1991 605 head gasket gone - DIY job or junk the car?

I have a 1991 Peugeot 605 (rare in the UK) with a blown head-gasket (4
cyl petrol). Garage repair quote is more than car is worth. No Haynes
manual available, so DIY would need to be by guesswork and exploded
views from electronic parts catalogue. Advice? Any Manuals, websites?
DIY or junk the car?

 

Hi

Most of the engines are the same as the 405 / 406 range.

The 2 litre 8 valve petrol was also used in the series 2 405 & series 1
306s.

The 2 litre 8 valve turbo was used in the series 1 406s.

Dont forget that the Citroen Xantia also had all these engines fitted to it
over its lifespan.

 

Shouldn't be that hard, get a 405 manual and that should be enough

Andy

 

There's nothing wierd about it - you shouldn't be paying any more than £150
or so for a standard 4-pot head-gasket change (say 4 hours labour @ £30, and
then another £30 for the head-gasket-kit itself).

How much have you been quoted ?

 

Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way - Peugeot guide quotes 7.5 hours
labour which is what independent garages quote. They charge by "guide"
hours, not actual hours, so that there is no dispute with customers. Add
gasket, new cam belt,
add head-bolts, add oil, and anti-freeze, and VAT on top and you get to
£500+ providing that the head doesn't need a skim which raises the quote
to nearly £700.

 

It does at my local garage ! Take it somewhere else

They're the same engines as used in the 405, and none of those cost more
than a couple of hundred quid to replace (I know, because I've had them done
in the past !). You shouldn't be paying extra for the 605's rarity.