TobyMellin Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Hi Guys The head gasket went on my '99 Defender TD5 on Saturday, so I dropped it at my local Land Rover specialist and I got a call off him tonight and he has confirmed the head gasket has gone. He has quoted me £700 to skim, test and re assemble the head (new gaskets, bolts etc). How reasonable is that? Or is it a rip off? Thanks in advance Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocky Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Two years or so ago I had a quote from the main agents to skim the head and replace the gasket on my 300tdi and they wanted the best part of £800. Needless to say I did it myself--took me seven hours of labour and about £90 for the the pressure test and skim. Regards, rocky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy andy. Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I thought you could not skim a Td5 head? Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 I've read this aswel, apparently it says this in the manual that you can't, but numerous people have said they have skimmed them with no problem. I just don't know whether to let the garage get on with it, or whether to get some advice from other garages? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy andy. Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Why not give Turners a ring. I have never used or spoken to them, but everyone says they are brilliant. http://turner-engineering.co.uk/ Andy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Why not give Turners a ring. I have never used or spoken to them, but everyone says they are brilliant. http://turner-engineering.co.uk/ Andy Cheers Andy, I'll give them a call tomorrow Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben_J85JTY Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I had mine skimmed 2 years ago with no ill effects. I sent mine to a local specialist, telling them it was the Head Gasket. They decided it was the Thermostat, then the Rad, and finally accepted it was the head after al that didn't work. Cost me £1300 quid in the end. Still, should be good for another 130k now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben_J85JTY Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Forgot to add, whan they do it make sure they replace the plastic dowels with steel ones, it should stop the problem ever happening again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 whan they do it make sure they replace the plastic dowels with steel ones, it should stop the problem ever happening again. Yep already told them that will need doing. I was planning on a v8 conversion, this is looking more probable now. Thanks for the advice guys Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben_J85JTY Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 Oh, if you do keep the TD5 get them to replace the injector loom too, extra £30 in parts but no extra labour and no oil in the loom problem (for a while anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 12, 2011 Author Share Posted September 12, 2011 Oh, if you do keep the TD5 get them to replace the injector loom too, extra £30 in parts but no extra labour and no oil in the loom problem (for a while anyway) The chap I bought it off had replaced the whole engine loom prior to me buying it, but for £30, they may aswel bang a new injector loom whilst they're at it. Cheers Guys Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted September 12, 2011 Share Posted September 12, 2011 I thought I read on here that certain Td5s couldn't have the steel dowels fitted? Or rather that only a certain VIN range could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 I was spectical about this aswel, but Western confirmed mine could have and even supplied me with a part number Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Skim and crack test is around £100, gasket and bolts around another £45, so £555 for labour, Autodata state 3.65 hours to do the job, but the reality will be more like 4.5 hours. £100+ per hour smells of dealership prices - garage prices are usually around the £45 per hour mark, so I would say too expensive. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sas pinkie Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Do you have the skills to remove the head yourself? If so, I think I would wnat to remove it and send it off to be crack tested and/or skimmed my self. I have had experiences with Td5 where what I thought was head gasket was actually cylinder head, and that will be the healthy part of £2000 for a new one. If you have found out it has cracked before parting with any serious cash you still have the option of the v8 route if its cracked...... If its ok, then take the vehicle and new head to the garage and just pay them to fit it....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Do you have the skills to remove the head yourself? If so, I think I would wnat to remove it and send it off to be crack tested and/or skimmed my self. I have had experiences with Td5 where what I thought was head gasket was actually cylinder head, and that will be the healthy part of £2000 for a new one. If you have found out it has cracked before parting with any serious cash you still have the option of the v8 route if its cracked...... If its ok, then take the vehicle and new head to the garage and just pay them to fit it....... I've never removed a head before...and apparently doing a TD5 as your first isn't recommended? I'm not one for being scared of taking things apart, and if it's going to save me £555 in labour costs then I'd rather have a go! If the cylinder head has cracked, then I'll more than likely be doing an engine swap. Thanks Guys Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 If someone stripped their engine down and then asked me to put it back together again I'd be inclined to tell them to bugger off Amateurs doing half the job can turn it into a nightmare. A bag of all the various bolts sitting in the footwell is the most stupid thing I can think of off the top of my head. Things just bent out of the way instead of being removed, parts removed that don't have to, etc, etc, et-bluddy-cetera. Did this once on a 4.6 P38 (I came home and it was just dumped on my drive). One head removed, and everything in boxes and bags of bits on the front seats. What a nightmare that was to do . If you can't put it together - don't take it apart. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzie1989 Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 If you can take the head and all associated bits off, you should be able to put it back together in theory! Do you have anyone you can ask to help and give them some beer tokens etc? I find a helping voice (if not a helping hand) helps in the old confidence department! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TobyMellin Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Everything's sorted now Guys, got in touch with an old friend who's doing whole job, including parts, skim and test for £300, which is £400 lees than the garage! Thanks for the advice! Toby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted September 15, 2011 Share Posted September 15, 2011 £400 saving - nice one Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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