How Much Does It Cost To Skim A Cylinder Head?

Skimming a cylinder head typically costs between $75 and $300 depending on the vehicle, engine size, shop rates, and extent of the damage. The average range is $150 to $250 for a 4-6 cylinder engine skim job. Key factors affecting cost include labor time, parts needs, shop fees, and taxes.

This article will discuss the costs and variables in cylinder head skimming, tips for saving money on the repair, the time required, reasons it’s important, when to skim heads, and answer common questions on cylinder head expenses and replacement difficulty.

Key topics covered include average skimming costs, factors impacting pricing, cost-saving recommendations, repair timeframes, why proper head sealing is critical, signs a skim is needed, and concise answers on head cost, removal difficulty, and the skimming process.

Cost of Skimming a Cylinder Head

Skimming a cylinder head is the process of machining the head to ensure it is perfectly flat. This is important for proper sealing and compression. The average cost to skim a cylinder head can range from $75 to $300 depending on several factors:

• Labor costs – Skimming a head is a complex job requiring specialized equipment and experience. Most mechanics will charge $50 to $150 per hour for labor. The job can take 1-3 hours.
• Parts costs – No additional parts are required for skimming a head. However, warped heads may need to be replaced, which can cost $300 to $2000 for a new or rebuilt cylinder head.
• Taxes and fees – With labor, taxes can add 10% or more to the total cost. Shop fees may also apply for jobs like skimming a head.
• Total cost – With 1 hour of labor at $100/hour, the total cost to skim a cylinder head would be around $110 including taxes and fees. For a more complex 3 hour job, expect closer to $300 – $400 total.

Factors that Affect the Cost of Skimming a Cylinder Head

Several variables impact the overall cost to skim a cylinder head:

• Type of vehicle – Luxury and high-performance vehicles are more complex and expensive to service, with labor rates over $125 per hour. Everyday economy cars can be less.
• Engine size – Larger truck or V8 engines over 5 liters take more time, effort, and machine work to skim versus a small 4-cylinder engine.
• Severity of the damage – Heavily warped heads require extra machining time and cuts to flatten, increasing labor time.
• Location of the repair shop – Labor rates are higher in major cities versus small towns, inflating costs.
• Labor rates – Some shops charge fixed rates while others bill actual time, impacting the final cost.

How to Save Money on Skimming a Cylinder Head

You can save money on cylinder head skimming with these tips:

• Get multiple estimates from different repair shops– Prices can vary dramatically, so shop around.
• Ask about discounts and promotions – Some shops offer first-time customer deals. loyalty programs, or seasonal sales.
• Use aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts – Aftermarket or rebuilt heads can be 50-70% less than brand new OEM parts.
• DIY the repair yourself – With some mechanical skill and auto shop equipment, you can skim your own head for just the cost of materials.

How long does it take to skim a cylinder head?

The time required to skim a cylinder head depends on the motor size, damage level, number of cuts needed, and machinist skill. In general:

• 4 cylinder engines – 1-2 hours
• 6 cylinder engines – 2-3 hours 
• 8 cylinder engines – 2-4 hours
• Performance engines – 3-5 hours

Shops usually schedule 3 hours for an average V6 or V8 cylinder head skim job. Severely damaged heads can take double the time. 

Why is it important to skim a cylinder head?

Skimming the cylinder head is critical because warped heads cause:

• Loss of compression from uneven sealing with the head gasket, reducing engine power.
• Overheating from gas leaks between the chambers.
• Oil leaks from irregular sealing surfaces.
• Increased risk of blown head gasket from excessive pressure.

Skimming removes any warpage and creates a perfectly flat sealing surface for good compression and cooling.

When should you skim a cylinder head?

The signs indicating a cylinder head needs skimming include:

• Rough idle from leaking compression.
• Failed cylinder leak-down tests during inspection.
• Visible damage like cracks or corrosion pits.
• Overheating issues and loss of coolant.
• Oil leaks between the head and engine block.

Any time the head gasket is removed, best practice is to skim the mating surfaces of the head and block to maximize sealing.

Is a cylinder head expensive?

Yes, a new or remanufactured cylinder head is quite expensive, often costing $500 to $2000 or more depending on the vehicle. The labor to install a head is also costly, so a full repair can run $1000 to $4000 in many cases.

How hard is it to remove a cylinder head?

Removing a cylinder head is moderately difficult and requires some mechanical experience. The process involves disconnecting fuel and cooling lines, exhaust components, sensors, rocker arms and other parts before unbolting the head. Proper procedures must be followed to avoid damage.

What is skimming a cylinder head?

Skimming a cylinder head is machining or milling the head’s sealing surface flat again after it has become warped. This flattens any imperfections for a tight seal with the head gasket and proper compression.