Cost to repair blown head gasket?

samtheman1k

Mrs S1k has apparently blown the head gasket in her Fiat Punto 1.2 (2001, 70k miles), according to the AA who are currently rescuing her...

Any idea how much that is likely to cost to repair, or is it likely to be a write off...just need to know so that when it's taken to the garage, I know what to tell them to do!

Thanks!

s_b

last time one of the services dragged one of these back to me it was due to the thermostat sticking shut and unless its a mia most puntos have a gauge showing its gonner blow (thermostat on this age common too)
anyway
it will need a skim
a new timing belt
possibly a new water pump if been in years (recommended)
new head bolts
head gasket
labour
so depending where you are and labour rates will determine prices
£250 to £400

Hammyman

If its done cheaply, £150-£200. If it is done properly, around £400-£450.

samtheman1k

Hmm...it would appear it is £800 + VAT :eek::eek::eek::eek:

So, what to do with an old car with a blown head gasket????

It's only worth about £700 if repaired...so, do I:

A) allow garage to buy it for £50 they've offered
scrap it locally for £120
C) get it home and sell on ebay for £3-400? (but have to pay someone to tow it home (about 20 miles).
D) any other ideas????

YOU CHOOSE!!!!!

birkee

Double check diagnosis.

Two experiences.
One: Engine siezed. Really: A jammed starter motor.
Two: Ignition failure: Really: Piston in SU carburettor jammed in closed position.

Compression test cylinders first.

s_b

samtheman1k wrote: »

Hmm...it would appear it is £800 + VAT :eek::eek::eek::eek:

So, what to do with an old car with a blown head gasket????

It's only worth about £700 if repaired...so, do I:

A) allow garage to buy it for £50 they've offered
scrap it locally for £120
C) get it home and sell on ebay for £3-400? (but have to pay someone to tow it home (about 20 miles).
D) any other ideas????

YOU CHOOSE!!!!!

go to a garage that lives in 2011 and not cloud cuckoo

Alias_Omega

At 70,000 miles its probably time it had a cambelt change anyhow, through in an Aux belt and its half of the major service.

If you purchase a similar car of similar age, you would probably have to replace the cambelt anyhow. So probably wise for a decent repair and partial service too.

samtheman1k

It had the cambelt changed about 10000 miles ago.

mcjordi

dont accept the £50 its worth at least £180 using cartakeback.com

it will cost a lot less than £800

anything from 300-400 i would of said

rodenal

I would:

1) Tell the garage to foxtrot oscar
2) Get the car home
3) ring round local garages and ask for quotes including skimming
4) look on gumtree or the likes for local mechanics after homers and ask the same question (you might struggle to get one who wants to do it but worth a try)
5) Either get it fixed by one of the above at about £2-300 MAX or
6) Stick it on ebay at a starting price of £200 - if it doesnt sell either strip it or scrap it

Hammyman

samtheman1k wrote: »

Hmm...it would appear it is £800 + VAT :eek::eek::eek::eek:

So, what to do with an old car with a blown head gasket????

It's only worth about £700 if repaired...so, do I:

A) allow garage to buy it for £50 they've offered

HAHA...the old quote a silly price and "it'll cost more than its worth mate but I'll do you a favour and give you £50 for it" routine.

Go to a different garage.