Is it expensive to have a head gasket replaced?

As of 2015, car owners should expect to pay somewhere around $1,000 for a head gasket replacement. While head gaskets themselves are sometimes relatively inexpensive, a typical replacement takes between five and eight hours.

Head gaskets are important seals in engines. The head gasket ensures efficient combustion and keeps oil from seeping into the engine. Its position in the engine means that a mechanic must remove a number of parts to access it, and that process adds to the labor time. In addition, the mechanic might also need to machine the engine's cylinder head to ensure a proper fit. Machining a cylinder head requires expertise, so experienced mechanics who charge more per hour can sometimes complete the replacement faster than inexperienced mechanics.