Volkswagen Head Gasket repair made easy

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Expert Volkswagen Mechanics

43

Total expert Volkswagen head gasket repair mechanics

Number of Ratings

17

Total number of head gasket repair reviews for Volkswagen bookings

Average Rating

Average user rating for Volkswagen head gasket repair bookings

Top Mechanics For Volkswagen Head Gasket Repair & Replacements

989 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...

76 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Crediton, 10 years of experience

I began my career with a Hyundai main dealer in Exeter where I spent 3 years which included my apprenticeship. The dealership went into receivership & I moved to Exeter Gearbox Centre for 10 months before m...

269 Reviews

Garage in Sale, 12 years of experience

I started off my career at a local independent garage where I stayed for 5 years. This was a VW, Audi specialist, which really gave me some in-depth knowledge on these vehicles. Following this I then went on...

54 Reviews

Garage in Thornton Heath, 7 years of experience

Welcome to AUTO PRO, where automotive excellence meets customer satisfaction! With over 7 years of hands-on experience in the auto industry, we take pride in being your trusted partner for all things automot...

11 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in London , 10 years of experience

I have in this field from last 10 years I worked in Europe and from last 5 years I have been working in UK 🇬🇧 and I know the Japanese car and German cars

14 Reviews

Mobile mechanic in Leiston , 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 ...

STEVEN 27th March 2024

Vauxhall Corsa • Camshaft position (CMP) sensor replacement

246 Reviews

Garage in Leyton, 15 years of experience

Have 15 years of experience as an mot inspector and can check if car is road legal and safe to drive

50 Reviews

Garage in London, 15 years of experience

I have been working as mechanic from the age of 16 started apprenticeship with ford trust dealership for two years then Bmw dealership and become level 3 technician after 5 years I then joined my family b...

4 Reviews

Garage in Reading, 10 years of experience

10 Years Experience with 6 years as VW Specialist and Mobile Mechanic for the last 2 years , very Knowledgeable , self-motivated, reliable, responsible and hard working person, excellent diagnostic and probl...

16 Reviews

Garage in Wolverhampton , 20 years of experience

B. H Motors and Electrics is a mobile service that offers a wide range of motor mechanical and electrical diagnosis and repair. Please see the link below for more information about us. https://ww...

13 Reviews

Garage in Cupar, 20 years of experience

Over 20 years experience in independent garages including bodyshop mechanic and also fiat and kia main dealer carrying out all types of repairs and mot testing

267 Reviews

Garage in Aylesbury , 20 years of experience

We are a small family run business and understand how important it is for you to have a safe vehicle for you to travel to work, school and for personal reasons. We can come to you at home or work at a time ...

25 Reviews

Garage in Scunthorpe, 10 years of experience

I have been around cars since being little, I have 10+ years experience in fixing all different types of cars. I’m offering mobile appointments at a time and place that suits you. I’m honest and will always ...

39 Reviews

Garage in Andover, 15 years of experience

IVT car repair Ltd. is a place created out of passion for the automotive industry. We offer services at the highest level. We service cars of all brands. We do not have a paint shop yet, but replacing...

642 Reviews

Garage in Woking, 12 years of experience

I started my career with Kwik-Fit when I was 16 for a number of years understanding the trade. I moved to work for a few independent garages for around 4 years before working with Vauxhall for 3 years and su...

Frequently asked questions about Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen?

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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen?

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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen?

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 Volkswagen 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 Volkswagen head gasket repair?

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

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

How much does a Volkswagen head gasket repair cost?

The cost for a Volkswagen head gasket repair depends on the model of your Volkswagen. See the averages for different models below. We use industry standard data & millions of data points so you know what you should be paying.

Name Average Cost
Volkswagen Amarok £828 Get exact price
Volkswagen Beetle £568 Get exact price
Volkswagen Bora £470 Get exact price
Volkswagen Caddy £554 Get exact price
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi £777 Get exact price
Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Sportline £784 Get exact price
Volkswagen Caddy Sportline £784 Get exact price
Volkswagen Caravelle £736 Get exact price
Volkswagen CC £690 Get exact price
Volkswagen Corrado £545 Get exact price
Volkswagen Crafter £853 Get exact price
Volkswagen Eos £625 Get exact price
Volkswagen Fox £505 Get exact price
Volkswagen Golf £672 Get exact price
Volkswagen Golf Plus £680 Get exact price
Volkswagen Jetta £692 Get exact price
Volkswagen LT £610 Get exact price
Volkswagen Lupo £456 Get exact price
Volkswagen Passat £762 Get exact price
Volkswagen Passat CC £619 Get exact price
Volkswagen Phaeton £1026 Get exact price
Volkswagen Polo £513 Get exact price
Volkswagen Scirocco £672 Get exact price
Volkswagen Sharan £621 Get exact price
Volkswagen Tiguan £687 Get exact price
Volkswagen Touareg £1067 Get exact price
Volkswagen Touran £690 Get exact price
Volkswagen Transporter £588 Get exact price
Volkswagen Transporter Shuttle £644 Get exact price
Volkswagen up! £493 Get exact price
Volkswagen Vento £423 Get exact price

Average costs for 4 models not shown due to insufficient data. Show ∨

  • Volkswagen Golf SV
  • Volkswagen L 80
  • Volkswagen e-Golf VII
  • Volkswagen Passat (11-15

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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