Car Head Gasket Has Blown 6 Months after Service at Dealer - Does The Dealer Have a Responsibility

LFrowdMan on 10/08/2025 - 19:11
Last edited 11/08/2025 - 13:34 by 1 other user

Hi all, at the start of March my car radiator hose exploded and caused the car to overheat, but it was put into limp mode.

We got the car towed to the dealership to get fixed, while it was there, I asked the dealership to give it a full service and check over to make sure the car would have no issue down the track. They did the check and ensured me there would no issue further down the track.

Now I took the car in for a different issue after 6,000km and five months after the incident. I told them that there was some smoke coming out of the exhaust while I drive it and asked them to do a check over it. They informed me that my head gasket was blown and it's $6k to fix through the dealership.

Now from my light mechanical experience, the only way a head gasket could go is from when the car was to overheat and the alloy engine block has warped. Hence the gasket wouldn't form a good seal between the engine block and head.

I have been very stern with them that they should have picked this up when I asked five months ago and I won't pay the full $6k to fix. But do they have some responsibility as they did ensure that there were no issues over the radiator hose blew.

Do I have any ground to stand on?

Thank you

TLDR: Radiator hose blew in March, car overheated but went into limp mode. Dealership towed it, did repairs and a full check, assured no future issues. Now, 5 months and 6,000km later, car shows smoke from exhaust, diagnosed with a blown head gasket, quoted $6k to fix. I believe the overheating caused engine block warping, leading to gasket failure. I feel the dealership should've caught this earlier and questions their responsibility. Seeking advice on whether there's any ground to dispute the cost.

EDIT; Thank you all for your advice, based on the opinions, I will be scrapping the car,
just wanted to see if there were any other options. First post as well, so thank you for helping.

Poll Options

  • 12
    Argue with Dealer for them to pay
  • 283
    Suck it up and pay
Automotive Car Mazda SUV

Comments

  • fantombloo on 10/08/2025 - 19:19
    +14

    Off topic: I'm not sure what (original / TLDR) ratio actually warrants a TLDR but to me this post seems very close to the limit.

    • Pelicannn on 10/08/2025 - 20:15
      +6

      The TLDR needs a TLDR imo.

      “Recently serviced car had a head gasket blow within six months, is servicing dealer partially responsible?”

      • Qazxswec on 11/08/2025 - 08:20
        +12

        Honestly, a TLDR of your TLDR of the TLDR wouldn't go a stray.
        "My car's cooked! Am i cooked?"

        • tensionday on 11/08/2025 - 22:06
          +2

          Car/me cook?

      • tenpercent on 12/08/2025 - 20:20

        Isn't that mostly contained in the headline?

        Car Head Gasket Has Blown 6 Months after Service at Dealer - Does The Dealer Have a Responsibility

    • kungfuman on 12/08/2025 - 08:51

      sell the car cut your losses buy an ev

  • shxhshzhz on 10/08/2025 - 19:20
    +20

    It will be difficult to use something from several months ago as a reason without perfect evidence. Get quotes for the head gasket from other mechanics as dealers charge more and get it fixed by the cheaper mechanic.

    • Dr Phil on 11/08/2025 - 17:03

      Correct…

      5 months and 6,000km later

      A blown head gasket back then would have given very obvious signs…..
      -Bubbles coming up through the radiator (resulting in…..)
      -Constant Loss of coolant (resulting in..)
      -Overheating due to loss of coolant
      -Oil in the coolant (milky coolant)
      -Failure of radiator pressure test

      But yes, dealers charge twice as much as your regular mechanics
      And I would NOT trust them doing such a job.
      They specialise in servicing and maintenance

      PS Smoke coming out of the exhaust is an indicatiion of excessive oil burning for whatever reason.
      Typically worn piston rings but also worn valve stem seals.
      The oil being used might be too thin for the engine's age as well.
      Whatever the reason, oil is leaking into the cylinder chambers

      NB: A compression test would help identify excessive wear and tear in the engine

      And I dont see anywhere where OP has disclosed the mileage so we dont know how much work the engine has done
      Nor has OP confirmed regular servicing or lack thereof at any time during its history.
      So very difficult to put blame on the dealer or any mechanic for such an issue at this point in time.

