New Head Gasket??

Well, I've had my p38 for just over 3 months and I'm pretty sure the head gasket is gone (don't ask me where). My motor is a 2000 4.0 V8 Thor engine, can anybody tell me a bit more about the cost implications of replacing the gasket. Is it something a novice mechanic, me, could do or should I take it to a pro? Any help or suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. Thank you, in advance.

i not lond done mine for the 3rd time. why you think it hgf ? it is diy but dont start it till you got right tools heads need skimming and new head bolts

strip and present heads is alot of work for a newbie but carefull tool selection dont see why no more than 200 quid to fix with a skim.

Hi Guys, I am losing coolant and there is also the nasty mayo gunk forming on the inside of the oil filler cap. As far as I am aware those two symptoms are head gasket problems; but please correct me if I'm wrong.

I am giving serious thought to doing it myself; what tools would I need and how long do you think it would take to do? Bearing in mind that I would be leafing through the workshop manual at the same time.

Thanks guys.

p.s, that £200 estimate is just the cost of skimming the heads, I presume?

I did them myself on an old Rover P6 I used to have in the good old days. Got a bit stiffed with the head skimming but I didn't know any better then.

Have a search for threads on here by wrxfifer. He had the same problem and the guys on here basically walked him through the entire operation as he did it and he had never done anything like it before. Lots of photos and useful help throughout.

There's probably more than one thread, but it became a bit of an epic as he came across more and more problems with other bits of the car.

Guy

skimmed heads £100 new bolts£20 h/g about £45 ish then you need crack bar good set of sockets and spaners a day to strip heads away a day and a day to put back together, as bob said not an easy job. garage charge around £500 £600. good luck with what you do.

thank you guys for your continuing help and support guys, I really appreciate it.
One of my mates has convinced me o have a go at removing the heads myself and he'll lend me all the tools I need to do the job.
Can anyone recommend a place near Addlestone, Surrey to get my heads skimmed?

I assume that I need to drain the oil and coolant, and I have read that I need to find a bolt/plug on the LH side of the engine block in order to empty all of the coolant. Can anyone please tell me how to find it? I have looked but cannot find it.
Any other handy hints and tips which will help me do this job with the minimum of aggro will alway be greatfully received.
Cheers guys
Reggie

drain your coolent from the bottom of your rad, make sure you get your socket on proply on the head bolts. yellow pagers for heads skimmed if nobody comes up for you

cheers j, will do. i'll keep you all informed of my progress.
thanks again

To confirm leaking head gasket a garage should do a `snif test` for a few quids. (this checks for combustion products in coolant). If doing a gasket change yourself then just follow the book, only use gasket goos if the book says, otherwise not, keep it all clean, an` don`t rush. I know I make even more mistakes than normal when tired, cold and trying to get that next stage done..... As said good tools and good torque wrench essential. Good luck!