headgasket broken, what to do

[aston]

The gasket is gone on my petrol mondeo, it's a 1.8 52 reg so worth about £1k, the mot will be due in 2 or 3 months and it needs bushes and more for that, it's spotless and a cracking car, I have 4 cars to choose from but the Mondeo is my favourite, so comfy and agile etc.
i really don't know what to do as really i need a diesel for the miles i now commute (100 a day). Too good to scrap but possibly too expensive to repair, Any ideas how much it would cost to replace a head gasket on a mondeo? Cheers all

 

[HDi fun]

Depends if the block or head has overheated as a result.

A simple gasket replacement should be doable within £200-£300 I think.

If it's overheated the engine and caused warping then it probably bye bye car. Then again, if everything else is in good order it might be prudent to have the work done.

Any idea what caused the HG to fail?

 

[stamford]

Nothing to lose in stripping it and seeing the extent of the work required. Then take a view.

 

[thexav]

Advertise it for spares or break it yourself. You'll still get reasonable money for the chassis and metal off a scrap dealer.

If you can buy another for £1000 then it will probably be the better option rather than reparing it if the repair costs are going to run to £7-800. If it can be reparied and MOT'd for £500 then it's worth doing from my POV.

 

[bigbadjoe]

Can't see it being £800. I know a few people who have had the same issue (sorry to say, all on rovers though) and there usual charge is arround £400. They are petrols though, but I now my old man needed on on his TD Escort van last year, and that set him back £450.

Sorry to hear about your motor. Its never good when they are ill.

 

[lutonmatt]

if you are handy on the tools do it your self are not bad jobs todo
morning work for me only when its in the workshop

 

[T9 man]

if you are handy on the tools do it your self are not bad jobs todo
morning work for me only when its in the workshop

Being handy with the tools is one thing, but what if the poor chaps eye is not as highly trained as yours LM to spot any possible damage that may have happened? and it all gets reassembled again for nothing because something has been missed. I think I would be inclined to keep it and have it repaired by a pro. If a problem is spotted by the mechanic then at least you will know for sure. If it HAS been a faithful old warhorse then repair it. A another nice car for a grand is no guarantee that all is well under the bonnet, and you would be back to square one!

Merely my own thoughts, as I hate to see a car let go if it is possible to save it!

 

[lutonmatt]

ya is that t9

but i have never had a mondeo head bow only skim rover heads
most of it is teh gaskets they make now are rubbish

 

[HDi fun]

Even if it's going to cost £500 it's still got to be better than replacing the car if everything else is good. At least it's known to you now and in all probability is likely to be pretty sound. £500 doesn't buy much of a car, let's face it.