Buying a fabia estaye 1.4mpi as spares and repairs head gasket is gone, is it more cost effective to replace full engine or just get the head gasket done? 

Head gasket is an easy job, much easier than changing the engine, that you would even consider going that route suggests you may need help with this project, find an independant specialist if you can and make sure you get the OEM MLS gasket and not some cheap junk.

Does the MPI have a steel gasket version?

12 minutes ago, Wino said:

Does the MPI have a steel gasket version?

 

Who cares, I mean the upgraded OEM gasket, isn't that obvious from what I said. Have a point, I'll trust you to keep score, I can't be bothered, I'm trying to help people not score stupid points.

Just trying to save someone searching for something that (maybe) doesn't  exist. Harden up dude.

The gasked is soften this engine. I have one extra to put in on my other 1,4 engine. This is the old version engine, easy in many way. Give the top some kind of backing with hammer strokes and wooden blocks before the top is lifted straight up, backwards and forwards if possible so that the top loosens. Best effect in the ends.
There is a danger that cylinders can follow up and get leaked in the bottom go the loose cylinders if it is lifted straight up. Typical problem at Peugeot and Renault. Probably also Skoda, since the 1.4 engine has loose/seperat cylinders. It can't be wrong anyway...

Edited 20 May, 20179 yr by Torbo

I won't be doing the work I have no experience whatsoever haha, the mechanic said he's done a few fabia gaskets before and said it would be much cheaper and easier to just replace whole engine, yet everyone who is a Skoda fan says the head gasket is easy on them so I'm not sure what to do 

3 hours ago, Mikeskoda62 said:

I won't be doing the work I have no experience whatsoever haha, the mechanic said he's done a few fabia gaskets before and said it would be much cheaper and easier to just replace whole engine, yet everyone who is a Skoda fan says the head gasket is easy on them so I'm not sure what to do 

 

The 'mechanic' is talking rubbish. The head gasket on the 1.4 mpi is easy to change.

Edited 21 May, 20179 yr by TMB

5 hours ago, Mikeskoda62 said:

I won't be doing the work I have no experience whatsoever haha, the mechanic said he's done a few fabia gaskets before and said it would be much cheaper and easier to just replace whole engine, yet everyone who is a Skoda fan says the head gasket is easy on them so I'm not sure what to do 

What he actually means is he wants to get as much money out of you as possible because you don't have that much mechanical knowledge he is trying to take you for a fool.

Edited 21 May, 20179 yr by retro

OK so does anyone know how much it SHOULD cost to get head gasket done? Not including parts 

Mike,

if I'm reading this correctly you viewed a Fabia estate and a garage has stated the head gasket has ' gone ' guessing this wasn't the seller/selling garage ? yet you imply that you've bought the car ? not knowing the actual cost to repair it ?

 

as others have implied a head gasket isn't normally rocket science should be an ' easy fix ' for a competent mechanic and unless other damaged has occurred ( warped head cracked block ) is a cheapish fix compared to replacing an engine

 

my advice this far down the line " get a second and third opinion plus estimates " try to find a reputable independent garage, I'd have thought most rural SW villages would have a ' go to ' local mechanic ask around friends family blokes in the pup etc ask on here even .......

 

if you arn't careful this could work out and expensive way into electric windows

Edited 21 May, 20179 yr by davidwhite

7 minutes ago, Mikeskoda62 said:

OK so does anyone know how much it SHOULD cost to get head gasket done? Not including parts 

 

It's half a days work for a good mechanic, plus the cost of getting the head skimmed, the gaskets and bolts are the only parts needed plus some fresh coolant once complete.

 

Edit: I don't know what labour rates are like round your way but here in the South East they're on the high side.

Edited 21 May, 20179 yr by sepulchrave

We use a mechanic who is a close family friend and i's usually very reliable but I am failing to trust him this time as everyone on here and Facebook groups are saying it is much better to just replace gasket, gonna go around and ask different garages. And yes I have bought the car for £180 comfort trim so think I have got a good deal don't mind spending up to 500 getting it fixed:) 

3 minutes ago, Mikeskoda62 said:

We use a mechanic who is a close family friend and i's usually very reliable but I am failing to trust him this time as everyone on here and Facebook groups are saying it is much better to just replace gasket, gonna go around and ask different garages. And yes I have bought the car for £180 comfort trim so think I have got a good deal don't mind spending up to 500 getting it fixed:) 

 

I think you're right about your mechanic, obviously head gaskets are outside his comfort zone, which is fine now that you know it, continue to use him for the run of the mill stuff just go elsewhere to get this job done.