Got a Magna TP wagon with a suspected blown head gasget or head. Rough running under load (vibrations through steering wheel and general rough running under load but tick over okay (some minor coolant loss)

Anyway gargae says they detected hydrocarbons in cooling system but I suspect I've always had a small loss!

To cut to the chase the garage has quted $1100 for gasket replacement if its that. $3000 for an recon engine and so the list goes on.

I was wondering how hard is it to inspect the gasget and replace it myself? Have looked at many posts but all seem to assume a level of knowledge. Is their a set of instructions apart from the Haynes manual I've got which for a novice is not that easy. Surely its a set proceedure of remove this then that? Pics would be great.

thats a very expensive quote! unless he suspects its not just the gasket.
better off to go buy a gregorys manual and ittl tell ya how to take it off.
a gasket set from memory is only about $40 at most car stores, like supercheap, repco or autobarn.
i would definatly get another quote if you want it done by a mechanic.

vrs kit (all the gaskets needed ) was about 140 last time i looked, head reco and pressure test would be about 210 depending on were u go, 2nd hand working heads can also be gotten for around the 200 mark eaily

to change it you will need a tourque wrench, and socket set, if ure not that good at mechanics i would get u to get a mate who knows a bit to help you the first time, its not to difficult with the gregories, there just a few things u need to be carfull with, 1100 to change a gasket is rediculous

$1100 for a head gasket replacement? wat the hell are they on?

i got my VRS gasket kit from supercheap (mate works there, so mates rates) which has all the gaskets for the engine. ive replaced bout 4 head gaskets on my car myself, and im not the most mechanically minded. its pretty easy to do.

all u do is take the manifolds off, tappet cover off, undo head bolts, take head off, scrape all gasket off surfaces and clean with some metho (or something with alcohol in it to evaporate quick) put gasket on and do up head bolts to torque ratings 50,80,98. (will say this on the VRS gasket kit anyway)

i cant see labour being $1000 or so... thats stupid.

i got a complete gasket kit for the TM from supercheap and it was $75

i still need a torque wrench and socket set tho :doubt:

i bought a torque wrench from supercheap for $35. I went a few places to price these and they started at around $20 at supercheap (basic needle type, big and bulky) to $350 for super dooper one at bursons. I thought about it for a few days and decided to try the $35 smallish one from supercheap.

i change the intake manifold gasket on my KR verada (yes, i know wrong group) and it worked pretty good to me. Given the range quoted in the Haynes manual I have the accuracy of the torque wrench I did not see as a big problem.

i bought a torque wrench from supercheap for $35. I went a few places to price these and they started at around $20 at supercheap (basic needle type, big and bulky) to $350 for super dooper one at bursons. I thought about it for a few days and decided to try the $35 smallish one from supercheap.

i change the intake manifold gasket on my KR verada (yes, i know wrong group) and it worked pretty good to me. Given the range quoted in the Haynes manual I have the accuracy of the torque wrench I did not see as a big problem.

torque wrench's freak me out. I hate looking at the needle to hit that certain number and then SNAP!!!! :shock: Bolt brakes before hitting it.

This one isnt the needle type. It 'clicks' and releases when it gets to set torque. Much better way to go.

i bought a torque wrench from supercheap for $35. I went a few places to price these and they started at around $20 at supercheap (basic needle type, big and bulky) to $350 for super dooper one at bursons. I thought about it for a few days and decided to try the $35 smallish one from supercheap.

i change the intake manifold gasket on my KR verada (yes, i know wrong group) and it worked pretty good to me. Given the range quoted in the Haynes manual I have the accuracy of the torque wrench I did not see as a big problem.

yeah i seen that one, the socket attachment is too small for the sidchrome set i have access to,

im i donno if i should get the cheap torque wrench and socket set to fit, or get a decent torque wrench, im leaning toward the 2nd one.

I am sure there is definate benefit to getting a better quality torque wrench. The major problem with cheaper tools is how long they last and not whether they do the job. I am sure that if I had spent $350 on one it would last a lifetime. Better accuracy would also be a plus in this case too.

I am not planning on a DIY rebuild just yet, so mine is only used for the external things (that most people I know dont use a torque wrench for at all).

I use mine with the el cheapo $10 socket set I got from supercheap a long while ago. Definately got $10 worth out of those puppies.

Head gasket jobs on the Astron are very easy, if you know what you are doing you can do one in an afternoon - I have NFI why you were quoted $1100, that seems excessive to me for a few hours work.