How much does it cost to replace the head gasket on a Vauxhall Astra?

Since its launch, the Vauxhall Astra has regularly been one of the most popular car models in the UK. Part of its popularity stems from its reasonable price to buy, maintain and repair. But how much does one of the most expensive repairs; a head gasket replacement, cost?

How much does head gasket replacement cost on a Vauxhall Astra?

Replacing a head gasket on most Astra models ranges from £700 to £1,100, depending on the year and specific engine, and the type of garage you take it to. 

Some garages may be able to do it cheaper by not skimming the head, but this will depend on what happened during and after the head gasket failed.

Split the cost of a head gasket repair into monthly payments with Bumper's car repair finance.

What is a head gasket replacement?

The main casing of an engine is split into two parts, a block and a head. Between the two is a head gasket, a sealing layer that retains the high pressure gasses of the engine’s combustion, as well as allowing oil and coolant to flow between the head and block. 

During normal operation, this gasket prevents the mixing of oil, water and combustion gasses, and also ensures the high pressures involved in generating the engine's power are retained inside the cylinders. 

However, due to either time, manufacturing defects, or sometimes overheating issues, the head gasket can develop leaks. Once a small leak starts, the combustion pressures will force this open, causing a loss of power, and combustion of oil and/or coolant.

What affects the cost of a head gasket replacement?

Garage hourly rate

Head gasket jobs are fairly long and involved, often taking around 10 or more hours of workshop time. 

Main dealer garages will charge more than independents, meaning the overall cost can vary greatly depending on where you take the car for work. 

Head skimming

Sometimes a head gasket can blow because of an overheating problem, or a head gasket can cause an overheating issue. Either way, if an engine gets too hot, the head can warp. 

To ensure proper sealing, the head needs to be perfectly flat, this means it will need to be skimmed – a machining process where a small amount of material is removed, making the mating surface perfectly flat. 

Engine Type

A more complex engine will take more time to take apart and rebuild, performance engines often have extra components like turbos to take off too.

In cars with V6 or V8 engines, both head gaskets should really be changed at once, effectively doubling the labour time. Thankfully no Astra models came with anything other than an inline configured engine!

How to prevent a blown head gasket

One of the best ways to prevent head gasket issues is simply to properly maintain your car's engine, such as with regular oil servicing, and making sure the cooling system is working effectively.

This is because one of the most common causes for a blown head gasket is overheating, which can be caused by something as simple as a blown fuse in the radiator fan circuit, or a water pump failure.

What are the signs of a blown head gasket?

To reduce the cost of repairing, it is important to notice head gasket issues quickly, the following are symptoms of head gasket problems:

• Overheating - engine temperature regularly climbing above the neutral position is a bad sign, and can be a symptom of a blown head gasket or poor cooling system

• Milky residue in the oil - found under the oil filler cap, or on the dipstick, a mayonnaise looking substance can indicate that oil and coolant is mixing

• White exhaust smoke - coolant being burnt in the engine is a sure sign of a blown head gasket, which will present as white smoke exiting the exhaust system

• Coolant loss - as the point above, a dropping coolant level can indicate the coolant is leaking either into the combustion chambers or the oil

Repair your Astra head gasket with Bumper

If your Vauxhall, or any other brand or make of car, is in need of urgent or costly repairs, Bumper can help. Split the cost with an interest-free car repair loan.