Mini Head Gasket repair made easy

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Expert Mini Mechanics

48

Total expert Mini head gasket repair mechanics

Number of Ratings

15

Total number of head gasket repair reviews for Mini bookings

Average Rating

Average user rating for Mini head gasket repair bookings

Top Mechanics For Mini Head Gasket Repair & Replacements

13 Reviews

Garage in Washington, 17 years of experience

Level 3 NVQ qualified. We have the capacity to carry out all types of work on your vehicle, including diagnostics, servicing, general repairs, engine repairs, clutches, turbochargers, timing belts/chains.

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...

204 Reviews

Garage in Worksop , 10 years of experience

we are a family run business specialising in complex diagnostics issues and emissions problems including dpf filters we also have a fully equipped workshop to carry out general repairs and maintenance we are...

27 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Telford, 19 years of experience

I carried out my apprenticeship at an independent Land Rover specialist before moving on to work in a main dealer garage. I then worked with a private company running and maintaining a fleet of vehicles. ...

16 Reviews

Garage in Thornton, 20 years of experience

Thonton Autos, is on Water Street, Thornton, behind the new Tescos Express. At our Garage we aim to give our customers the satisfaction that any work done has been carried out professionally, in a reasonable...

3 Reviews

Garage in Barham, 10 years of experience

24hr recovery & transport services Repairs maintenance and servicing Welding Mot repairs Clutches

68 Reviews

Garage in Derby, 15 years of experience

Servicing and repairs to all makes and models. MOT failures. Breakdown and battery assistance. Diagnostics. Friendly service

1119 Reviews

Garage in Ilford, 30 years of experience

Hi, I’ve been a mechanic since leaving school and have owned and operated my own garage since I was 25 , were you could that I’ve done most jobs on a wide range of vehicles. I’d like to say that my workmans...

30 Reviews

Garage in Chesterfield, 10 years of experience

Started as a trainee at large independent garage/ transport company, working on everything from motorcycles and cars to HGV, trailers and forklifts, then moved on to PSV repair and maintenance for a couple o...

46 Reviews

Garage in Solihull, 25 years of experience

Hi I’m Simon. I have 25 years experience in the motor trade in both electrical and mechanical jobs. I use the latest Autel scan tool and will always provide a full vehicle scan health check with an emailed ...

130 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Essex , 32 years of experience

Worked at at Bmw and Ford Specialist on Fords and BMW Diagnostics specialist Worked at Met Police Workshop Fully Qualified Electric Vehiicle Technician MOT tester

4 Reviews

Garage in Harlesden, 11 years of experience

Full time Mobile Mechanic and MOT Tester with 11 years trade experience centred in West London. Noteable Garages I have worked for or collaborate with include: Mr Clutch Autocentres Citygate Volkswagen ...

3 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Milton Keynes , 12 years of experience

We can carry out all types of repairs no jobs too big or too small

21 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Leicester , 5 years of experience

I have worked in various garage across Loughborough. But always knew I was destined to work for myself. So here we are.

Frequently asked questions about Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini?

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 Mini 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 Mini?

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 Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini 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 Mini?

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 Mini 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 Mini head gasket repair?

Yes, many local garages are able to offer collection and delivery for a head gasket repair on your Mini. 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 Mini.

Can mobile mechanics do Mini 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 Mini, 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 Mini and then take the car to a garage to carry out the head gasket repair.

How much does a Mini head gasket repair cost?

The cost for a Mini head gasket repair depends on the model of your Mini. 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
MINI Mini £745 Get exact price
MINI Mini Clubman £776 Get exact price
MINI Mini Countryman £722 Get exact price
MINI Mini Coupe £827 Get exact price
MINI Mini Paceman £677 Get exact price
MINI Mini Roadster £742 Get exact price

Average costs for 1 model not shown due to insufficient data. Show ∨

  • MINI Mini Clubvan

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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