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Head Gasket replace on sierra

I know this question is a bit like, how long is a piece of string, but what would be a reasonable cost for a decent back street garage to replace a head gasket on a Sierra 1.8 CVH. Looks a fair amount of work to me and the manual is full of complex sequences for retighening head bolts. Even says the cam cover bolts need tighening in sequence. Was never this difficult in the days of my old Mk1 Escort when I used to whip the head off and back on in an afternoon. I'm guessing a garage would take 2-3 hours to do the work, so I can't see I'd get much change out of £200 and that is what the car cost.

I am thinking of doing it myself, but from the looks of things in the Haynes book I need a few extra tools, like something to undo the Torx type head bolts and the head tightening malarkey even mentions an angle gauge, which I suppose I'd have to buy as well (although sure I could do it accurately enough without this gauge).

Bucket

Reply to
Bucket
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Torx bits are about £20 - £25 for a full set of the Halfords professional. Forget the angle gauge. Honestly, near enough is good enough.

Reply to
gazzafield

Depends on whether they do the job properly and replace the stretch bolts. Shouldn't be more than around £100.

All heads should be tightened in sequence. The only difference is that because it uses stretch bolts, you then have to go round them again turning it so many degrees.

Actually, if you'd done the job properly in the MK1 escort days you'd have torqued the headbolts in a spiral pattern as well as the rocker cover. It is done to prevent warping. Ever wondered why the rocker cover gasket never sealed?

You don't need an angle gauge. Best guess will do. You just need a socket to fit the headbolts.

Reply to
Conor

Although the chances are you'll only need two or perhaps three sizes. The Halfords Pro are well worth it; they don't bat an eyelid if you break them, they just change them. And I did break one on my Vauxhall Ecotec head.

Reply to
Chris Bolus

Reply to
dojj

Thanks for all the advise. I think I'll go and buy the decent Torx set and do the head myself. At least that way I can give the head a clean up and replace a few other bits while I'm at it.

Regards to all Bucket

Reply to
Bucket

Remember to get a new set of head bolts.

Reply to
Conor

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