What would you do?

[brian4d]

My Indy Mech. (Ex. Sr. Mech. at LR Dealer) has quoted me $2,450 (More because of Sec. Air) for a head gasket job including all other top end gaskets and valve job including heads re-surfaced. It's a bit high, maybe. The problem is I don't know what type of gaskets he's going to use. I would prefer he uses the AB composite gasket set. He said, "Sure". But I can't give you the 1 year warranty on parts and labor if you supply the parts. Question: What should I do???

[naterover]

dont do it i got my head gasket changed heads resurfaced and valves re seated for 900.00 parts cost me 250.00 labor was 450.00 head work was 200.00 and thats the composite gasket.

[naterover]

sec air cost 100.00 more in labor @ 55.00per hr in labor charges

[Disco Mike]

Nate you were lucky, the normal headgasket job should run around $1400 plus head work, which is normally not needed.

Brian,
How many miles on your truck?
Mike

[brian4d]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

Nate you were lucky, the normal headgasket job should run around $1400 plus head work, which is normally not needed.

Brian,
How many miles on your truck?
Mike

80K. Leaking coolant and (drops) of oil from the drivers side head. I'm having to fill the coolant about every week, I could get by with every 2-3 weeks but I'm not going to overheat this engine... I smell coolant burning every time I run the truck. I suspect an external leak. No coolant mixing with oil, oil with coolant, no smoke from exhaust, no bubbles in Coolant. I got the LR dealer (not my Indy) to run a pressure check. LR quoted me 3,350 without a valvejob.... And HELP! Thanks Mike.

[brian4d]

Originally Posted by naterover

sec air cost 100.00 more in labor @ 55.00per hr in labor charges

55 per hour. Wasn't that what they charged in the 70's?

[SafariDave]

I also heard from an LR mechanic that head work is not needed.

[brian4d]

Originally Posted by SafariDave

I also heard from an LR mechanic that head work is not needed.

Can you be more specific? I know I can drive on it and keep filling the coolant but to be honest I've always been one to get it fixed soon if a car is leaking coolant...

[Series 3 guy]

Because he's an ex service guy at a LR "stealership" means nothing. Just a glorified ford tech at best. He's diognosing the problem pre-tear down without having looked at the heads to see if there is a genuine need for head work. There may be a need ,but without pulling it apart he will never know that. He may be giving you a worse case scenario price but TBH it does sound rather high to me. Shop it around with other indy LR guys. There's a credit crunch so there will be people out threre with plenty of knowledge that will give you a more competitive price.

[brian4d]

Originally Posted by Series 3 guy

Because he's an ex service guy at a LR "stealership" means nothing. Just a glorified ford tech at best. He's diognosing the problem pre-tear down without having looked at the heads to see if there is a genuine need for head work. There may be a need ,but without pulling it apart he will never know that. He may be giving you a worse case scenario price but TBH it does sound rather high to me. Shop it around with other indy LR guys. There's a credit crunch so there will be people out threre with plenty of knowledge that will give you a more competitive price.

I thought that a re-surface was needed with any head gasket job, new heads being the worst case. Am I wrong?

[parsonsjunior]

Originally Posted by brian4d

My Indy Mech. (Ex. Sr. Mech. at LR Dealer) has quoted me $2,450 (More because of Sec. Air) for a head gasket job including all other top end gaskets and valve job including heads re-surfaced. It's a bit high, maybe. The problem is I don't know what type of gaskets he's going to use. I would prefer he uses the AB composite gasket set. He said, "Sure". But I can't give you the 1 year warranty on parts and labor if you supply the parts. Question: What should I do???

give this question a post on the solaros tech forum we got some uber techs in the club

[brian4d]

I'm going to bump this. Mike, still there? I got another quote from an indy in Raleigh, NC for $2550!! I'll spend the money if I have to. I know after I have all the gaskets are changed the engine will go for another 100K...

[Drillbit]

call will tillery in danville, he is a top shelf rover guy, he knows his stuff and charges fairly. His number is 4342519331

[Disco Mike]

Originally Posted by SafariDave

I also heard from an LR mechanic that head work is not needed.

That can not be determined until the heads are off, then there are 2 things you are looking for, warpage and valve wear.
Most Rovers don't need valve work for upwards of 200,000 miles, the need to resurface the heads will be based on how hot the engine was allowed to get.
Mike

[brian4d]

Originally Posted by Disco Mike

That can not be determined until the heads are off, then there are 2 things you are looking for, warpage and valve wear.
Most Rovers don't need valve work for upwards of 200,000 miles, the need to resurface the heads will be based on how hot the engine was allowed to get.
Mike

Mike, The engine has never overheated. It's just leaking a bit from the driver side head. I understand preemptive maintenance, but at what cost for my Disco?