Replace head gasket 2.4 engine

Header gaskets are fairly expensive to replace. It depends on the labor rates of the repair facility. I would try to find a local community college that has an automotive degree program. Usually they will charge much less for the fix (to help students learn) than a garage. If that isn't an option I would replace the head gasket and not the whole engine. Of course, if there is other damaged caused by the leaky gasket that is another story. There is a lot of labor involved with replacing a header gasket. I would say anywhere from $500 to $1000 anyway. Hope this helps.

wow, no year stated.!?? no location, no night time temperatures.?
ever to the work>?
costs vary by country, state and even the town.,
parts and labor.
before the gasket blew, did you run 50% antifreeze, and check it
each fall for 50% with the$2 tool> and 5min work?
if not , you will crack the head or block, (unless in key west .FL)

costs vary too, by what is wrong?, most times there are far more things wrong.
case in point, Rad leaks, hoses shot. water pump bad, and leaking
green at pump weep port. (signs)
new head gasket.
here is an example.
mech removes head , finds 2 head bolts snapped and 2hr wasted hrs.
then finds the head warped, (ask, measured .005" is bad)
then tests the valves and they leak (ask how) so sends it to the
machine shop and its $350 to grind valves and get head not warped
(heat relaxed and milled and pressure tested )he then installs the head, and times CAM and such.

as he puts on hoses, 2 snap in half, so asks owner, owner says,replace only the 2 bad hoses and ignore, the other very old
and near cracked hoses, mech rolls eyes,,,
flushes rad, new coolant, checks for leaks , it runs.

90% of all just head gaskets changed, fail, fast because all the checks were skipped.":
warp check
surface condition on deck and head.
cracks not seen or pressure tested
valves bad. and ignored.

so the cost can be as cheap as $25 , DIY, gasket
or $500 . DIY, (head bad)
not DIY , labor varies, can be $500 alone.

To replace a blown head gasket requires a lot of labor on this vehicle. Its a v6, meaning you have 2 head gaskets to replace instead of just 1. It requires removing air cleaner, disconnecting battery, removing most of the accessories that are belt driven, removing the intake manifold, egr valve and tubing, exhaust manifold on both sides of engine, timing belt removal, valve covers, and a few smaller items. After removing everything on top of the engine, you'll have access to the cylinder head bolts. Removing them will allow you to lift off the cylinder heads. Before replacing the gaskets, you must send them to a machine shop to have the gasket surface milled true flat again. They must also be inspected for cracks (which will sometimes happen with blown head gaskets) which would render them useless.
If this is a vehicle you really like, perhaps consider investing in a quality used motor. Its less labor intensive, less repeat repair, and you may come out saving a few bucks.

The labor alone will come to over $1000. I know the reason I changed my own head gaskets was that the shop wanted $800 for labor, and that was the cheapest I could find. Your heads won't be cheap either, unless you cam buy them from a yard, in which case you are still looking at at least $100 each. IMO, you should really be looking into a complete engine from salvage, or shopping for a new car. It just isn't cost effective to repair your engine at this point.

The head gasket (in your case gaskets) is located on the top of the engine block under the engine cylinder head which is under the Camshaft cover which is the very top of the engine. This car is a V8 engine so it has 2 heads and 2 head gaskets, one on each side of the engine. It is a very expensive job to replace head gaskets.

#1 stop leak,if your lucky. #2 remove head and replace gasket #3 purchase a new crate engine GM goodwrench sells anywhere from $1500 to $2000. but then the labor probably cost another $1000. But then you"ll have a perfectly good engine to last another 100k.

1.9L SOHC - head gasket set which includes all gaskets needed to remove cylinder head with thermostat runs about $150.00. Head mechine ( check for cracks and milled ) $145.00. Labor time to remove and reinstall cylinder head 8.5 hrs X shops labor rate.

1.9L DOHC - head gasket set and thermostat runs about $210.00. Head mechine $175.00. Labor to remove and reinstall cylinder head 10.7 hrs X shop labor rate.

Labor times per Mitchell labor book, this is a guide all repair shops used.

Considerations
1. Many internal engine problems, such as a blown head gasket, cracked head or cracked piston, can be repaired without having to replace an entire engine.
Potential
2. While taking the time to replace an engine may seem labor-intensive and costly, it will add years to a vehicle's life and will save a car owner from the cost of having to buy a new car.
Benefits
3. Taking a car to a mechanic and replacing an engine with a used engine can cost between $1,000 to $2,000 for parts and labor.
Solution
4. Car owners interested in replacing their engines with new ones can expect to pay anywhere between $2,000 to $4,000.
Speculation
5. For those interested in doing the engine replacement themselves, purchasing specialized tools needed for the job is a cost to consider in addition to the price of a replacement engine.

I replaced my whole engine foe $500.00 with a 90 day warranty from junk yard motor ran great and it only had 40,000 miles on it do not wast your time with just the head if you plan to keep the car . good luck

selecting replacement engines- check for 5yr-50000 warranty, not knowing location, two known- spokane, wa. sacramento, ca. there are mail order establishment that offer these, just make sure of warranty cover replacement labor fort total time warranty is in time, also make sure that, if a problem is not cured, they will supply replacement engine-labor. remember it is your dollars, you should be in control