Head Gasket repair & replacement in Lowestoft made easy

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Expert Local Mechanics

12

Total expert head gasket repair mechanics operating in Lowestoft

Number of Ratings

12

Total number of head gasket repair reviews in Lowestoft

Average Rating

Average user rating for head gasket repair bookings in Lowestoft

Top Mechanics For Head Gasket Repair & Replacements in Lowestoft

198 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 26 years of experience

I started my career with a tyre business called Hemel First Choice Tyres in Hemel Hempstead for 5 years. I set up my own tyre business within Bury Road Garage in Hemel Hempstead for around a year. I moved to...

13 Reviews

Garage in Lowestoft, 10 years of experience

Here at Pizzeys autos and Recovery we have over 10 years experience in the Motor Trade. Here are some of the jobs we do: Servicing, Brakes, Clutches, Suspension components, Engine Repairs, Exhausts, Wheel ...

223 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Lowestoft, 30 years of experience

I began my career in Chadwell Heath at a garage called High road Station which is where I completed my apprenticeship. I was with the business for around 6 years, I moved to Wallinghurst Garage in Billericay...

16 Reviews

Garage in Lowestoft, 20 years of experience

Here at MOTOMED we treat your car like it’s our very own. Our team of professionals use only the highest quality products. We only fix what needs to be fixed, and we guarantee each and every repair. When we ...

215 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 22 years of experience

I have been involved in cars as a designer, engineer and technician for over 22years. I have designed, developed and built bespoke sports cars, motorbikes, Ambulances and race car trailers over these year...

13 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Lowestoft, 20 years of experience

I started my apprenticeship when I was 16 years old for a Volkswagen dealership. I was there for 10 years. Then I moved on and went onto gearbox reconditioning which I was there for another five years, then ...

10 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 13 years of experience

We have over 13 years of experience working in vehicle repairs. We take care of everything from MOTs and routine services through to clutches, suspension, to engine rebuilds, you can rest assured that you'll...

5 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 11 years of experience

Master technician Kia Ev hybrid vehicle trained PARAGON AUTOMOTIVE mobile mechanic covering all areas of Norfolk and Suffolk all repairs carried out

20 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Lowestoft, 5 years of experience

Honda Main Dealer Peugeot/Citroen Main Dealer 5 years experience in this trade so far, happy to help and solve any issues. Check out my Facebook page - HM Automotive Repair

26 Reviews

Mobile mechanic serving Lowestoft, 10 years of experience

Worked for small independent garage 2004-2007 then set up my own garage in 2008-2012 which was unfortunately closed due to uninsured break in resulting in the loss of my tools. Worked for an engineering comp...

61 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 15 years of experience

Select A Driver Ltd. - Automotive Repair is a small team of mobile mechanics, with loads of experience and knowledge to keep you on the road, with the added benefit of not taking you car to a garage. We will...

MARTIN, Suffolk 2nd March 2024

Mercedes-Benz E-Class • Additional work following previous booking

15 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 17 years of experience

At Hamilton Automotive our mechanics have a wide range of experience and are fully qualified to the highest industry standards. We cater for all makes and models of car and light commercial vehicle. Howe...

20 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 23 years of experience

I am a fully qualified motor vehicle mechanic with independent and main dealer Experience. I have premises to work from in the Cromer area and cover all makes and models. I can also do some mobile work at y...

15 Reviews

Garage serving Lowestoft, 15 years of experience

Norwich Autoworks, MOT & Service Centre Bosch Car Service 01603 487322 info@nowichautoworks.com www.norwichautoworks.com

Frequently asked questions about head gasket repair & replacements in Lowestoft

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

What does a cylinder head gasket replacement in Lowestoft 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 Lowestoft?

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 Lowestoft?

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

Yes, many garages in Lowestoft 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 Lowestoft.

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

Typically no, Lowestoft 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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