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Recommended shop/person for head gasket replacement?

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Old 10-23-2012, 02:07 PM
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Recommended shop/person for head gasket replacement?
Hi there,

I've been getting quotes from various shops around SF and the prices seem ridiculously high for the amount of work required to replace a head gasket (I have a 2002 WRX). If I had a engine crane I would be happy to do it myself. Anyone know of a place they recommend with fair pricing ?

Thanks
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:08 PM
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how much have you been quoted?
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:20 PM
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Lot of labor, so not surprising that shops are quoting a lot. If you are so inclined, engine hoists aren't that expensive, at least not compared to what you are probably being quoted. Pretty sure you can rent hoists too.
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 04GG
Lot of labor, so not surprising that shops are quoting a lot. If you are so inclined, engine hoists aren't that expensive, at least not compared to what you are probably being quoted. Pretty sure you can rent hoists too.
hmmm, not a bad idea to rent one.
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:30 PM
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Originally Posted by chochocho
how much have you been quoted?
Most are near 1k just for labor. I've seen threads here where people (outside of Bay Area) get their done for 600-700 for Parts and Labor ....
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:33 PM
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aren't you suppose to resurface the heads?
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Old 10-23-2012, 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by zzzzz
Most are near 1k just for labor. I've seen threads here where people (outside of Bay Area) get their done for 600-700 for Parts and Labor ....
Unfortunately, that sounds about right. Had a similar experience in the price difference with a timing belt on one of my other cars. Quoted $800 here and got it done for $450 in Redding where the car already was.
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:01 PM
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by zzzzz
Most are near 1k just for labor. I've seen threads here where people (outside of Bay Area) get their done for 600-700 for Parts and Labor ....
Any place that does it for $600 is going to cut corners, or has some sort of unknown by anyone else efficient way to do it.
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:35 PM
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^This! Don't go cheap or at least cheap labor/quality, you'll end up having to do it again if you do. Go with a reputable shop and do it right. With that said, Rob's Machine Shop that GST uses does excellent work.
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Old 10-23-2012, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by joltdudeuc
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Old 10-23-2012, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by joltdudeuc
Any place that does it for $600 is going to cut corners, or has some sort of unknown by anyone else efficient way to do it.
Shops out of the area often have a much lower overhead than those here, so they can charge lower rates for labor using the same parts. In my other car they used all OEM parts just like the shop I use here and they did a great job, so no complaints.

$600 still seems low.
Last edited by 04GG; 10-23-2012 at 04:10 PM.
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Old 10-23-2012, 05:05 PM
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Good luck with a $600 head gasket job! Hell even the guys quoting you $1k for labor is a great deal as long as its done right.

-- Ed
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Old 10-23-2012, 05:54 PM
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Old 10-23-2012, 11:40 PM
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i would give speedelement a call
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