Head Gasket in Chatham

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Top garages for Head Gasket in Chatham (60 found)
autotrend motor services limited
318 Jobs Completed
CHATHAM
4.6 / 5

Autotrend Motor Services offers Car & Light Commercial Repairs, MOT Testing (Class 4 and Class 7), Welding, Air Conditioning, Servicing, Clutches, Tracking and Diagno

Mach 1 Automotive LTD
239 Jobs Completed
Chatham
4.9 / 5

We are a small family run business and 100% committed to customer satisfaction. We aim to provide a personal and high-quality service. We will back up all our work with a

Vehicle Mobile Solutions / VMS Customs Ltd
3 Jobs Completed
CHATHAM
5.0 / 5

Based in Chatham VMS have experience in carrying out all manor work on cars and vans. We have high cusotmer retention working on private vehicles and for a wide range

Smith Vehicle Services
387 Jobs Completed
Rochester
4.4 / 5

Mobile mechanic based in the Medway towns. Covering all of Medway, Maidstone, Swale & surrounding areas. 9 years experience working on all vehicles to a high level w

SM Mobile Mechanics
164 Jobs Completed
ROCHESTER
4.6 / 5

At SM Mobile Mechanic we are fully insured mobile mechanics, making your motoring needs simple and convenient. We offer a wide range of services including; servicing, bra

Black Lion MOT Centre
48 Jobs Completed
Gillingham
3.7 / 5

Black Lion MOT Centre is an established and respected local garage based in Gillingham. We are a family run business able to provide a wide range of automotive services a

Dealer Diagnostics
35 Jobs Completed
Chatham
5.0 / 5

Technician With over 20 years in the motor trade All carry up to date main dealer level diagnostic software. Able to carry out software updates and programming

CT Auto Repairs
82 Jobs Completed
Chatham
5.0 / 5

Our team have over 30 years experience in a large variety of mechanical repairs and services such as clutch replacements, diagnostics, brake discs and pads, gearbox repai

Berengrave Service station.
9 Jobs Completed
Gillingham
4.0 / 5

Welcome to Berengrave Service Station. We have been an independant family owned business for over 50 years. Offering great value and good traditional customer

Enigma Motorworks
160 Jobs Completed
Gillingham
4.8 / 5

Here at Engima we cover a wide range of mechanical repairs, maintenance work, diagnostics, servicing and with no job being too big or too small. We can accommodate an

Singh fleet service ltd (mobile-mechanic)
44 Jobs Completed
Gillingham
4.0 / 5

Its a mobile garage that comes to you wether your at work or home, we fix all the leading brands of cars and vans,we are very reliable even at weekends it is paramount t

Choice Mobile Mechanics Medway
6 Jobs Completed
Rochester
4.5 / 5

"Choice Mobile Mechanics Medway have a team of mechanics working across the South of England, from Bristol to Maidstone. They offer convenient on-site servicing and repai

ASM Auto Centre Ltd
3 Jobs Completed
Gillingham
3.7 / 5

"We are a small locally run mobile mechanic business with a wide range in knowledge and skills offering you a personal but professional service at the best possible price

Medway Hyundai
Member since 28 March 2024
Rainham

Family owned Hyundai main dealer located in Rainham, Kent. A recently refurbished site offering all main dealer services for sales, service and parts including MOT's and

Hidsons (Rainham)
Member since 28 March 2024
Gillingham

As a family owned and run business serving the motorists of Kent for over 55 years, we pride ourselves on the level of customer service we are able to offer our customers

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Head Gasket in Chatham
Frequently asked questions
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What is a Head Gasket?

The Head Gasket is the gasket (thin sheet of metal creating a perfect seal) that sits between the engine block and the cylinder head (the section of the engine which fits over the cylinders).
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What is a 'blown' Head Gasket?

A blown Head Gasket means that the seal between the cylinders and the other parts of the engine (most commonly the cooling system) has been broken. This can lead to rough running and, moer significantly, overheating, which can cause significant engine damage.
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What are blown Head Gasket symptoms?

