I know this is a long shot !! I suffer with agoraphobia and need our Espace 1988 2 Ltr mpv desperately! I can not get from A-B without it. I have to be high up in a car otherwise I wouldnt dare travel on the road at all. Trouble is my husband has just informed me that the head gasket is on the way out. He says with the work to fix it the bill will probably be around £800!!!! We dont have £800 nor can we afford to borrow that kind of money as I dont work and we have three kids.
Does anyone out there know of somebody soem place that might be able to do this work for considerably less than that figure?
I would much appreciate a quick repsponse as I am so desperate/
Thanx in advance
scoobysoo

Doubt it to be honest unless you find a home mechanic willing to give up a weekend for some spare cash. But then the question is would you trust them?

Can't your husband have a go at fixing it, or does he not feel confident at attempting such a major job? I am sure there are quite a few advice forums on the web if he was to attempt it himself.

Well apparently the whole engine has to be taken out and we dont have the equipment for that!
Thanks for reply....anyone else???
Thanx
Scoobysoo

Whole engine for a head gasket???? :confused:

Sorry got that bit wrong! He's been quoted £800 because these cars are difficult apparently. have to move the manifold? timing...then reset timing...seems complicated. £800 seems extortionate just to do this job. Any advice appreciated. thanx
scoobydoo

That makes sense now, for a minute I thought you were being taken for a ride with someone wanting to take the whole engine out :o

Removing the manifold, resetting the timing requires nothing more than your ordinary diy mechanics tools, certainly not a engine hoist ;). Although to the inexperienced it can seem a scary ordeal.

Not done a headgasket myself, but the partner has done a few learning through the haynes manual. It can be quite time consuming.

£800 does sound reasonable to me but then I have no experience of the engine in your espace. The headgasket has just blown on a mates Rover 800 KV6 and he has been quoted £1500 for it to be fixed.

Is this the only quote you have had? It might be worth ringing round other garages to see if they can beat that quote.

i wouldn't attempt a head gasket myself, and doing the timing properly requires a timing strobe. On the other hand I'm not all that inclinded to learn, so maybe it is possible.

You could p/x the car quickly before it blows, you could probably get away with spending less than £800, but you'd have to spend something.

My husband has read the section in the haynes manual and he says its a bit beyond his capabilites, he only has a basic set of tools, and not that mechanically minded. we are pretty new to sheffield so dont know a lot of people, he has rang round a few more places and is waiting replies but doesnt think its going to be any cheaper. just hope somebody out their sees this and can help point us in the right direction.
Thanx again
Scoobydoo

Try contacting one of the schools or colleges who run car maintenance courses. They may be willing to use is as a 'hands on' session.

Google for any classes in Sheffield.

Good luck.

Thanks for that Max...will try it.
Scoobysoo