Top Mechanics For Volkswagen Head Gasket Repair & Replacements
1003 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...
KOMAL • 16th August 2019
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...
JODY • 18th November 2018
Volkswagen Transporter • Cylinder head gasket replacement
270 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...
262 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Derby, 34 years of experience
I have worked for some of the UK’s largest names in motor vehicle repair/breakdown sector Establishing my own business in 2005 offering a professional,friendly and reliable mobile service covering most car...
CHRISTOPHER • 24th April 2024
Renault Trafic • Premium Pre-purchase Inspection
98 Reviews
Garage in Bristol, 15 years of experience
4 years at a BMW specialist and MOT centre. 5 years at a small local company with vehicle recovery work and repairs.
27 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Reading, 8 years of experience
Here at DAWA you can rest assured that you are in safe hands, we have a team with over 8 years of experience working on all make and models of car, servicing car or changing brake or changing clutches we can...
19 Reviews
Mobile mechanic in Manchester, 10 years of experience
ex ATS employ. 10 years experience no job to small or to big for me. service with i will be provide here will be : disc and pads service(oil ,full ,major ) timing belt or chain replacement do you wan...
JOSEPH • 24th April 2024
Land Rover Range Rover Sport • Plug-in Diagnostic Inspection
79 Reviews
Garage in Croydon, 8 years of experience
I have over 8 years experience working on all types of vehicles from super cars to everyday run arounds. Highly competent and extremely knowledgeable, I have a passion for vehicles and how they work. With an...
ANNA • 24th April 2024
Hyundai i10 • Basic Pre-purchase Inspection
69 Reviews
Garage in Leeds, 8 years of experience
Mobile mechanic I cover most of the Leeds area, have knowledge of most vehicles, specialist in BMW, Audi and VW. Offer servicing, MOT and fast fit repairs.
80 Reviews
Garage in Leeds, 5 years of experience
Brakes, Suspension, Exhausts and Servicing - All at your home or work address! I am a highly rated mobile mechanic covering Leeds and surrounding areas, I respect all of the vehicles I work on and take p...
1143 Reviews
Garage in Horton, 20 years of experience
Jon owns and operates SMS Autocare and has been running the business for over 15 years in the Slough area. Prior to setting up SMS Autocare Jon completed his apprenticeship and was then a mobile mechanic for...
OLEKSII • 24th April 2024
Kia Sportage • Clutch replacement
965 Reviews
Garage in Dagenham, 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...
MURALEEDHARAN • 24th April 2024
Lexus RX 300 • Additional work following previous booking
2 Reviews
Garage in Ayelsbury, 7 years of experience
We have been working in vehicle repairs and mechanics for over 7 years and work with all types of engines and classes of vehicles, extremely knowledgeable and passionate, looking after your vehicle to the be...
PAUL • 24th April 2024
Chevrolet Aveo • Standard Pre-purchase Inspection
530 Reviews
Garage in Stevenage , 20 years of experience
I began my mechanical career with Peugeot/Citroen where I completed my full apprenticeship and spent 4 years there. I moved to work with Renault for around 3 years before moving to VW/Audi for 4 years. I rel...
23 Reviews
Garage in Birmingham , 15 years of experience
Hi, my name is marcus. I am a highly qualified mechanic with over 15 years experience. I am friendly, polite, reliable and efficient. Your safety is of the utmost importance . I take pride in my work and ...
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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