One of the most costly vehicle repairs you could possibly do is to fix a head gasket. Because fixing the engine requires dismantling and reassembling all of the relevant parts, the price tag is in the hundreds of dollars.
At the same time, the task is beyond the capabilities of the average do-it-yourselfer who is enthusiastic about repairing small automotive problems. This is an occupation that only trained individuals should attempt. Consequently, the cost of labor is significantly more than the cost of the parts.
Head Gasket Repair and Replacement Cost
The intricacies of disassembling and reassembly make head gasket repair a laborious and often frustrating process. This is a key factor contributing to the high expense of the repair.
You can quickly and easily prepare a budget to replace your car’s head gasket if you have an idea of how much it will cost.
So, to get a good idea of how much components and labor for head gaskets can cost for different engine types and vehicle models, have a look at the table below. Repair costs for head gaskets on various vehicles are covered, including Chevy Cruzes, VW Passats, Nissan Altimas, and more.
The average cost to fix a cylinder head gasket in 2023 is $1500, with prices ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The following is a ballpark figure for the costs associated with replacing the head gasket.
| Car Models | Engine Types | Parts Cost (Approximately) | Labor Cost (Approximately) | Total Cost |
| 2011 Chevrolet Cruze | 1.8L four-cylinder engine | $360 | $1,179 | $1,539 |
| 2011 BMW 325i | 3.0L six-cylinder engine | $1,313 | $2,565 | $3,878 |
| 2014 BMW X1VW Passat | 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder engine | $575$589 | $2,595$1,206 | $3,170$1,795 |
| Acura Integra | 200-hp turbocharged 1.5L four-cylinder engine | $856 | $833 | $1,689 |
| 2015 Buick Encore | turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder | $403 | $645 | $1,048 |
| 2011 Buick Lucerne | 3.9-liter V6 engine | $976 | $722 | $1,698 |
| Honda Civic | 158-hp 2.0L four-cylinder engine | $682 | $1,297 | $1,979 |
| Toyota Camry | 2.5-liter 4-Cylinder engine | $756 | $1,576 | $2,333 |
| Ford Fiesta | turbocharged 1.0L three-cylinder engine | $377 | $1,521 | $1,898 |
| Chevy Silverado 1500 | 5.3L EcoTec3 V8 engine | $787 | $915 | $1,702 |
| Nissan Altima | 2.0-liter Variable Compression Turbo engine | $711 | $1,504 | $2,215 |
Conclusion
As mentioned earlier in this essay, the expense of changing the head gaskets on certain vehicle types is substantial. But one thing that all of these costs have in common is that labor costs are far higher than parts costs.
