Header Background Image

Quickly find and book Head Gasket Repairs in Godalming

Looking for a garage to fix your Head Gasket Repairs in Godalming?

4.7* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: our average rating
4.7 out of 5 from 5486 reviews.

Don't know your vehicle registration?
Head Gasket Inspection

Looking for a garage to fix your Head Gasket Repairs in Godalming?

4.7* on Trustpilot

*Based on Trustpilot: out average rating
4.7 out of 5 from 5486 reviews.

happy man using his phone

14,131,353 happy drivers can’t be wrong.

“I’m always on the go, so booking my MOT on my phone was really useful.
I compared garages, picked the best one for me and even saved money, all whilst waiting for my morning coffee!”

4.7/5 based on over 5486 Trustpilot reviews*
* Based on Trustpilot: our average rating 4.7/5 from 5,486 reviews.
AA AUTOS LIMITED Logo
AA AUTOS LIMITED
PORTSMOUTH ROAD, GODALMING, GU7 2JN
54 Reviews

Loan Car

Collect & Deliver

Customer Drop-off

Visual Inspection FROM £0

Welcome to AA Autos Godalming, providing all round car care to Godalming and surrounding areas for over 13 years. Servicing and MOT Centre in Godalming, Surrey. Whether your vehicle needs routine service or emergency repair, you can trust our team of experts with over 20 years of main dealer exper...

JORDANS GARAGE LIMITED Logo
JORDANS GARAGE LIMITED
UNIT 1 THE RICKYARD, EASHING LANE, GODALMING, GU7 2QA
51 Reviews

Loan Car

Collect & Deliver

Customer Drop-off

Visual Inspection FROM £0

Jordans Garage in Godalming, operating for over 25 years, has established itself as one of the most qualified and reliable garages in Surrey. With a strong reputation built on years of experience, our team is dedicated to providing exceptional automotive services to our valued customers. Moreover, ...

Shortfield Garage Logo
Shortfield Garage
Mill Lane,, Godalming,, GU7 1EY
3 Reviews

Loan Car

Collect & Deliver

Customer Drop-off

Visual Inspection FROM £0

established in 2001 by brothers, Eddie and Andrew Parsons and Darren, (nephew) joined them in 2009. Amy Fullbrook, (Service Advisor) with them from the start, controls the work for a busy workshop of five staff with a wealth of knowledge on most vehicles. MOT to class 4 and full Diagnostic capabilit...

What is a head gasket?

The head gasket in your car separates the oil and the coolant in the engine. As its name suggests, it is a gasket, which is located between the cylinder head and the engine block - in the car’s engine. Its main function is to seal the cylinders to ensure the highest compression possible and separates the oil and water; oil to lubricate the engine and water to cool the engine. The head gasket also ensures that the whole internal combustion process is contained within the engine.

Why is a head gasket important?

The head gasket is a critical sealing component of your vehicle's engine. Any potential problem with your head gasket should be dealt with immediately as it can lead to more severe issues developing, which if ignored will increase the cost of your repairs. Once a head gasket is blown, it can cause further damage to your vehicle's engine such as leaks, loss of water, decreased fuel efficiency and overheating. The longer you drive with a blown head gasket, the more damage it will cause to your engine. In the worst cases scenario, if left for a long time you could be looking at a complete engine replacement. That's why you must book a head gasket repair promptly if you notice any of the following warning signs.

What causes head gasket problems?

The head gasket is a very important part of an engine. It can fail due to the engine overheating so it’s always important that you check your coolant level regularly (when the car has cooled down). If you are having to top up your coolant regularly and you can see no water leaks on the ground, then this is a sign that you have a head gasket problem and you should have this checked out as soon as possible. One of the main causes of a damaged head gasket is extremely high engine temperature, and an overheating engine temperature is often caused by a coolant leak. There could be other reasons behind a head gasket failure, including; incorrect coolant inhibitor, the cooling system not working efficiently causing hotspots between the centre cylinders, and pre-ignition problems.

How do you know if you have blown a head gasket?

Warning bells should be ringing if:

  • your car's coolant level warning light is on (if the car has one),
  • on checking coolant (when the engine is cold) - the level is very low, or if your engine is showing a very high temperature on the coolant temperature gauge (if fitted)
  • your vehicle is not running smoothly, or you see light coloured smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe or white discoloured oil on the engine oil level dipstick
These could all be signs of a blown head gasket and should be promptly seen to by a mechanic.

 

Can you drive your car with a blown head gasket?

If you suspect that your car has a blown head gasket, do not try to drive it and have it seen to by a mechanic promptly. They may need to have your car towed to their garage to diagnose the issue and either repair or replace the part(s).

How much does it cost to replace a head gasket?

Repairing and replacing a head gasket often requires:

  • A new gasket kit and replacement bolts.
  • Testing and flattening the cylinder head.
  • Replacement of oil filter, oil and ant-freeze.

 

Head gasket repairs will require the engine cylinder head being removed from the engine block as the gasket sits between these two components. The cylinder head may need to be resurfaced and new bolts will need to be fitted as they can stretch. The work will also involve changing the engine oil and coolant, and all water hoses will be checked at the same time.

If the cylinder head is cracked, it can sometimes be repaired by first being pressure-tested to detect any cracking or warping, which are the results of the high temperatures in which it operates, then being skimmed flat to return it to its proper shape.

As soon as you suspect that you may have a blown head gasket, you should get booked into a garage to have it replaced. The parts and labour costs will vary depending on the garage that you choose to take your car to. All of the above work will probably take a mechanic roughly six hours (depending on the severity) and you have to take this labour into consideration on top of the parts required. Each garage has its own hourly rate and if you enter your vehicle registration number and post code at the top of this page, you’ll be able to compare the labour rates, reviews, distance, and more from all of the top garages in your local area. This allows you to choose a garage that you can trust for a rough price point that is suitable for you.

How to be a better driver

Whether you’re driving in Godalming or further afield, think about road user etiquette. Showing respect for other road users makes driving more pleasant for you and safer for everyone. For example, if you have to make a last minute change of lane, make your request to change clear to the driver who will need to let you in - and signal your thanks if they do. Be ready to abandon the change of lane if they won’t play ball - your safety (and that of other drivers and pedestrians) is more important than getting to your destination in the shortest time possible. When the position is reversed and a driver asks your permission to change lanes, allow them to as long as it is safe. If you get frustrated, avoid using your horn - it won’t improve matters and might make them considerably worse.

Book Online Today!

Don't know your vehicle registration?
Head Gasket Inspection