    • Jaduqimon on 10/08/2025 - 19:40
      +15

      Yes because everyone should only charge what the part is worth.

      • bargaino on 10/08/2025 - 19:42
        -6

        Comprehension fail. Have a think about the context before making ludicrous assumptions.
        Actual points implied:

        1) you can get it done cheaper
        2) since it is so hard to repair modern engines, it may be more sensible to replace.

        Replacing a head gasket was never cheap, due to the work involved. But $6k is getting ridiculous.

        • FrowdMan on 10/08/2025 - 20:09

          Only reason I took it back to the dealer as I would that thought they could take some responsibility for the fix. Obviously not.
          We towed it there initially after the hose blew as our local mechanic wasn't open, as it happened on a Saturday.

          • marcozmitch on 10/08/2025 - 21:05
            -1

            @marcozmitch: Mr -ve voter (which is fine),
            please let me know your better idea.

            • brendanm on 10/08/2025 - 21:10
              +9

              @marcozmitch: I negged your crappy AI/google posts.

              • marcozmitch on 11/08/2025 - 16:55
                -2

                @brendanm: Thank you.
                And fair enough, if I was just parroting the advice and/or being lazy.

                But, I actually would be saying this whole post and using a Victorian yellow pages phone-book to look up companies in the past.
                The books are not available so I still look-up something.

                If you don't like people trying to give more information: then don't worry about it.

                I have had a real life issue with a head gasket blown car, so I do want to offer practical advice.
                I do most of the time, clearly state where I have used AI.
                I use AI, because I have forgotten some of my prior knowledge about my car problem, and also I have knowledge gaps.
                My experience with the blown head gasket really drained my fiances a lot.
                I am sorry, if any of this makes you unhappy about my AI use.

                • brendanm on 11/08/2025 - 17:39
                  +3

                  @marcozmitch: You were parroting advice and being lazy. Giving links to engine reconditioning companies with no experience with them is pointless, I'm sure OP can use google.

                  Another of your posts is just some random AI garbage or some text from a crappy blog.

                  • marcozmitch on 12/08/2025 - 06:55
                    -3

                    @brendanm: No, you are just an opinionated, person who likes to "poo poo" on people.
                    Find a toilet to sit in, instead of spewing bile so much.

                    • brendanm on 12/08/2025 - 10:05
                      +1

                      @marcozmitch: Learn how commas work. You are using them in all the wrong places.

    • Hybroid on 10/08/2025 - 20:48
      +2

      If you are getting your car serviced by a dealer, you are hereby permanently banned from ozbargain.

      Ehh it depends. Toyota minor services are actually quite competitive (sub-$300). You'd be hard pressed to find anyone to do it for much less.

      • shxhshzhz on 10/08/2025 - 21:00

        All Chery models have sub-$300 minor capped price services too

      • Dr Phil on 11/08/2025 - 17:36

        Also the manufacturers are making it much more difficult for your local mechanic to service new models
        They need to purchase the software for each model which costs thousands of $$$.
        Given many dealers are offering capped price servicing at reasonable prices these days its definitely the way to go.

    • umyeahokay on 10/08/2025 - 20:58
      +6

      $20 head gasket? From where, Temu?

      • Dr Phil on 11/08/2025 - 17:37
        +1

        Have you heard of "Silastic" sealant or "JB Weld" or maybe "Permatex"

        All quick fixes but not for long

  • p1 ama on 10/08/2025 - 19:50
    +3

    Make / model?

    • FrowdMan on 10/08/2025 - 20:06
      +1

      2014 Mazda CX-5

      • brendanm on 10/08/2025 - 20:38
        +2

        Petrol or diesel?

        • TheGreatBab on 10/08/2025 - 21:42
          +11

          If diesel, better get another car, as diesels of this make model year are notorious for this issue

          • brendanm on 10/08/2025 - 21:53
            +2

            @TheGreatBab: Exactly, if it's a diesel it's done very well to last this long, and now needs to go to the wreckers.

