Head Gasket 97 Dodge Neon

Hi All,

I have a 97 Dodge neon in need of a head gasket. I'm not sure which motor it has. There were only two right? 2.0 and 2.4, does anyone have an idea of how many hours it will take to replace? I want to make sure the dealer isnt ripping me off.

Thanks so much,

Brian

 

Call up a garage and ask them what they list in their book that gives the time it is expected to take to do. Tell them that you are more curious about that than just getting a price quote. That way you have a better handle on what a fair price is.

Just make sure that if you try to save money, that you don't take it to someone that says they can whip in a new gasket in no time for cheap, and wind up with a cheap job where nothing is checked, amongst other things.

 

I second ecman's thoughts and I would add to find a good independent for the job. Head gasket replacement is not brain surgery and any good independent can do the job. What you have to be prepared for is the machine work on the head or even, worst-case scenario, a new head. Any shop that does not send the head out to a reputable machine shop for inspection and resurfacing, if needed, I would run away from.

Just off the top of my head (and I've never done a Neon and I don't know how the labor rates run in your area), you could be into $800 pretty easily including parts, labor, machine work, & tax.