How to Get a Quick Blown Head Gasket Repair

It's important to get a blown head gasket repaired as soon as possible. When this component becomes damaged, coolant can leak from your car's engine. It causes the engine to work too hard and eventually overheat, leading to engine failure.

Unfortunately, a blown head gasket is one of the most expensive car parts to repair. Depending on the overall condition of your vehicle, some mechanics will tell you to buy a new car.

Thankfully, there's a good chance that DoNotPay can find the most reasonable repair quote.

Average Price to Fix a Blown Head Gasket

According to RepairPal, you can expect to pay at least $1,809 for a blown head gasket repair. The majority of that cost is labor, which is usually over $1,000. The replacement part itself costs between $754-$769 on average.

Additionally, it costs more to repair certain brands compared to others. Parts for luxury cars are almost always more expensive, and parts for discontinued vehicles.

Fixing a blown head gasket is exceptionally labor-intensive, even for an experienced mechanic. Besides acquiring the replacement part, a mechanic must:

Disconnect the engine battery.
Drain all the coolant and oil from the engine.
Remove each nut, bolt, clamp, and other small pieces from the cylinder head.
Carefully remove each cylinder fastener in the correct sequence.
Clean the entire engine block, cylinder head assembly, and every cylinder fastener thread.
Carefully install the new head gasket.
Put everything back together in the correct order.

Oftentimes, this job will take at least a few days to complete. Additionally, failure to re-install every part just as it was could cause more problems in the future. Given all of the expertise needed for the task, it's unlikely that you can fix a blown head gasket by yourself.

Common Causes of Damaged Head Gaskets

Head gaskets can deteriorate for several reasons:

Overheating	When the engine is too hot, it can cause the head gasket to develop cracks eventually split apart. You can prevent this by keeping your engine filled with enough coolant at all times.
Age and General Wear-and-Tear	Most head gaskets are built to last for at least 200,000 miles. That's why it's only recommended to get a head gasket replaced if your car has fewer miles on the odometer.
Sudden Changes in Temperature	Attempting to accelerate before the engine has time to warm up can damage the head gasket. Practicing safe driving habits can help you avoid these incidents.
Pre-Ignition Issues	Healthy engine ignition goes through the intake, compression, and combustion stages. However, pre-ignition is when the engine starts too early in the compression stage. It puts a lot of stress on the cylinder head and other engine components, causing a blown head gasket.

How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off for a Head Gasket Repair

A head gasket repair is already a big job, so you don't need extra fees on top of that. For example, some auto shops will purposefully look for extra things that are "wrong" on your vehicle. While this is sometimes out of concern, you should always ask for a second opinion.

If a shop is having trouble finding the right head gasket for your vehicle, they could charge extra. Fortunately, it's not difficult to research the part on your own beforehand. That way, you can decide whether or not the mechanic is charging you a fair price.

Other ways to save money on head gasket repairs include:

Getting an estimate from multiple shops before any work is done
Asking friends and family for recommendations
Checking the reviews online
Getting a AAA membership. It will allow you to visit AAA-approved shops and get discounts on your repairs.
Finding a local mechanic
Buying the necessary parts beforehand, but remember to check the warranty. A mechanic cannot provide you with an extra one on parts they did not purchase themselves.

You may also end up paying far less for a head gasket repair if you catch it early enough. Initial signs of head gasket damage include:

Engine misfires
Unexplained oil or coolant leaks
The oil that appears milky in color and appearance
Water vapor and/or white smoke exiting the tailpipe

DoNotPay Can Find the Lowest Quote for Any Head Gasket Repair

If your car will even start after a head gasket fails, the vehicle is not safe to drive. You may be left spending a lot of money on rideshare services while you're trying to find an affordable repair quote.

Many people don't even know where to start searching. DoNotPay is the perfect solution because it provides guaranteed results without forcing you to do the legwork yourself.

Here's how to start saving on your next head gasket repair with DoNotPay:

Search for Quote My Repair on DoNotPay.
Enter the details of the repair you need.
Let DoNotPay find competitive rates for that repair in your area and any relevant information to keep you from being overcharged.

From Cars to Electronics, DoNotPay Can Help You Fix Anything

DoNotPay can find the cheapest quote for unlimited kinds of repairs, including:

DoNotPay can even provide you with additional coupons and access to age-specific or profession-specific discounts. The DoNotPay Repairs product also isn't limited by location.