Average price for D2 4.6 head gasket job?

[Blue]

My "argument" is only that shops charge what they do for a reason. I am a firm believer in DIY repairs but some people are better off leaving certain things to skilled tradesmen. I didn't put the roof on my house, even though by the time I did it twice I could have saved a few bucks.

This is my perspective as well. I enjoy electrical work and I have no problem crawling around the attic wiring up lights, ceiling fans, etc. But plumbing? I freakin hate plumbing, which is why I just paid a guy $140 to completely re-plumb my leaking kitchen sink plumbing with a new faucet and garbage disposal that I supplied.

I have done suspension and brakes several times on my two Rovers (the old '96 and now my '04) but I actually enjoy that kind of work. Spending a nice cool spring Saturday morning with my coffee and all my tools and new parts spread out in the garage is very enjoyable to me.

When it comes to dismantling the engine I'm perfectly comfortable admitting that this level of work is beyond my current skills. I also find absolutely no enjoyment in trying to cram my big hands into incredibly tight spaces so that I can dismantle part A so that I can access part B, which must be dismantled to access part C, then part D, then part E...etc. I know that I could do the proper level of research and eventually do it myself but it would take so much time that I don't see the benefit in investing my time in something that I wouldn't enjoy.

If I enjoy it then it is not work. If I don't enjoy it then it is work and I have to assign a per-dollar value to my time. My own personal time value is higher than their shop time charge, and it would take me at least twice the amount of time it would take the shop so therefore it makes sense to pay the shop.

Thanks for all the input. It sounds like $1700 isn't a bad price. I'm headed out of town for a week but when I get back I'm taking the D2 to another local Rover shop for a 2nd opinion and price on HG if that is indeed the culprit. I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[EJB90]

I haven't read through this entire thread but does anyone else find it strange that the head gaskets are leaking only 25,000 miles after the last job? To me that's a little concerning.

You've got a pretty good price quoted though. Up here in Connecticut a head gasket job would cost you close to $3000. That's what the dealer wanted and what an indie rover specialty shop wanted. I ended up doing it myself. Cost under $200 for parts and I believe $300-$400 for the head resurfacing.

I agree with the perspective of leaving some things to professionals. Before doing my HG I never fathomed taking apart the engine. I did the job because decided it was not worth dumping 3 grand into the car that's worth not much more than that at the time- so I didn't have a whole lot to lose. Overall I'm really happy I did the job myself and found it to be an educationally rewarding experience.

I can obviously understand you not wanting to tear down your engine and to be honest it is quite time consuming if you're like me and not one of the experienced LR gurus on the site . I assume you're working and this is your daily driver, so having it done by a shop probably makes more sense. $1700 isn't a bad price either. Again though- I would be wondering why this needs another HG job just 25,000 miles later. I would be sure to thoroughly investigate your coolant loss before jumping to conclusions.

 

[jymmiejamz]

These cars had head gasket leaks when under factory warranty, I'm not surprised the head gaskets are leaking again...

 

[brianhoberg]

question, reading up on this, what is the big difference between doing the HG job for a non-SAI and doing it for an SAI block? Are there other components to remove, work around, and replace? I'm going to have to do this on mine before years end, so I'm wondering.

 

[Blue]

yep, all the SAI crap will be in the way (mine of course is blessed with SAI)

 

[jymmiejamz]

I think the book time is 1-2 hours longer for a SAI truck. Its a pain in the ass, and you better hope the plastic hose from the pump doesn't break because they are discontinued as far as I know. I think for 03/04 they moved the motor back an inch or two which also makes it more of a pain in the ass, but I dont know that for a fact.

 

[carlosz]

northern va, now a days ihave decided to work independently but im land rover factory certified or at least was until i quit working at dealer.
in any chance the shop's labor rate for non sai 12.0 hrs.. sai 14.0 @ 98.00p/hfor head gaskets plus machine work including valve job and head work as nescessary ie guides seats valves and redecking...add parts including coolant oil and filter.
all together somewhere around 2600 bucks with a 3 month 3000 mile warranty.

 

[jymmiejamz]

all together somewhere around 2600 bucks with a 3 month 3000 mile warranty.

That's not a very good warranty.

 

[adriatic04]

northern va, now a days ihave decided to work independently but im land rover factory certified or at least was until i quit working at dealer.
in any chance the shop's labor rate for non sai 12.0 hrs.. sai 14.0 @ 98.00p/hfor head gaskets plus machine work including valve job and head work as nescessary ie guides seats valves and redecking...add parts including coolant oil and filter.
all together somewhere around 2600 bucks with a 3 month 3000 mile warranty.

if I paid 2600 for this and got a 3 mo. warranty I wouldnt be selecting that for my service location.

 

[BenDronsick]

We did ours for around $500.

 

[wiscodisco]

Dealer over here in Northern Wisconsin, Appleton area, is cheap in comparison to what you guys are posting...HG's without head resurfacing, about $1,600 with a 1 year warranty.

 

[mainerova]

adding to costs...$2400 from the LR dealer here. looks about right

 

[Drillbit]

For a dealer that's cheap, make sure they are doing everything and warranting the work. For a head job that's about right from and indy shop.

 

[barnescole]

i was quoted by the hunt valley, md dealer over the phone $3700. i called the annapolis, md dealer and was quoted $2700. i called harrisburg, pa and got $2300.

i did it for about $650.00 including new wires, plugs, thermostat, and a few hoses. also rewrapped the cheap plastic loom.

after its all said and done, i think its absurd to quote 3700, even 2700 for this job. the hardest part of the whole job was the damn spark plug wires!

 

[wheelen disco]

Dealer over here in Northern Wisconsin, Appleton area, is cheap in comparison to what you guys are posting...HG's without head resurfacing, about $1,600 with a 1 year warranty.

Appelton isn't Norther Wisconsin, Ashland and superior would have been ok

 

[jymmiejamz]

For a dealer that's cheap, make sure they are doing everything and warranting the work. For a head job that's about right from and indy shop.

FWIW I think we charge $2,500. I would think that all dealers would warranty their work.

 

[mainerova]

dealer did hg, intake mg, serp belt, plugs, oil, coolant, machined heads and new air filter box(clamps were broken off)

for $2450

they had a "march labor rate sale"

Im very impressed

thanks to all who have contributed to this thread dealing more with costs than the DIY.

Mark

 

[Tugela]

That's still > 3 times more than what it cost me to do all those things (except the filter box), but for a dealership I think that is an excellent price. May your engine run cool and happy for many tens of thousands of miles.

 

[mainerova]

Thanks!