need a headgasket done in northern va...shop wants $900!!

[thewraith]

hi all,

i just purchased a 95 talon tsi awd. the car may need a head gasket. the mechanic i took it too says $900 for this job!! can anyone confirm this is the going rate or point me to a better shop/person to do this job for me? any help would be greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance

 

[turbogentwo]

wow 900 is he going to do valve job and deck it also?? or is he just pulling the head and changing the gasket? also is he putting all parts or are you buying aftermarket gaskets and head studs?

 

[thewraith]

i'm going to buy the parts..he's just doing the head gasket..overpriced??

 

[Defiant]

Be glad you're in Virginia.
Ask how much for a valve job, and how much if you need valve guides and seats. You'll soon see $900 isn't even the start of it.

 

[Black 95 TSI]

I just looked up the price and thats bout what i would charge you IT pays 9 hours labor. I am in Bethesda and we charge $90.00 and hour.Plus i do charge exta when the custmers bring me there own parts, just cause some times parts are wrong or drfective and then i have to sit around and wait till they get the right parts and tie up my time. Hey you do live in washington area get used to it.

 

[thewraith]

dammit. guess i'm doing it myself. i thought i was out of the rebuild business back to it then.

 

[TjPhillips36]

Take it up north a little if you can. JNZ Tuning near Philadelphia has some very competitive rates. Your still looking at about $500 labor though...

 

[bling5tatus]

+500 for do it yourself.

 

[prostreetdsmx1]

you know i hate to play devils advocate here but folks are always say "do it yourself", "you'll save the money" but fact of the matter is that a head swap is not a simple wham bam thank you ma'am job.

It's the kind of job that requires experience and should be done by someone who knows what they are doing or it will end up costing like 3 times the amount.

I would say $900 isn't terrible for resurfacing, head gasket, head studs, labor and fluids.

 

[silver bullit]

I would do it myself and your not to far i could swap out gaskits

 

[chrish1440]

Break out the tools and get er done! j/k

 

[toddrs93]

Are you still looking to get this done? I can do it for $450, I am in Hagerstown, MD but I get alot of cars from Nothern VA.

 

[thewraith]

toddrs, i think my cousin may have spoken to you already about this. i will contact you tomorrow.

thanks
meek

 

[waa95gsx]

Dude, I'll drive there and we can both do it. just pay for my gas there and back and you got yourself a deal. I live in Charlottsville. I just did my head gasket so it will be cake for me. Maybe you'll learn some things along the way. Just let me know. Im free up until Monday. Good luck with it if you already found someone.

 

[Styl]

Damn, I called around to a few local shops and I was getting $1000 quotes. I definitely don't have the mechanical aptitude to do this myself, so I guess I'll have to save up a couple pay checks... >_< At least the $1000 quote included the parts, labor, fluid changes, and having the head machined. Also, good to see other DSM enthusiasts around the area. Too man Honda heads near me.

 

[Hondasi88]

I went to a shop and they wanted 900.......one of the mechanics gave me his card and said he does side work. Anyway he charged me 425.00 and did


Head gaskets
Timming belt
Tune-up
Balance Shaft belts
Alternator belt and new alternator install

of course i got all the parts but it was a deal! Took him 3.5 hours

email me if u want his info


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