            • FrowdMan on 11/08/2025 - 09:14

              @brendanm: It is the Diesel unfortunately they replaced the motor under re-call 3 years ago now,
              So this isn't the original motor.

      • 7ekn00 on 10/08/2025 - 21:42
        -4

        Just got a head gasket and some suspension work done on a 2014 Camry for $322 !!

        Suggest you get a few more quotes ;)

        • MS Paint on 10/08/2025 - 21:52
          +3

          Oh what a feeling.

        • JIMB0 on 10/08/2025 - 23:53
          +23

          You mean rocker cover gasket and a couple of sway bar bushes?

        • Dr Phil on 11/08/2025 - 17:44
          +7

          You didnt get the head gasket done buddy

          Maybe te rocker cover seal for that price

          • 7ekn00 on 11/08/2025 - 19:18
            -4

            @Dr Phil: If you say so, cause you know everything about mates rates in the US for a days work!

            • BartholemewH on 11/08/2025 - 20:19
              +2

              @7ekn00: OP should ship his car to the US and save a few bucks!

              • 7ekn00 on 11/08/2025 - 20:24
                -2

                @BartholemewH: LOL I just love the assumptions made from all the naysayers without any question or thought on how it might be possible!

                • BartholemewH on 11/08/2025 - 20:32
                  +1

                  @7ekn00: I'm glad you can get work done at these rates where you are, but it's a bit like saying you can get a root canal for $20, overseas. There's plenty of wiggle room on that headgasket quote though….$6k!

        • Mrgreenz on 12/08/2025 - 11:30

          Pfft thats nothing.

          The Vic government just got 40 metal boxes for 13 mill.

          Now thats mates rates.

      • BlasterBoy on 15/08/2025 - 13:11

        Was so expecting a Subaru with this kinda head gasket shenanigans!

  • brendanm on 10/08/2025 - 19:51
    +28

    If it's been 5 months since you've had any issues, how would you expect them to have noticed anything at the time? If they've checked all they could check, that's all they can do, they can't predict the future.

    In addition, if they'd told you it was stuffed then, and would be a $6k fix, how is it any different to it being a $6k fix now? Not sure I understand how it would be their responsibility at all.

    What sort of vehicle, $6k seems pretty excessive.

    • marcozmitch on 10/08/2025 - 20:02
      -5

      I think that with a head gasket gone, and gold-like price to fix the car, I would consider what residual value has the car, should I get rid of it now?
      My experience with head gaskets has been quite terrible.
      Maybe this is a sturdy car and the repair is worth it:

      The True Cost Of Fixing A Head Gasket - Auto Stop | Brisbane …
      A properly repaired head gasket can significantly extend a car's life, potentially adding many years and miles to its lifespan. However, the longevity depends on factors like the cause of the initial failure, the quality of the repair, and the overall condition of the vehicle. If the failure wasn't due to underlying engine issues, the repair can restore the engine to near-new condition and allow it to run for many more years, according to mycar Tyre & Auto.

      So do a proper check for any underlying issues? or do you do any towing? Any extreme conditions? Get an answer this way<<

    • skillet on 11/08/2025 - 10:57

      Obviously the OP is lazy to look for an independent workshop, even trusted a dealership to fix his 2014 car out of warranty. If you care and are tight with money, one way to go forward is to ditch the car cause you are not able to afford/responsible enough to have one. Or turn a new leaf, spend sometime on Mazda forums, find an independent workshop who is more competent and wont charge you exorbitant $6K for a gasket and a headshave(your engine overheated probably need a shave due to wrap).

  • boomramada on 10/08/2025 - 20:04
    +8

    I wouldn't visit dealer for any mechanical issue unless its warranty or scheduled services.

    • FrowdMan on 10/08/2025 - 20:11
      +1

      Yes, unfortunately it happened on weekend, and the dealer was the only mechanic that it was open at the time.

