Head Gasket Quotes - South East

[GICarey]

Hi Folks,

been phoning round for quotes to get the head gasket (hopefully not the head, but, never know) done in the South East (I'm in Letchworth, Herts, but no garages with Bongo experience are), thought i'd post the various quotes incase people in a similar situation are interested, I've seen various figures quoted on the forums, my quotes all appear to be towards the higher end (location, location, location?)

Discount Trucks
Friendly chap, spoke for about 20 mins, clearly knows his Bongos.

Quoted about £900 for the head gasket job (plus about £300 if new head required)

However recommended an engine swap out, as has had a few where the head & gasket have been changed, only for symptoms to return shortly (~1000km so or) after without showing a failed gasket/head (put down to failed block?). £1250 + vat for a sub-120k km engine taken from another vehicle or imported directly, serviced, cambelt changed and fitted, along with a gearbox & diff fluid change. Recommend new water pump if not been done recently also.

Opinion that if the gasket is gone, it's probably damaged the head.

Lakeshide
gave a good description of the work which would be carried out and what was included in the price (pressure text & skim, new bolts, parts, labout & vat, cambelt & filters changed, etc).

Quoted £930 inc vat

Opinion that the heads are quite tough and that, from description of my issue expects it to be fine.

ASG
local to me, and on the list, but not discussed in these forums. Again, nice guy, willing to talk for a while, admitted to not having done a Bongo gasket before, said won't really know much until the head is off and they can take a look.

Quoted about £900, or £1800 to £2000 if the gasket had gone & new head needed. Mentioned might be better to pick up a recon engine, probably available for about £900 and quoted £600 - £700 to fit.

Option told me he understands the head generally cracks when the gasket goes.




And, that's my lot. Interested in anyones thoughts or comments? I'll probably make my decision in the next day or so and get it towed in!

Thanks,

Gav.

[missfixit70]

Lakeside's comment that the heads are tough is worrying, load of rubbish IMO, Discount Trucks seems the most sensible to me.

[westonwarrior]

Got mine done a Bell Hill they said that its rare for the gasket to go and not the head too


I know some will come back with a story of how theirs was a gasket only but it seams they are lucky

is that 1200 from discount trucks "all in" and guarenteed I think id grab that its alot cheaper than my new head was

[GICarey]

OK, so, per other thread, finally made up my mind & the Bongo has gone off today on the back of a Tow Truck to Discount Trucks in Newbury where it'll have a replacement engine dropped in, I should have it back in a couple of weeks & then I can get out there and enjoy the summer (planning a trip down to Cornwall in the Bongo with dog & misses, taking 3 or 4 days to get there)

Fingers crossed, and apologies, in advance, to my wallet!

G.

[kelv]

(planning a trip down to Cornwall in the Bongo with dog & misses, taking 3 or 4 days to get there)


G.

What, you walking there pushing the Bongo in front of you or summat
3 or 4 Days !