Replacing Headgasket Options

[punk3rz]

ok i really just wanna know around how much would it cost to get a head gasket replaced on a 99 eclipse gs (420a)
and would i beable to do it myself? my mom's bf is a mechanic and has been for like 15 years or so and he is acting like this is a HUGE job and its gonna cost like a thousand to replace but from what ive read and all it just looks like around 150 DIY and 150 + around 300 labor.
either way can someone help me out? were gonna do a compression test this weekend to see if thats what it is.
thanks

[waynerwats]

If you can do it yourself it will probably cost about $200 if you have all the tools to do it already and dont need anything else (ie. timing belt water pump etc.). If you have a decent shop do it it shouldnt cost you probably much more then $600 - $700 to do just the head gasket unless they change your timing belt and water pump also or they feel you need to deck the block or head. It all depends on the shops rates and how much they want to "screw" you over.

[piggylover1985]

it's not an easy job for some one who has no wrenching skill, but you can always shop around, you will be surprise in the price differences, the labor rate from each shop is also not the same, some shop will sell you things beside the head gasket, like timing belt, water pump ect, which is recommend but not a must do. should cost you a round $500 or so.

[Az3g]

Ive done mine twice, and the only cost should be the gasket itself $40-50 and machining the head $25-35. All you need is a Chilton's or Hayness manual and the right tools. But the job is quite time consuming, especially the first time. so do know what your doing.