The Cost of Head Gasket Repair: Should You Do It?

There are lots of things that can go wrong with a vehicle. You can get a flat tire. One of your coolant lines can spring a leak. Your battery might die. Or, your alternator could fail.

Of all the things that can happen to your vehicle, though, there’s probably nothing more expensive or frustrating than dealing with a blown head gasket. In fact, in many cases, a blown head gasket can turn your vehicle into a junk car -- at which point your only real option is to sell your junk car to a local junk car buyer. This is because fixing a head gasket is never cheap. It’s not unusual for the repair to cost more than a thousand dollars, and sometimes significantly more than that. This is because your mechanic will need to physically take your engine apart in order to replace the gasket, and the time involved in disassembly can be significant.

With all of this in mind, should you really shell out so much cash to fix your head gasket? Or, is there a better option? Let’s take a look at what a blown head gasket is, how to know if you have one, how much it costs to replace, and what your options are.

What is a blown head gasket?

Even if you’ve never experienced it before, you probably know someone who’s had one of their vehicles “blow a gasket.” In fact, it’s such a common problem that it’s become an expression in English for what happens when someone gets upset and looks like they’re about to explode! But, what exactly does it mean for your vehicle to blow a gasket?

Simple put, the head gasket is the part of your engine that create a seal between the top part of your engine, or head, and the bottom part. This keeps your engine’s coolant, oil, and compressed air where it belongs. If your head gasket blows, your engine can leak oil, coolant, and air.

How do you know if you have a blown head gasket?

A blown head gasket can produce a variety of serious signs. If your car overheats, your head gasket can blow. One of the easiest ways to check to see if your head gasket blew after experiencing an overheated engine is to check your oil dipstick. If you notice that there’s coolant mixed in with the oil, your head gasket may be blown.

How much does it cost to fix a head gasket?

If you’ve blown your head gasket, you may be in for a sizeable repair bill. It’s not unusual for a head gasket repair to range from $1,000 all the way up to $2,000 or even more. The actual price will vary depending on the year, model, and make of your vehicle. Larger engines are often more expensive to repair.

Should I replace my head gasket?

If the cost of repairing your head gasket exceeds the value of your vehicle, you’re probably better of selling it to a junk car buyer. Rusty’s Auto Salvage is ready to pay you major cash for your junk car, no matter where you’re located. Visit our website to learn more.