, Bava...

4 Reviews

Garage in Belfast, 5 years of experience

We offer multiple services related to new tyres, part worn tyres as well as puncture repairing and wheel balancing.

4 Reviews

Garage in Newtownabbey, 15 years of experience

Car Repairs NI operate a 2 ramp workshop based in Newtonabbey. We offer repairs for all makes & models and we also have a full body repair shop on site for all body repair requirements. Whether you require a...

Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Downpatrick

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

What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Downpatrick 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 Downpatrick?

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 Downpatrick?

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

Yes, many garages in Downpatrick 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 Downpatrick.

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

Typically no, Downpatrick 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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