How long to change head gaskets?

mx5v8 · Post by **mx5v8** » Sun May 27, 2012 6:08 pm

Due to going on holiday and work commitments I entrusted my car to a 'trusted' mechanic to changed the head gaskets on my Rover V8 engine. On picking my car up I was shocked to find out how many hours he had charged me and when I got home discovered I had developed an oil leak, which when I phoned up about said it was the rear crank seal that had gone and nothing to do with him. The fans had also packed up which he said was due to corrosion, which is odd as I replced the fans and connectors two weeks ago, took me 5 minutes to find a connector that he must have pulled off.
I have two questions
1) How long would it take a competent mechanic to change two head gaskets and put it all back together
2) Why would a crank gasket go, if the oil filter wasn't primed would that cause any undue pressure
Any input appreciated, first time I've got a mehanic to work on my car in 5 years would have been cheaper to take time off work.
Actually got another question how hard /easy is it to change a crank seal
Cheers Andy

ChrisJC · Post by **ChrisJC** » Sun May 27, 2012 9:10 pm

Oil leak is most likely the valley gasket, leaking down the rear of the engine, given that's going to have been changed as part of the new head gaskets.

What car is it in?

I would expect to spend 8 hours if I was doing my Range Rover.

Chris.

ian.stewart · Post by **ian.stewart** » Sun May 27, 2012 9:38 pm

I would go with the rear valley gasket, possibly the rubber seal has not been siliconed in the corners when putting it back together, How long to do the gaskets, how hard are the exhausts manifolds to get off, they generally are the bugbear of stripping the top off, Once manifolds are off, I would think no more than 2 hours to do both sides

stevieturbo · Post by **stevieturbo** » Sun May 27, 2012 11:35 pm

Time is going to depend on the vehicle, and actual level of work done.

Why were the head gaskets changed ? Did the heads require skimming ?

What is access like ? Is it likely any exhaust bolts were corroded or seized, both of which are time consuming.

Some cars might be very easy, others could be a total nightmare.

mx5v8 · Post by **mx5v8** » Mon May 28, 2012 6:03 am

Head gaskets were changed because of a very small water seepage from one corner no damage or other work needed doing. Engine is in a MX5 easy access to heads. It's not the valley gaskets thats where I checked first, I actually told him to make sure he put enough sealant in the corners to make sure they don't leak.
The engine was only built three years ago and has done about 6000 miles so all nice and clean and nothing awkward to deal with.
Andy