Head Gasket repair & replacement in Kilmarnock made easy

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Expert Local Mechanics

5

Total expert head gasket repair mechanics operating in Kilmarnock

Number of Ratings

8

Total number of head gasket repair reviews in Kilmarnock

Average Rating

Average user rating for head gasket repair bookings in Kilmarnock

Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Kilmarnock

48 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 18 years of experience

Renault and Nissan trained Spent last 8 years at Ford as a senior tech and commercial specialist all jobs undertaking inc welding and Bodyshop Diagnostic specialist over 18 years experience Cover a v...

48 Reviews

Garage in Glasgow, 24 years of experience

Braehead MOT Centre was taken over in September 2018 by James Trotter who has over 24 years experience in the trade through independent experience. Braehead MOT Centre now operates a 3 ramp workshop catering...

47 Reviews

Garage in Glasgow , 19 years of experience

Started my career at the main dealership working on Peugeot/Citroen with my NVQ level 3 in light vehicle maintenance and repair which I completed then moved my way through the ranks to master technician leve...

8 Reviews

Garage in Edinburgh, 20 years of experience

Established in 2008, we are an Independent Renault specialist who has over 30 years’ experience in the motor trade industry. Rentec Autocare are a new breed of car repair garage, our aim is to provide main...

141 Reviews

Garage in Kilmarnock, 11 years of experience

Motormall, Jersey. Vag Group/vauxhall Diagnostic Technician Mcevoy Engineering Limited, Stevenson. Storeman/Semi Skilled Labourer Prestwick Airport Maintenance, Ryanair (PAM) Aircraft Maintenance Assis...

291 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Kilmarnock, 15 years of experience

Welcome to SAS STEERING ALIGNMENT SERVICES. www.sasalignment.com We will endeavour to get you back on the road as quickly as possible. We are a mobile service covering Scotland . I set-up my own b...

48 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Kilmarnock, 7 years of experience

An exciting new company established in Dec 2022 specialising in mobile mechanics. The hassle of dropping your car off and picking your car up from a garage is over. We cover a several areas those being, Ayrs...

14 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 27 years of experience

Car Servicing Ayr offers everything you need from a modern state-of-the art workshop - with transparent charges and excellent customer service at the heart of everything we do. Our team of dedicated service ...

266 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 10 years of experience

I have been in the trade for over 10 years as a mechanic, working in franchise dealerships & performance targeted garages Including repair of emergency response vehicles. Specialist in all make/model servici...

4 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 21 years of experience

Having been based at Thistle Business Park, Ayr Road, Cumnock for 2 years, we have built a good reputation and gained repeat customers. With over 20 years of experience in the mechanical repairs and mainten...

161 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 10 years of experience

Self employed mechanic covering a large area of central Scotland. No job to big or small.

97 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 21 years of experience

***WE NOW OFFER MOT'S + TYRES AND TYRE REPAIR*** MSR Scotland is a family run business . We are dedicated to customer service, response time and workmanship. With over 20 years experience in all the automot...

42 Reviews

Garage serving Kilmarnock, 20 years of experience

I’ve been a mechanic of 20 years since leaving school and I thrive on cars it’s not only my work but my hobby, I enjoy everything about vehicles and followed the footsteps of my family, all of which there is...

Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Kilmarnock

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

What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock?

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 Kilmarnock?

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

Yes, many garages in Kilmarnock 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 Kilmarnock.

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

Typically no, Kilmarnock 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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