Okay so as the title says what's kind of price can I expect to pay to get the head on a mk3/2f skimmed/ground whatever the technical term is, I'm sure you understand what I mean.

Whilst I'm at it what else needs to be replaced? Obviously head and exhaust gasgets and head bolts. Also the cam belt. If I got a gasget set from gsf it has all the gasgets and seals I need?

If the cars only done 50k does the water pump need replacing and does anyone know how much roughly for one?

If there's a guide or and list of everything I need anywhere on here just point me to it. I did do a quick search.

Cheers

I did my head gasket myself on my 6n (yes before noobies botch I know it's a different car)

I brought a head gasket set from GSF and water pump, cambelt and 3liters of G12 coolant £160 all in and it cost me £40 to get my head skimmed at cylinderhead services (that's with the head off the car with nothing left attached) and they collect and deliver it back.

EDIT: in the head set I got head gasket, head bolts, manifold gaskets, thermostat housing gasket, everything I needed

Personally I would always replace the water pump if I'm going to do all of that as its a ball ache if it were to go 2k down the road. It's up to you, may be worth checking that its not leaking etc then decide.

I would change it though for peace of mind... Entirely up to you

Hope this gives you a little bit of a idea cost wise

Edited 27 December, 201213 yr by matt01

£25 cash so no VAT wink wink

has the engine boiled up or just a oil leak...might get away without if its just a leak and never been overheated , hold a straight edge on the head and see what its like

I normally pay £40 for a skim, then £3 each for every valve that needs lapping back in (local engineering firm).

Thanks guys.

The valves have to come out for the to be skimmed yes? And how difficult is it to replace the valve seals and put rebuild the head yourself? Is it easy to get something seriously wrong?

i pay £25 for a skim if i strip the head myself and another £10 if i want it pressure tested.

i clean the head and lap the valves myself.

Thanks guys.

The valves have to come out for the to be skimmed yes? And how difficult is it to replace the valve seals and put rebuild the head yourself? Is it easy to get something seriously wrong?

Yes they do.

With the right tools anything's easy.

Valve seals pull out and then you tap them back in place with a 11?mm socket.

You need to know which size valve stems you have before buying the seals. Some are 8mm others are 7mm.

While its all apart its worth checking the guides for wear.

The valves only have to be removed if they protrude past the surface of the head with the cam/s removed, i know this is 100% correct as i found out myself recently!

Example, if it looked like this, with the combustion chamber in the head, you can leave the valves in.

Whereas if it looked like this, with the combustion chamber in the block, then remove the valves.

Edited 28 December, 201213 yr by dubownerbilco

Great cheers guys.

http://www.oselli.com/services_engineering From £38 +vat

I've spent £40 to £50 on head skims in different cities.

And to confirm, I can't speak for a Mk2 head, but a 6N head has the valves in a recess so I never had to remove them for, or re-lap them in after the skim. Just removed the camshaft so the valves are all in their fully closed positions.

Edited 28 December, 201213 yr by CWA