If the car is overheating, running poorly, allowing exhaust gases into the radiator (which may cause a bubbling sound) or has a white 'mayonnaise-like' gunk on the underside of the oil filler cap, it is likely that the Head Gasket has blown.
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Will a Head Gasket 'sealer' work?

There are products on the market to seal a blown head gasket but we don't recommend them. They may provide a temporary fix but can block your cooling system, thus causing further damage.
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How much does Head Gasket repair cost?

The Head Gasket itself is a cheap part (usually under £50), but there is a lot of labour involved in dismantling, changing and reassembling. You can expect to pay a minimum of 350, rising depending on the complexity and layout of your car's engine.
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Can you drive with a blown head gasket?

If you must drive with a blown head gasket you technically can, however by no means does this mean you actually should. A blown head gasket can cause all sorts of problems especially an overheated engine and coolant mixing with oil which can seriously damage the engines components such as the camshaft and the bearings.
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How to know if my head gasket is blown

This is a diagnosis that may require some time. Indicators include 1) An oil or coolant leak at the seam between the engine block and the cylinder. 2) Cylinder misfire or misfire on start up accompanied by a puff of white exhaust smoke. 3) Over heating (can be rather subtle). 4) The mixing of coolant and oil which will present itself as a creamy milky texture.

Average rating for  Head Gasket in Chatham bookings

4.71

7 reviews

What is a Head Gasket?

A head gasket is effectively a seal which is essential for maintaining the temperature and integrity of a car engine. It's a part responsible for sealing pressure within the engine as well as the distribution of oil and coolant.

Every time you turn on your engine the head gasket has to operate within very high temperatures and pressures, which is exactly what it is designed to do. The engine of your car needs to be cooled constantly as it relies on combustion for power and the head gasket is the core component in performing this job.

If the head gasket is damaged, the engine will quickly overheat and serious damage will be caused. Overheating in the engine of your car will lead to a loss of compression, the mixing of oil, water, coolant as well as a reduction in lubrication.

The head gasket is a very complex piece of equipment and so a variety of materials are needed to build it. It has to be able to withstand and function normally at extreme temperatures and pressure, it also needs to be resistant to all of the chemicals and oils which rush around your car engine.

As a result, each gasket from one car to the next is different as the demands of each engine are unique. Car manufacturers like Ford, Vauxhall and BMW spend millions of pounds every year in the research and development of head gaskets to help manage the pressure and cooling of engines.

Unfortunately, if you need a head gasket repairing, it will be on the more expensive side. However, if you follow the advice below you can learn how to recognise problems with your gasket before something serious happens.

Signs that your Head Gasket needs Replacing or Repairing

  • Overheating engine
  • Your temperature gauge is higher than usual
  • White milky oil
  • White smoke from the exhaust pipe
  • Significant loss of coolant with no visible leaks
  • There is coolant or oil on the head of the spark plugs
  • You remove the cap from your car radiator and see bubbles of air rising
  • Your car is chugging or suffers a loss of power
  • There is oil in the water of the cooling system

There are other signs to look out for but unless you are a trained mechanic it will be difficult to spot them which is why it is so important that you have your car checked if you suspect there is an issue.

As mentioned above, if a head gasket blows, it can be a costly repair for you as a huge increase in temperature throughout the engine could very easily cause a range of other issues.

If you need a head gasket repair or if you think you might have an issue with the unit, it is vital that you pay attention to the issue, if you ignore the signs above and the gasket blows while you are driving this could cause serious threat to your safety.

Head Gasket Replacement Cost

A blown head gasket repair can be quite costly for any driver, no matter what car you drive. There is no easy head gasket fix and so you will need to get an experienced mechanic to take a look. The scale does vary for a head gasket repair when looking at different card brands. For a Mercedes, pricing is over £700 on average whereas for a Fiat the price is around £355 on average.

Get Your Head Gasket Repaired or Replaced with WhoCanFixMyCar

Finding a mechanic you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy which is why we have simplified the process.

We work with a network of over 10,000 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive head gasket repair deals for you.

To get the best Head Gasket Repair available in your region;

  1. Enter your car registration number
  2. Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
  3. We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area

You can then compare the quotes and read reviews from previous customers to find the best head gasket deal in your area, before booking the Head Gasket Replacement or Repair online.

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