Head Gaskets-why so expensive?

[jupiter2step]

I'm no petrol head, but as I understand it, a head gasket is essentially a strip of rubber. So why on earth are they so costly to replace? I assume it's the labour cost?

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

In short, yes..

The likes of you and I cant do it so those that can, charge!

They also are most like adding the cost of skimming the head 'where they shave a very thin layer off of metal to make an even surface'.

 

[The mallard]

Long ago when I were a lad, your average 16yr old could change a head gasket on a mini or an escort in inder 2 hours (the good old pushrod engines), with a handful of spanners and a new gasket. Other gaskets couild be made from gasket paper or in extremis cereal packets. No other parts required.

Unfortunately, modern cars being more complex require more dismantling, and numerous new gaskets/seals/head bolts etc and some people renew cam belts water pumps tensioners etc at the same time as an insurance to avoid replacement in their own right.

It is called progress

 

[jepho]

Long ago when I were a lad, your average 16yr old could change a head gasket on a mini or an escort in inder 2 hours (the good old pushrod engines), with a handful of spanners and a new gasket. Other gaskets couild be made from gasket paper or in extremis cereal packets. No other parts required.

Unfortunately, modern cars being more complex require more dismantling, and numerous new gaskets/seals/head bolts etc and some people renew cam belts water pumps tensioners etc at the same time as an insurance to avoid replacement in their own right.

It is called progress

Cornflakes packets and Hylomar.

 

[markjay]

Long ago when I were a lad, your average 16yr old could change a head gasket on a mini or an escort in inder 2 hours

Not quite - my first one took me a bit longer than that - but then it was the dreaded Alfa DOHC with the head stuck on studs instead of using bolts..



But yes, this is correct, plus the very high cost of labour in this country - taking into account not only stripping and machining but also sorting-out the valves (and replacing when needed etc). Then there's coolant, labour etc etc, and 20% VAT on top...

 

[renault12ts]

Mine was on a (wait for it) Renault12ts. No problem geting the head off. But then I turned the crank to see the pistons go up and down...and disturbed the dry liners (how could I know about those). Took a lottttt longer to put back together again.

 

[Dieselman]

But then I turned the crank to see the pistons go up and down...and disturbed the dry liners (how could I know about those). Took a lottttt longer to put back together again.

They would be wet liners due to being in contact with the coolant. Dry liners are pressed into the cast block so are in contact with metal.

 

[renault12ts]

They would be wet liners due to being in contact with the coolant. Dry liners are pressed into the cast block so are in contact with metal.

I know...but couldn't be bother changing it...

 

[Dieselman]

I thought you might know.

I seem to have a problem with new posts and threads now.

I've posted this post http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1205226-post92.html into this thread http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres/109137-me-mechanic-7.html#post1205226 and it neither shows in the new posts or main menu screens for me.

Can anyone see the post, if not there is a problem.

I've tried to create a thread in feedback and in general about this but can't do it there, as when submitting the thread the submission just hangs, but all other forum functions are working.

 

[Mercsys]

I think my first head job was on a Pontiac 261 in2 and the dealer needed to know if it had ally pistons or cast iron to id the gasket kit!

 

[grober]

I'm no petrol head, but as I understand it, a head gasket is essentially a strip of rubber. So why on earth are they so costly to replace? I assume it's the labour cost?

Mercedes gaskets are complex bits of engineering usually made by Victor Reinz. Some background reading to help you change your mind.
http://www.reinz.de/pictures/39-00120-10_PI_1_MLS-CHG-low-e.pdf

Ask any Merc mechanic doing an engine rebuild and he will tell you this is one area it pays to stick with a Mercedes part.

 

[219]

I thought you might know.

I seem to have a problem with new posts and threads now.

I've posted this post http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/1205226-post92.html into this thread http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/wheels-tyres/109137-me-mechanic-7.html#post1205226 and it neither shows in the new posts or main menu screens for me.

Can anyone see the post, if not there is a problem.

I've tried to create a thread in feedback and in general about this but can't do it there, as when submitting the thread the submission just hangs, but all other forum functions are working.

I can see it .

 

[Will]

As with any repair job, you're paying for the cost of parts and labour.

The parts cost what they cost - head gasket plus associated other seals/gaskets, cylinder head bolts, oil/coolant etc - plus any machining costs as necessary.

The labour side can be quite extensive - to strip and remove the cylinder head, clean everything up properly, re-assemble with scrupulous care, replace all fluids etc and run up and test everything - often quoted as 8-10 hours or so but in reality probably takes longer if youre being thorough

Add these two together (parts and labour) and hence why for typical MB engines you would be quoted somewhere in the ball park of £200+ for parts/machining, perhaps £400-600 labour or thereabouts (depending of course on the engine/model etc). More complex models would obviously cost significantly more!