New Engine - Please help!!!

[fayelc123]

Hi all, I really need some help & know nothing about cars.
The head gasket has gone on my car & i have been quoted �700 to repair (it's a 1.4cl polo,R Reg). I do not have this kind of money spare so someone suggested to me that i could buy an engine & get someone to fit it. Would this be ok to do? & also, where would i look for an engine?? I have no idea where to start!
Thanks in advance for your help!

[fayelc123]

I forgot to add that i am in the East London area.

[Loosehead]

A new engine will cost about 2 grand and is unnecessary. �700 to change the gaskett is a bit steep, shop around I'm sure you can get it done cheaper. The Gasket's fairly cheap so the cost is mostly labour, sounds like they are having a giraffe. Alternatively get yourself a Haines manual and do it yourself, it's suprisingly simple. A new engine is much more labour and a recon engine will be about �700 on it's own, change the gaskett no contest.

By the way do not be tempted by any "Engines R us" type outfits, they will con you and your car will end up comletely knackered.

[homer75]

Calm down fayelc ! - head gasket problem is not the end of the world ! Get a recommended mechanic to do it for you as a private job and get the head skimmed to be double sure it's a permanent fix. Whoever on earth advised a repalcement engine as a fix for a blown head gasket is only winding you up I think.

[markja]

phone a couple of mobile mechanics in the local paper and get quotes from them over the phone , bet you don't hear �700 , nearer �150/200 i'd think.

[connor91]

look at this,or other products like it

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewIte m&item=270003311617&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI _PR4_PCN_BIX

read up on it ,old car,�700 more than car is worth. if damage is small this might fix it.

ask on -A.B- about the stuff,and see other ???? .
may be worth a look.
Con

[edwards]

we have a vw golf 95 reg, we had the the bottom end done on it costing �300 so i can't see head gasket costing �700.
They are taking you for a ride hun, definately.

[alvin100]

Changing a head gasket is time consuming rather than difficult, A haynes manual will guide you through it. This may sound daft but take a few digital pics of your engine before you start, and label up EVERY pipe and bracket you remove, no matter how obvious its position might look.
you should be able to complete the job yourself for under a hundred quid including an oil change. The most important thing is to correctly tighten the head bolts when you are putting it back together, use a torque wrench and follow the correct tightening sequence in the Haynes manual. you also need to take great care to refit the cam timing belt correctly, again follow the procedure in the book.
Other wise shop around untill you get a sensible price from a mechanic.

[fayelc123]

Thanks for all of your answers!!