Head Gasket Replacement Cost
Head gasket replacement is one of the most expensive engine repairs, typically costing $1,400–$3,000 in parts and labor. The gasket itself is inexpensive — it's the 8–15+ hours of labor to access it that drives the cost.
Average Cost
- 4-cylinder engine: $1,400–$2,000
- V6 or V8 engine: $1,800–$3,000 (two heads)
- OEM head gasket set: $200–$600 in parts
- Labor: 8–15 hours depending on engine complexity
Symptoms of a Blown Head Gasket
- White smoke from the exhaust (steam — coolant burning)
- Milky or frothy oil on the dipstick or oil cap (coolant mixing with oil)
- Coolant level dropping with no visible external leak
- Engine overheating repeatedly
- Bubbles in the coolant reservoir
- P0217 code (engine coolant over-temperature)
What Vehicles Are Most Prone?
- Subaru EJ25 engine (2000–2009 Outback, Forester, Legacy, Impreza) — class action lawsuit history
- Ford 6.0L and 6.4L Power Stroke diesel — notorious for head gasket and EGR cooler failures
- Older Honda Civic/Accord 4-cylinder engines at high mileage
- Land Rover/Range Rover V8 engines
Can a Head Gasket Be Fixed Cheaply?
Head gasket sealers (like Bar's Leaks or Steel Seal) are $30–$100 and can work for minor seeps — but they're a temporary fix at best and can clog cooling system passages, turning a $1,500 repair into a $3,000 one. If the gasket has truly failed, proper replacement is the only reliable fix.
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