1991 605 head gasket gone - DIY job or junk the car?

Question

I have a 1991 Peugeot 605 (rare in the UK) with a blown head-gasket (4 cyl petrol). Garage repair quote is more than car is worth. No Haynes manual available, so DIY would need to be by guesswork and exploded views from electronic parts catalogue. Advice? Any Manuals, websites? DIY or junk the car?

Lee Power via CarKB.com · Accepted Answer

HiMost of the engines are the same as the 405 / 406 range.The 2 litre 8 valve petrol was also used in the series 2 405 & series 1306s.The 2 litre 8 valve turbo was used in the series 1 406s.Dont forget that the Citroen Xantia also had all these engines fitted to itover its lifespan.

Nik&Andy · Answer

Shouldn't be that hard, get a 405 manual and that should be enoughAndy

Nom · Answer

There's nothing wierd about it - you shouldn't be paying any more than £150 or so for a standard 4-pot head-gasket change (say 4 hours labour @ £30, and then another £30 for the head-gasket-kit itself).

How much have you been quoted ?

Dave James · Answer

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way - Peugeot guide quotes 7.5 hourslabour which is what independent garages quote. They charge by "guide" hours, not actual hours, so that there is no dispute with customers. Add gasket, new cam belt,add head-bolts, add oil, and anti-freeze, and VAT on top and you get to £500+ providing that the head doesn't need a skim which raises the quote to nearly £700.Nom wrote:

Nom · Answer

It does at my local garage ! Take it somewhere else :)

They're the same engines as used in the 405, and none of those cost more than a couple of hundred quid to replace (I know, because I've had them done in the past !). You shouldn't be paying extra for the 605's rarity.

1991 605 head gasket gone - DIY job or junk the car?

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