      • boomramada on 10/08/2025 - 20:19
        +1

        Fair call, just get it fixed, I don't think it's a dealer issue, they wouldn't know. It may or may not caused by the earlier issue.

      • BartholemewH on 11/08/2025 - 20:21

        And they assessed it like you asked, I don't see the problem. You are not obliged to leave it with them.

  • Far Cough on 10/08/2025 - 20:06
    +8

    one time of overheating can cause the head gasket to fail

    • skillet on 11/08/2025 - 11:00

      It can also cause piston seize.

    • unwashed00 on 12/08/2025 - 10:55

      yes! the head warp so slightly, but it creates a weak point which fails a few months down the track

  • apsilon on 10/08/2025 - 20:14
    +2

    What are the line items on the invoice from the initial repair?

  • CodeXD on 10/08/2025 - 20:31
    +1

    I believe the overheating caused engine block warping, leading to gasket failure.

    And what did the professionals say? Do they think it was caused by the overheating? Or something you did afterwards?

  • Euphemistic on 10/08/2025 - 20:55
    +4

    Buckleys and none of them helping you out. The head gasket was probably fine when they did the initial repair.

    Its gone too long since the original issue so youre on your own. Find an independent mechanic to do it cheaper - or sell as not runing and buy a new car. $6k spend on a 2014 car is bordering on write off value.

    How many kms on it?

    • FrowdMan on 11/08/2025 - 13:30

      I rung a few independent mechanics, they quoted about the same to be honest.
      it has 217,000km on the clock, but the motor was replaced by them back in 2022 under the recall in the link below.
      https://www.aaaa.com.au/news/mazda-recalls-35000-diesel-powe…

      Might be time just to scrap it

      • Euphemistic on 11/08/2025 - 19:04

        Maybe not scrap it. If its still running, try a trade in.

  • miwahni on 10/08/2025 - 21:42
    +18

    Dealership didn't cause the original overheating incident, so can hardly be held responsible six months down the track from something that may or may not have been caused by that incident. They won't necessarily know that the head has warped to the point that the gasket is going to blow - and if they HAD been able to tell at the time, then I don't think you'd have got another six months out of the engine before the gasket actually went.
    Now if they had put everything back together but neglected to refill the radiator you might have had a leg to stand on…but barring that unlikely occurrence, this is entirely on you unfortunately.

  • MS Paint on 10/08/2025 - 21:54
    +7

    Classic ozbargain entitlement post. FFS.

    caused the car to overheat

    How long did you continue to drive it for after seeing the temp gauge rise and the warning buzzer go off?

    • FrowdMan on 11/08/2025 - 07:21
      -1

      My wife was driving the car at the time, it doesn't have a temp gauge on the dashboard and as soon as it went into limp mode we pulled over and didn't drive it after.

      • ichoosethesteak on 11/08/2025 - 09:19
        +5

        Welcome to the world of mechanical.

        Firstly, there would have been warnings which you guys ignored, more than likely, there would have been steam.

        Secondly, you chose not to mention the type of car because I think you don't want people mocking you for choosing most likely cheap trash.

        Thirdly, if a car overheats, it can warp the head a little or a lot. Some cars will drive for a long time on warped head pending on the type of engine and car.

        As much as dealers suck, they can't be held responsible. Cars fail, especially bad ones.

        No point in asking for help if you won't tell us what engine, year, car and model it is.

        • FrowdMan on 11/08/2025 - 13:32
          -1

          2014 Mazda CX-5 2.2L diesel, wasn't trying to be to specific as it was more around the situation with the dealer and not the type of car itself

  • apple2016 on 10/08/2025 - 23:10
    +2

    Seeking advice on whether there's any ground to dispute the cost.

    Nope. Just pay for the repairs!

  • JIMB0 on 11/08/2025 - 00:05
    +6

    If you’re sure the dealer missed it back in March, I’d start by getting a top-tier automotive engineer to pull the engine apart for a full report, the more detailed the better. Get them to do crack testing and x-raying of the block, along with metallurgical analysis. Then hire a specialist solicitor who deals with dealership disputes. Let us know how you go.

