Head Gasket on a Renault 19

Megalomaniac

Why is it after years of excellent service from my car, repairs all come at once?! I have recently had my J Reg Renault 19 serviced, with new tyres and exhaust. Everything was fine until last night when it broke down, and the mechanics say it needs a new head gasket. How much am I looking at here? I know its a costly job, and the car isn't worth much really (65k miles though), but was wondering what a mechanic expects it would cost?

Kwik fit which we had it towed to, have said it would probs cost £300-400 but they don't do it. How much in other people's experience with a car like this or similar will it cost?

I know its an old car, but if you buy a new one, you'll proabbly looking at spending at least as much on a new car, and after that the repairs that need doing so I can't see it being worthwhile buying a new one. I only want to keep it running another 18 months minimum!

Any advice please. Thanks.

Thunderbird_2

Hi

I don't know the answer to your question, but I know a place where somebody would know. Try http://www.frenchcarforum.co.uk/.

If I were you, I would buy a Japanese car for £400-500 put this one on ebay and use whatever it might get towards the cost of getting the other car.

Only you can tell if the car was in a good condition (no rust, no rattle, was not using any oil at all), to warrant the head gasket repair. If it is not that perfect, I would recommend buying another one, may be the same model and see what you can swap from your old car to your new one .....hold on, you might one for peanuts click here


Good luck.

Megalomaniac

Got a quote and the guy said a maximum of £400. It's a very good car (65k miles), has no rust, runs smoothly and quietly, been well looked after. Only thing that is going on it is the stereo as the speakers cut in and out. Oh and it sometimes take a little bit to start on cold mornings, but for a 91 car, you have to expect it.

Have decided to go for the repair. I'm not a mechanic and figure if I was to buy another car and get parts wapped over etc... it would be more than £400. I know there will be a time when it's really over the hill, but since everything else is very good on it (mechanics who have seen it have commented on how good it is for the age) I'll stick by it and hope it the engine manofold doesn't fall out. They've checked the rest of the engine and everything and can't see anything else wrong, so fingers crossed and touch wood, this will be the last of the big repairs until the end of it's life (at least with me as its owner).

However thanks Thunderbird, I'm sure that french car forum will come in handy!

Iamthesmartestmanalive

Id get it in writing

Seems very cheap for a head gasket repair from a mechanics

Megalomaniac

Right ok will do. I thought that was about the price of it by browsing the web. I know its costly in labour but I have it down at a garage which specialises in these repairs... I assume it would be cheaper as they know what they're doing, done it before and probably do it quicker than someone else. Thanks for the tip though.

jeannieblue

If it is straightforward headgasket - then I would think that its not alot to spend out - and you are obviously fond of the car. It is your call at the end of the day, but the car is getting on a bit now and you must expect things to start going wrong.

Maybe time to retire the 'old girl'.