What is the cost of having blown head gaskets replaced on a V6 Verada.
Cheers

A simple question with a complex answer. Usually the head gaskets only let go if there are other problems in the motor, like corrosion or cracks in the head.

Need to check for oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil, and a compression test to confirm it first. Once you open up a motor it's going to cost, even if there is nothing wrong with the head gaskets.

Manifolds and heads need to come off. If there is corrosion on the heads they need to be welded, valve grind and new stem seals. If its a high mileage car you may find lots of wear on the bore (engine out, dismantle, rebore) , you may also want to do timing belt, idler and water pump. If there are compound problems when you open the motor, a second hand motor may be a cheaper option, IF you can find a low mileage one.

If it is due to corrosion you may need to be more aware of coolant use and timely replacement.

All up you need a VRS kit, maybe heads stripped and welded, lots of labour time at about $60 per hour. Possibly $1000 or upwards. Double that if you need a rebore, timing belt, idler and water pump.

Last time I did this job it was $1500 (Crank grind, rebore, new pistons, rings, bearings, head welding, new chains and guides - DIY, no labour costs) but that was about 10 years ago on a 4 cylinder Sigma engine.
Someone else (who has been through the process on a V6) is free to correct me though.

look at $2000 for both heads to be
pressure checked, faced, valve stems

then gaskets and labour

you may have to replace the timing belt or waterpump

if the motor has overheated the rings may have beed affected

Contact me buddy, I can look after for you and also have spare heads here that I can get done if yours are cracked

If you have blown both head gaskets, would be a good idea to find out why this has happened as is quite un usual for this to happen.

So we all agree then - it's not a cheap or quick job. But when he says "I've blown both head gaskets" might he just mean "my car isn't running well"? The ACTUAL problem needs investigating!! Giving us some symptoms of what the car is doing wrong would be a BIG help! Over to you, gab73.

Thanks for the reply's, by blown head gaskets i mean i suspect 1 is leaking (water in oil, no oil in water).
Need to add apprx 2ltrs of water every day.
Has a slight miss on idle, like its dropping a cylinder but clears up after take off
Did a compression test.
1-165
2-185
3-170
4-155
5-170
6-180
Will contact Madmagna tommorrow.
Cheers

use kpa dammit we are metric now, I'm guessing you've only done one, if two thats amazingly bad. bubbles in radiator?

you drop 30 at the most, my guess is you've got worn seals, maybe bad timing?

My three weeks at TAFE tells me its not a HG....

oh and check all your hoses, if you had 2L of water in your block every day, you'd know about it.

Sounds more like a cracked head or a softened head that allowed the exhaust guide at the number 4 piston to move, allowing some water into the oil gallery but dumping most of it into the exhaust system. Dropping a cylinder when starting but clearing quickly I have come across before, when an exhaust valve guide moved. Was the number 4 plug red/brown when you pulled it for the compression test? It indicates water is leaking into the cylinder, causing surface rust on the bore and rings.

A strip down will reveal all!

You'll be looking at around $2000-$2200 including labour.

If i was in the same position, i'd use that $2000 to buy another KS Verada.
Or if your car still has long rego left, go to the wreckers and get a second hand engine for around $400 and have it fitted for you for around $500. Much cheaper.

I have sent you my number, will chat to you soon about this