    • Murkymerv on 11/08/2025 - 23:14

      That sounds a lot more like ten thousand ⁉️

      • skillet on 13/08/2025 - 09:53

        metallurgical analysis

        Sounds like something my dentist would say. $$$

      • BartholemewH on 13/08/2025 - 18:51

        That's the joke.

    • borrisz0r on 11/08/2025 - 06:56
      +8

      Pam, is that you?

      • Muppet Detector on 11/08/2025 - 09:49
        -2

        Don't be mean. I was providing an example of how quickly and by how much things can escalate if your knowledge of cars is limited and the mechanic mentions the words "head gasket".

        • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 11/08/2025 - 13:24
          +1

          Why are all your comments the length of a novel? Serious Q

        • BartholemewH on 11/08/2025 - 20:27

          So you spent $8k on a bitsoshiti worth $2k… then you binned the car with a brand new engine over a hundred dollar part? Some people make life as difficult as possible.

    • MS Paint on 11/08/2025 - 08:02
      +4

      do some cars have two head gaskets?

      Yes. V6, V8 and V12 engines do. Flat 4 and 6 engines also do. @jv's Testarossa with a Flat 12 also has two.

    • JIMB0 on 11/08/2025 - 11:04

      Yes. In larger engines they have one head gasket per cylinder.

    • skillet on 11/08/2025 - 11:09

      Had a Mitsubishi V6 brokedown tow it to a Toyota dealer…

      This dealer deals with various brands or a just stocking Corollas and Camrys?

      • Muppet Detector on 11/08/2025 - 11:33

        It was midnight. Only so many places available for RACQ to tow it to.

        Was Toyota dealer on the M1, maybe Nerang? Qld. Pretty sure it's actually known as Von Bibra these days,can't remember back then, but yes, they do sell Toyotas, but other brands too.

  • ifyareckon on 11/08/2025 - 06:33
    +9

    If they had picked up the head gasket had blown months ago, it would have been the same cost to fix then as it is now would it not? So why are they now responsible?

    • skillet on 11/08/2025 - 11:12
      -1

      I believe head gasket is separate from the radiator for most if not all cars. Not sure about EV though…

      • derrida derider on 11/08/2025 - 13:05

        Of course EVs have neither radiator nor head gasket.
        Point here is that overheating - due in this case to a burst hose - is what causes head gaskets to go. Especially with aluminium head and/or block.

  • t_c on 11/08/2025 - 06:50
    +4

    Unless the vehicle has some sentimental value, id srsly consider sending to auction and buying something else.

    That 6k could easily end up 12k, once they discover new things.

    Then theres long term reliability due to being overheated. For instance any plastics or electronics on the engine. Like coil over plugs. Could have reduced lifespans.

    This car could end up spending more time in the workshop than on the road over the next few years.

    Or you might be lucky and 6k will be it. Do you want to take the chance though.

    I guess its situation depended, do you enjoy tinkering with cars or do you need something very reliable that just works to ferry kids around.

  • Kiro on 11/08/2025 - 07:34

    i doubt that what they did would cause the fault. please be mindful that you put 6 000 km on it and has had stresses that no one could have picked up on at the time.

  • joshash on 11/08/2025 - 08:00
    +4

    Sometimes a head gasket can be slightly damaged from an overheating incident without an immediate loss of compression, then, months or years later, the head gasket blows with compression loss, water in oil etc.
    That wasn't smoke coming out of your exhaust, it was probably steam.
    I digress.

    The long and short of it was what probably caused the head gasket damage was the overheating - not a workshop replacing a hose.
    If it's worth fixing, fix it and sell the car. If it's not worth fixing, sell the car - to a wrecker.

  • Mythreesons on 11/08/2025 - 08:04
    +1

    No the dealer didn’t do it, common problem with Mazda, got rid of my 2014 cx7 after constantly fixing overheating problems. So maybe the price is not just to replace head gasket, could have also cracked the head, which is very expensive, especially if they are replacing with a brand new part. This type of damage can occur if your car is overheating and you pull over, turn the car off and top it up with cold water.

