Been told got to have the CAM BELT and HEAD GASKET changed on my car
Do you think this will be expensive??
Is it bad??
2006-08-22 05:42:47 · 21 answers · asked by schmushe 6 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Its a 1998 Ford Escort 1.8 GTi
2006-08-22 05:44:18 · update #1
The cost depends on where you have the work done - an official dealer is likely to charge MUCH more than a small independent garage. Make sure you get a firm quote FIRST!!
I assume that the head gasket has to be changed because it has blown - make sure they check that no further damage has been done to the engine. If you continue to drive a car with a blowing head gasket it can ruin your engine.
So far as the cam belt is concerned, it has probably been contaminates by oil etc, so should be changed. Even if it was OK, unless it was changed very recently, you shold change it, because if it was to fail, your engine would be totally ruined - bad news and very expensive.
Sorry if this is depressing....
2006-08-22 05:53:35 · answer #1 · answered by aarcue 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Back when I had a ford escort (hated the car) I had to have the gasket and timing belt fixed. The gasket was leaking oil onto the cam belt, weakening it till it broke. First place I took it to cost $250. Then 3 weeks later it happened again. Took it to another place,( they claim the first tightened the gasket too much)and that cost just under $200. Now, that was 15 years ago but I can not believe the prices have gone up that much.
2006-08-22 06:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the "cam belt" is better known as the timing chain or timing belt. Over time, just like anything else, they can wear and break. If you wait till it breaks, you're in big trouble. You can end up with bent valves, and it will be more expensive to repair.
Did they tell you why you needed to change your head gasket? Are you overheating? Oil in your coolant? How many miles does your car have??
Sidenote - $3500?? OMG...they saw you coming! LOL
2006-08-22 05:53:34 · answer #3 · answered by Mark R 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're just having it changed for preventive maintenance, no it is not expensive. Usually less than $200. Now if you're having problems and have a blown head gasket and the heads have been warped then you're looking at around $600.
2006-08-22 05:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by bighampjr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes about 300 for head gasket and they can do the cam belt for about 200
2006-08-22 05:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by john 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The head gasket is expensive because it takes a lot of work to get to it. It can be as much as $1,000.
2006-08-22 05:51:18 · answer #6 · answered by TC 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The head gasket is going to mean they have to take apart the top end of your engine! Very expensive and very bad if it doesn't get fixed.
2006-08-22 05:50:18 · answer #7 · answered by kenny_the_bomb 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it really matters what kind of car you drive.. but i don't think the belt will cost much at all but the head gasket..not sure, can be expensive i heard, but not as expensive as changing a clutch haah.
2006-08-22 05:49:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It may be somewhat expensive. It will be a whole lot more expensive if the cam belt breaks.
2006-08-22 05:50:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had to have the head gasket repaired in my Mitsubishi Eclipse, and it was around $3500.00. It all depends on the car and how complicated it is to get to the source of the problem. Good luck!
2006-08-22 05:51:05 · answer #10 · answered by yfalmartin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