Yes, about 1000USD is about what I have been quoted in the past. Decided to
do it myself- $70USD (a good deal) for the gaskets sets (1 set for each
side) along with some JB-Weld to repair the heads if they are not too
pitted. Helps to be a little mechanically inclined, good set of tools and to
have the Bentley manual handy. A messy job, but cheaper than the
alternatives. Let me know if you have more questions about the job- I'll be
glad to help

Regards, Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "Karl Dawe" <kdawe@MUN.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, May 24, 2002 4:15 PM
Subject: Head Gasket Job Costs?

I'm curious, and at the moment I don't have the time to do a good search of
the archives, so please forgive me.  :)

I've got my van in for a head gasket job - I'm not confident enough to do it
myself, though I thought about it.  The mechanic called me today and told me
that it would cost about $1500 Canadian to do the gaskets.  Sounded a little
steep to me, so I thought I'd check it out.  ($1500 Canadian, BTW, works out
to be approximately $1000 USD)

Mechanic says he can do them with the engine in the van.  Costs on the
gaskets are $195 ($130USD) per side from his supplier, but he will use
gaskets that I provide, though he recomends german gaskets.  Even when you
take out the $400 ($260USD) for the gaskets, $1100 ($730USD) seems a bit
steep for the labour charge to me.

I was expecting to pay about $1100 to fix my van this time, including buying
the exhaust parts that I need from one of the list vendors.  Having to spend
$1500 on just the head gasket repairs alone has shot my budget all to hell.
I'm just a poor student, after all.

Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.  Am I getting fleeced
here or was the wool over my eyes when I drew up my budget?

Thanks all,
Karl.

Karl Dawe
'84 Vanagon Passenger Van [as yet unnamed]