  • Tomhaigh1 on 11/08/2025 - 08:15
    +2

    Mazda CX-5 petrol or diesel?
    Diesel models < 2018 have known issue, so many similar cases posted here https://www.facebook.com/groups/mazdacx5clubaustralia/

  • GordonD on 11/08/2025 - 08:54
    +2

    A pertinent question is what warranty they gave you on the original overheating work.

  • pegaxs on 11/08/2025 - 09:15
    +9

    Yeah, ok, I'll bite, but only because I am bored…

    I asked the dealership to give it a full service and check over to make sure the car would have no issue down the track.

    Mechanics dont have crystal balls to see the future. They would have have tested it at the time and the test came back as ok because the failure wasnt evident enough 5 mins after the hose blowing to be able to test for it.

    They informed me that my head gasket was blown and it's $6k to fix through the dealership.

    Well, like Kodak, the problem now has had time to "develop".

    Now from my light mechanical experience

    Like I dont get 10 of those types of people a day… I now know how doctors feel when patients whip out the… "well, I was on Google/ChatGPT last night, and…"

    the only way a head gasket could go is from when the car was to overheat and the alloy engine block has warped.

    Yep, showing your "light mechanical knowledge" there. It is commonly the head that warps, not the block. A warped block introduces a whole other set of issues.

    I have been very stern with them that they should have picked this up

    Yeah yeah yeah… again, see "crystal ball comment". It doesn't matter if they picked it up then or now, the outcome is the same, it's still a $6,000 repair job.

    I won't pay the full $6k to fix.

    Lol.. yeah ok, champ. They enjoy watching Chris Fix videos on how to do it yourself.

    But do they have some responsibility as they did ensure that there were no issues over the radiator hose blew.

    Nope. They tested it and it tested fine, at the time. Issues like these rarely ever show right after an incident of overheating. The only time this would have shown right after the hose blowing was if you REALLY cooked the engine good OR if the problem of the hose blowing was related to the head gasket in the first place.

    Do I have any ground to stand on?

    Yep, it's the ground on the other side of the service desk as you hand them your credit card for payment.

    You dont really have "grounds to stand on" because the problem was already there. They either found it at the time OR they find it 6,000km later, either way, the outcome is the same, it's a $6,000 bill to repair either when you got the hose replaced, or 6,000km later. At least this way, you got 6,000km out of it before you now have to scrap it because its worth less than they repair bill.

    Side Note: And how did I know it was a Mazda CX series before I even bothered to read through the replies looking for it. (fropanity) me, these CX's are the Jeep of Japan at this point. If I see a Mazda CX roll up at work, I just know it is going to need engine work.

    • FrowdMan on 11/08/2025 - 09:17

      Thank you for your help

    • GordonD on 11/08/2025 - 10:59
      -1

      I now know how doctors feel when patients whip out the… "well, I was on Google/ChatGPT last night, and…"

      I keep getting that one. They feel like punishing you for questioning their knowledge and judgement. Even though the research has definitively proved that doctors are actually better at diagnosing when they are helped by an AI, and an AI is better at diagnosing when a doctor can't over-ride it. The amount of information the internet can store is simply way bigger than even doctors (think their) brains can store. And that's why doctors are going to be one of the first professions up against the wall when the (AI) revolution comes. They've tried dividing up the sum of medical knowledge into a whole lot of little specialisations that are each small enough to fit into a human brain, and the result has been they know less than the patient can find out on the internet if that patient in front of them isn't actually suffering from a condition relevant to their specialisation, and should have been sent to a different specialist.

  • serpserpserp on 11/08/2025 - 10:06

    Real talk: does a mechanic ever check the head gasket unless it is broken? Aren't they difficult to access?

    Bedsides, if they found a problem 5 months ago or whatever, wouldn't they just charge you 6k to fix it then?

    If they did a cheap fix for you, is it even worth the grief you'll get off the customer 12 months down the line (instead of 5 months) when the thing blows up anyway?

