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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 646
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 646 |
My daughter just called and said that she wanted to borrow our extra vehicle while they repair her Chevy Venture Van. She said it needs a head gasket. The individual (not a dealership or repair shop) gave her a figure of $2100.00. This sounds high to me but I fully admit I'm out of the loop when it comes to repair costs. Does this figure sound in the ballpark? Thanks.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,121
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,121 |
it would only cost you the price of a gasket set if you did it yourself. about a 4-5 hr job.
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,121
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 47,121 |
that's pretty high by the way
God bless Texas----------------------- Old 300 I will remain what i am until the day I die- A HUNTER......Sitting Bull Its not how you pick the booger.. but where you put it !! Roger V Hunter
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 646
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 646 |
My car wrenching days are over. I was never very good when I did things myself but poverty was good motivation. Maybe if it were summer instead of the dead of winter my son-in-law might take a crack at it but with no heated workplace......I don't think so. It's been 38 years since I've tackled a job like that so my comfort level wouldn't be that high. I guess that I've been lucky and haven't had the need for those type of repairs for a long time so I really don't know how much a job like that should cost. I just thought some Campfire guys might be able to comment on the price being quoted. I'll have my daughter do some calling around in the morning and see if that is a reasonable cost for that work in todays market.
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 68
Campfire Greenhorn
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Campfire Greenhorn
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 68 |
May not be so high it needs machine work to deck the head and check for cracks and man its buried in that tight spot. It �s not the good old days any more.
Psalm 16:1 Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,368
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 24,368 |
My daughter just called and said that she wanted to borrow our extra vehicle while they repair her Chevy Venture Van. She said it needs a head gasket. The individual (not a dealership or repair shop) gave her a figure of $2100.00. This sounds high to me but I fully admit I'm out of the loop when it comes to repair costs. Does this figure sound in the ballpark? Thanks. Three times what I know one cost here, but different areas have different costs. Take it to a reputable repair shop, or the cost to fix what a back yard mechanic did wrong could be more than what a good mechanic would be to do the job right the first time. Seen that happen too.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,157
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,157 |
Hearing things like that is why I'll stick with my '93 Roadmaster wagon.
It takes a village to raise an idiot.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,722 |
If there is a community college nearby, see if they have an automotive program... they will do quality repairs, done by students but mentored by teachers who are usually retired auto techs with impressive resumes and tons of experiences..
I know our local community college will do a job like that for a flat rate of $25.00 plus parts... plus warranty the work...
the $25. just covers shop incidentals...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,795
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,795 |
That's a high price, but not sure if the Venture requires anything funky to get at that rear cylinder head. IIRC the Safari vans/Astro Vans GMC used to make required you to remove the front suspension to drop the engine far enough to do that repair. Stupid design.
I would say a head gasket repair on average should cost around $700-1000.
Then again, I once took a junked Mazda 626 from a girl for $125. Head gasket went up. Price to fix it? $1100. Cost of head gasket? $900. No kidding. Dealer-only part, and the gasket was almost $900. Not worth the price of admission in that case.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,134
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,134 |
Hearing things like that is why I'll stick with my '93 Roadmaster wagon. Haven't seen one of those boats in years.. Those things shoulda come with 'Oversize Load' signs in the trunk..
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69 Pro-Constitution. LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,517
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,517 |
sounds high to me. Is there another garage in town?
Head gaskets usually run around $1K +/-
"wanna hear God laugh? Tell Him you have complete control now!"
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,175
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,175 |
Sounds extremely high to me. For $2100 you might be able to get a brand new crate motor from your local Chevy dealer and have enough money left to pay someone to swap out the motors. The new crate motor also comes with a pretty good warranty.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,792
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,792 |
First thing you need to do is diagnosis problem. Which cylinder blew the gasket. On the rear bank or front bank. Is there water in the oil, how long was it their. The rear head takes 3 times as long as the front head to change. Many mechanic,s pull engine to do rear head. Some just drop cradle at rear to make more room to pull rear head. If water is in oil it may have damaged rod bearings. Engine won,t last after you replace head gaskets. what made engine overheat in first place. How many miles is on vehicle? The rear head is usually beyond your backyard mechanic. Possibly getting close to repairs exceeding value of vehicle.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,425
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,425 |
That's one of those nightmare deals -- all that plumbing and various crap in the way -- packaged construction so everything important is buried. Then, when you finally pry everything out of the way and open sesame, there's an EXPENSIVE SURPRISE. Already is going to cost a zillion dollars, go ahead and see about getting a warranteed rebuild or dealer engine replacement.
Up hills slow, Down hills fast Tonnage first and Safety last.
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