How much is a headgasket job? My 91' Golf is so close to being perfect

Alright.

We have project 91' Golf almost complete. Did a tuneup on it tonight, new plugs, wires, distribution system, and temperature sensor (no one told me hot water would come pouring out of that hole.... ohh well, good thing I had compressed air to dry off the exposed spark plug terminals.... hot water coming from a hot water pipe, who knew). The car idles so smoothly now, and there is no staggering at startoff anymore. I can bearly hear the engine running anymore, its quite nice for a 4 cylinder, my 99 diesel vibrates quite a bit more when stoped in gear(which is to be expected, as it is an automatic, in neutral the vibration stops to barely feelable levels).

Anyhow, there is oil coming thru the top gasket (head gasket?) and I am trying to convince the "project manager" (my father...) that it needs to be fixed. How much is labour on this job, and secondly how much is the part?

Regardless, we are getting a timing belt done too, so I figured we could work in the timing belt while they are already in there.

Other then that, all she needs is an alternator adjustment screw which I will be able to get tuesday, then she'll be running like a VW, and smoking some more Honda's again ;-).

Reply to
Rob Guenther
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What are you calling the "top" gasket? If it's the one right under the valve cover, black steel cover, then it's easy. The head gasket is between the aluminum head where the spark plugs are and the iron engine block beneeth it. It's harder to replace.

Joe

Reply to
Joe R

Reply to
Rob Guenther

The proper term for it is "valve cover gasket". It should come with two silicone rubber parts. A half circle for the left side of the head, most of the time they are blue. And a piece, usally orange, that goes over the timing belt side bearing cap. Use some silicone sealer on the ends of the piece on the belt side where it meets the rest of the gasket. There is also a front and rear to it. Or top and bottom side if you prefere. It's a easy job. While your there make sure the ground wires on the left rear that fasten to a bracket then held by the corner screw are not broken. If so that causes running problems. While your getting the gasket, get the rubber insert in the valve cover where the vent valve goes in. If it's not been replaced it's ready to brake.

Joe R.

Reply to
Joe R

What you are referring to is called the valve cover gasket. I haven't priced them lately but the gasket should be under $20. Labor will be 2 to 3 times the price of the part. I haven't done it on your exact vehicle but you should be able to do it yourself in less than 1 hr with no special tools or experience. Take the money that you would have spent on labor and buy a Bentley manual (not a Chilton or any other cheap substitute). If you are going to drive a 12 year old car you'll either have to learn how to fix the simple stuff or the car will nickel and dime you to death. This group is great with helping novices 4 years ago I bought my first VW ( a 22 year old cabby) and knew nothing about them. Since then this group and the Bentley have gotten me through an engine swap, transmission swap and many, many upgrades (and now my family owns 2 cabbies and a 99 jetta).

HTH Steve

Reply to
sehaare

Reply to
Rob Guenther

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