    • pegaxs on 11/08/2025 - 10:17
      +5

      does a mechanic ever check the head gasket unless it is broken?

      There are tests you can do. Pressure test cooling system, test for combustion gasses in the cooling system or oil in the cooling system. Other symptoms to look out for are steam in the exhaust or blue smoke. You cant just take the head off to inspect it, because the act of removing the head would wreck the gasket anyway.

      Bedsides, if they found a problem 5 months ago or whatever, wouldn't they just charge you 6k to fix it then?

      100% correct. Doesn't matter if they found it then or now, the price would be the same. This way, OP got another 6 months and 6,000km out of it before they had to send it to the wreckers.

      If they did a cheap fix for you,

      There is no "cheap fix" for a head gasket on a 2014 Mazda CX other than taking it out the back and setting it alight for the insurance money.

      • serpserpserp on 11/08/2025 - 10:25

        2014 Mazda CX other than taking it out the back and setting it alight for the insurance money.

        Here is hoping they are highly flammable

      • JIMB0 on 11/08/2025 - 11:06
        +2

        Is putting in a couple of bottles of Chemi-weld and selling it off to the next sucker still a thing?

        • pegaxs on 11/08/2025 - 13:58

          Uncle Ian told me to just use a raw egg and some cracked pepper down the radiator inlet. Grab a banana skin for the rear diff if it's noisy as well.

    • GordonD on 11/08/2025 - 11:17

      does a mechanic ever check the head gasket unless it is broken? Aren't they difficult to access?

      They certainly do on CarSOS and Wheeler Dealers. Those programs tell you what mechanics can do quite quickly and easily to check whether a head gasket is on its way out or has actually failed. A test comparing the compression pressure in each cylinder to each other. A test to see if the combustion chamber holds pressure. A sniff test to see if combustion gases are leaking into the water.

      An engine that has lost its water and overheated should be checked before it is returned to the customer as fixed. And doubly so if its been an expensive job that the customer would expect to be thorough.

  • LanceVance on 11/08/2025 - 10:13
    +1

    Not their fault. Get comparative quotes as $6k is excessive, if and when you do get it fixed get rid of it as Diesel Mazda's seem to be forever on borrowed time. See what the value is at the moment and if it is even worth repairing if you got rid of the car afterwards.

    • GordonD on 11/08/2025 - 11:23

      Get comparative quotes as $6k is excessive

      Quotes from dealers can be very high because they are required by being a dealer to use genuine factory parts. They can't just ring up a wrecker and get a second hand part that looks ok, or get a 3rd party reconditioned part. I got a $6K quote from a dealer for a new power steering rack air-freighted from France, and fitted, because the local distributor didn't stock that part. An independent mechanic just drained and replaced the power steering fluid.

      • LanceVance on 11/08/2025 - 14:06

        Fair enough but we're talking about a head gasket, the actual parts is the gasket itself (maybe $30) and any seals you might run into along the way. The vast majority of the charge is just labour getting to the head gasket and then putting it back together again. Dealership labour charges are typically much higher than an independent mechanic. Additionally they're not always more experienced. I know I'd rather an independent who's been in the industry for approx. 30 years (like my mechanic) rather than a dealership where you might be paying for an apprentice.

  • grimo82 on 11/08/2025 - 10:14
    +2

    unless it presented as an issue when they fixed the rad there is no way they would have crakced the head open to check the flatness - nore would have you wanted to pay for it as a 'just in case'.

    Fill it full of stop leak and keep moving till it stops. Its an old car by modern standards, with known issues.

    Else id imagine a straight gasket swap (which may not fix your issue if head is stuffed) is around $1500.

    • Some Random Guy on 11/08/2025 - 18:03

      i second this.

      fill it with a stop leak (the ones that turn to ceramic when exposed to the combustion (the ones chris fix reviewed)) and drive it until you get a replacement or drive it til it blows.

      and when selling it to anyone remember its a doggy dog world so dont even mention the engine

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