Maestro TD Head Gasket

[steelidan]

Well, after less than 3 months ownership it looks as if the head gasket has gone. The signs are there: heater blowing cool, pressure in the cooling system when the engine is stone cold, occasionally blowing coolant out of the expansion tank. I have found one small garage which will replace the gasket, but they are quoting a minimum of £300, and that's as long as it's a straight swap with no other problems. Unfortunately I'm completely mechanically incompetent so can't do it myself. Does seem a bit expensive - could anyone advise if this is a reasonable price?

[pmd666]

We charged 5-600 pounds, skim, pressure test,t.belts,full gasket set,oil&filter new coolant,oil&cooling flushes,check water pump for leaks with pressure tester,THIS IS 1ST JOB as a leak from this will give these syptoms,heater plugs if any out(tested first),any aux belts damaged, run up,check fans cut in,heater hot and 20mile test run,finally leave overnight to check cold starting The top figure was for the Octopus pump type and ps steering, labour being 150 pounds. THe book time is 7 hrs to do and there are no short cuts.

[Terry]

Hi. Are you sure the head gasget has gone?. The reason I ask is, a couple of years ago I had similer problems with my monty,water steaming from the expantion tank, heater cold, ect,ect. I thought it was the HG had gone but It turned out to be an air blockage in the cooling system. I'm not saying this is the cause of your poblem but just double check.

[E_T_V]

Well the price doesn't suprise me, and chances are when they take the head off they'll find some corrosion of the block or the head. Both can be fixed but many garages will see it and run a mile!

[E_T_V]

Pressure in the cooling system when the engine is cold means it is almost certainly headgasket failure.

[steelidan]

Thanks for the info - would appear that I'm getting off lightly at that price! I'll try and determine if there's an air lock in the system; if not then I'll just have to bite the bullet......

[Terry]

I think the price you've been quoted is not to bad. My mate's headgasket has just gone on his 7 year old MG ZR 180 and his looking at £800+ to fix it.

[Jeff Turbo]

I think the price you've been quoted is not to bad. My mate's headgasket has just gone on his 7 year old MG ZR 180 and his looking at £800+ to fix it.
MG didn't make a ZR180, so it's either a ZR160 of a ZS180. The ZR160 is a K-series 1.8 and will need new bolts also which are expensive. Being quoted £800 + it must be the ZR160 as a ZS180 cost's £800 just to change the cambelts.