cylinder head gasket

Got a 1.7 l DTI (Diesel) engine in my Astra estate. Been a great car, still
working fine, but have been told there's a "bit of oil in the coolant", and
that the gasket will need replacing. The dealership has costed this at
around £1000, saying that it involves a very major job, and replacement of
pumps etc........ as well as the gasket. Is this a bit over the top? Should
I get a "little man down the road" to do it........or do I just part
exchange for a new one at a different garage before it totally goes? I am
not detecting any difference in performance, or smokey exhaust.

 

Get it done now if you want to keep the car for a few more years. now means
that there will not be any need to have the head skimmed. Might as well dp
the cambelt at the same time, as its a parts only cost.
IMHO a grand is a serious rip off price tho.

Mike

 

So do you think a "NON-vauxhall" small garage can do the job, without any
problems concerning specialist knowledge or anything? - In other words, is
it a more straightforward job than they are saying at the vauxhall garage?

 

That does sound a bit steep; I had my 2 litre Omega head gasket changed
by a Vx dealer, just about got change from 500 quid. Seems relatively
reasonable in comparison....

 

If its the isuzu engine, then I did our vectras on our front street in @ 4
hours. And thats with a lot of buggering about that the average home
mechanic does (finding tools, chatting to neighbours etc). If you want to do
a proper job then you will need head gasket, exhaust gasket (leave the inlet
on) rocker gasket. best add a cambelt kit while its off unless its a recent
change, anitfreeze, and a new set of head bolts as they are the stretching
use-once-kind. (bloody silly idea , IMHO). Probably looking around 100-120
for that lot (but thats just aguess) and @ 250ish labour at a small garage.
ring round for the parts prices first, then ask a garage what they will
charge, some small places might charge trade cost and make money on labour.
your choice, but if you delay much and it starts a serious blow then you
need to have the head skimmed probably. thats when costs start going up.

Mike

BTW, anyone think of any parts I forgot?

 

What a rip-off, name and shame this dealer now