Cylinder head gasket - Astra 1600 - How much ?

[windsorrob]

Mate of mine is getting rid of a 1996 Astra 1600. I'm after a cheap run around and it's immaculate for year etc... Only thing is, he says the cylinder head gasket has gone - steam from the exhaust being why he thinks this.

Not being that clued up on this - a few questions for anyone who is please :
If it is just the clyinder head gasket how much is an average garage likely to charge ?
Is it likely to have affected anything else ?
Are there any other tell tale signs to confirm it's the cylinder head ? Is the classic 'mayo' only present after some time ? (He stopped using it as soon as he noticed the steam )

Any info much appreciated.

[KITT]

windsorrob said:

Mate of mine is getting rid of a 1996 Astra 1600. I'm after a cheap run around and it's immaculate for year etc... Only thing is, he says the cylinder head gasket has gone - steam from the exhaust being why he thinks this.

Not necessarily. Many cars emit steam when you start them up. Does it do it all the time?

windsorrob said:

If it is just the clyinder head gasket how much is an average garage likely to charge ?

Around £400-£500. Gastet costs about £30, it's the labour that costs.

windsorrob said:

Is it likely to have affected anything else ?

As long as it's not overheated, it should be ok.

windsorrob said:

Are there any other tell tale signs to confirm it's the cylinder head ? Is the classic 'mayo' only present after some time ? (He stopped using it as soon as he noticed the steam )

If it's blown between the water channels and the cylinders then a compression check is the best way of telling. If the oil and water have mixed, then you'll get mayo.

[Pigeon]

KITT said:

windsorrob said: If it is just the clyinder head gasket how much is an average garage likely to charge ? Around £400-£500. Gastet costs about £30, it's the labour that costs.

Piece of piss to do it yourself though.

[KITT]

Pigeon said:

Piece of piss to do it yourself though.

Indeed