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Head Gasket Replacement Cost
Replace the seal between the engine block and cylinder head.
$1,500 – $3,500
Parts vs Labor
15% / 85%
Typical share of total cost
Labor Time
8 to 20 hours
At a typical shop
Difficulty
Shop Only
5 of 5
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Honda CivicHonda AccordHonda CR-VToyota CamryToyota CorollaToyota RAV4Toyota TacomaFord F-150Ford EscapeFord ExplorerChevy SilveradoChevy EquinoxNissan AltimaNissan RogueJeep Grand CherokeeJeep WranglerRam 1500Subaru OutbackSubaru ForesterHyundai ElantraKia SorentoBMW 3 SeriesMercedes C-ClassAudi A4Lexus RXTesla Model 3
Common Symptoms
White smoke from exhaust
Coolant in the oil (milky on dipstick)
Oil in the coolant
Overheating with no visible leak
Bubbles in the coolant reservoir
What It Is
The head gasket seals the engine block to the cylinder head, keeping oil, coolant, and combustion gases in their proper places.
Why It Matters
A blown head gasket can lead to a warped head, hydrolocked engine, or complete engine failure. The fix is labor-intensive but often cheaper than a new engine.
How to Save Money on Head Gasket Replacement
- Get a compression and leakdown test before approving the job, the symptoms can also come from a cracked head
- On older cars, get a quote for a used engine swap too, sometimes it's cheaper
Often Done Together
Shops commonly pair head gasket replacement with these jobs to save on overlapping labor:
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Check My Quote FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Is a blown head gasket worth fixing?
Depends on the car's value. If the repair costs more than half the car's worth, consider a used engine or selling as-is.