Cost To Replace The Head Gasket-?

[scodari]

Has anyone had their head gasket replaced recently? I've only found one place so far that is willing to do the work and he estimates about $1,200 to do the job. Is this a fair price or is he ripping us off?

[lewdawg]

$1200 is probably not a bad deal if he is doing a complete re-build of the head but if it is just a head gasket change then, yes, he is trying to take you to the cleaners!!!

[jeff denton]

Let me put it this way. I recently did a quickie refresher overhaul on a 1.9 for a fellow who lives in Helena. He delivered me a core which was in beautiful condition but had been stashed in a shed for almost twenty years. It really only needed cleaned up but got bearings, rings, gaskets, and valve job. The valve job was farmed out. He had all the parts. So really all I did was take it apart, clean it up, and put it together. It went away unpainted on a crate. I charged him $500. Plenty. I didn't keep close track of the time, as if I did overhauls for a living, it was kind of a favor for my father in law's friend.
A shop in Helena charged him $500 to swap it into his GT and fire it up and tune it.
Not a bad deal, considering he didn't have to do any of the dirty work!
So, $1200 to take the head off, and put it back on with new gaskets? No way.
I'd guess five hours labor, at most.
Unless there's more to it, like refreshing the valves or the surface.

[scodari]

He estimated $1,000 for labor plus $100. to have the head machined...assuming no valve work, etc. Plus gaskets, etc.

[michaedo]

I'm guessin' he doesn't want to do it.

[jeff denton]

Yes. About half of his estimate would be about right. My overhaul "favor" was about half what it should have been, I probably had twenty hours into it but I didn't have to deal with parts. Nor install it or fire it up and tune it. Most of it was really cleanup!

[scodari]

I see "Thermagasket" advertised on this site. Is anyone familiar with this product? Has anyone used it?

[Anonymous D]

Do it yourself, save by buying the parts and supplies yourself (no garage markup), and pocket what would have gone for labor. (Not only that, but many shops don't know all that should be known, about swapping a head on an Opel -- avoid paying for someone else's education!). Cylinder Head removal & reinstallation instructions are in the March/April 2008 OMC Blitz.

[Sparky73]

Originally Posted by Anonymous D Cylinder Head removal & reinstallation instructions are in the March/April 2008 OMC Blitz.

Sorry to post off topic, but how do you go about signing up for the OMC Blitz? I have received it twice, once about a year ago and once not too long after that. Do they only publish issues a couple times a year or did I somehow become un-subscribed?

Edit: I just checked the Opel Motorsports website and seen there is a fee to sign up? I must have recieved those issues by accident or something as I had never paid anything before..

[Anonymous D]

It takes money to run any Opel information source, whether it's a website or a newsletter. Occasionally, OMC will send out a free complimentary copy (if someone needs a tech tip, or to provide a sample of what the club has to offer).

[RallyBob]

Originally Posted by scodari Has anyone had their head gasket replaced recently? I've only found one place so far that is willing to do the work and he estimates about $1,200 to do the job. Is this a fair price or is he ripping us off?

Don't you love the high price of living in CT?

Way too much money. A decent mechanic can do the job in 2-3 hours without breaking a sweat. A guy who knows Opels can do it at the track in 20 minutes or so with a helper....

Bob

[jeff denton]

Originally Posted by RallyBob A guy who knows Opels can do it at the track in 20 minutes or so with a helper.... Bob

Ah, then I HALFWAY know Opels. I can have the head off in twenty minutes at the track. And back on by next Saturday evening.