How Much Does Cylinder Head Repair Cost in UAE?
Cylinder head repair in the UAE costs between AED 1,800 and AED 4,500 for a standard four-cylinder engine in 2026, covering head removal, machine shop reconditioning, a new head gasket set, and refitting. If the head is cracked and requires outright replacement, the cost of a new or remanufactured cylinder head is added on top of the labour. V6 and V8 engines are significantly more expensive across all categories.
Cylinder Head Repair Cost Table UAE 2026
| Repair Type | Engine | Estimated Cost (AED) |
|---|---|---|
| Head gasket + skim (4-cyl) | Japanese/Korean | 1,800 – 3,000 |
| Head gasket + skim (4-cyl) | European | 2,200 – 4,000 |
| Head gasket + skim (V6) | Any | 3,500 – 6,500 |
| Head gasket + skim (V8) | Any | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Cylinder head replacement (4-cyl) | Japanese/Korean | 3,500 – 6,000 |
| Cylinder head replacement (European) | 4-cyl to V8 | 5,000 – 15,000+ |
What Is Included in Cylinder Head Repair?
- Engine coolant drain and removal of all components above the cylinder head
- Cylinder head removal and transport to machine shop
- Machine shop: head surface inspection and flatness test
- Machine shop: head pressure test to detect cracks
- Machine shop: head resurfacing (skimming) to restore flat sealing surface
- Machine shop: valve stem seal, valve guide, and valve seat reconditioning
- Workshop: new head gasket set, new head bolts, reassembly
- Cooling system refill and pressure test before vehicle is returned to service
Signs Your Cylinder Head Needs Repair
White or grey sweet-smelling smoke from the exhaust when the engine has warmed up indicates coolant burning in the combustion chamber, which is the most reliable sign of a blown head gasket. Milky or foamy oil on the dipstick shows coolant has entered the oil system. Persistent unexplained coolant loss, recurring overheating after the cooling system has been refilled, and bubbles visible in the radiator expansion tank when the engine is running all point to head gasket failure. A specialist will perform a combustion gas test of the coolant to confirm the diagnosis before recommending head removal.
Will My Car Overheat Again After Cylinder Head Repair?
If the root cause of the overheating is addressed at the same time as the head repair, a correctly repaired engine should not overheat again. When removing the head, a responsible workshop will also inspect and test the thermostat, water pump, radiator, radiator cap, and all cooling hoses. Replacing worn cooling system components at the same time as the head repair prevents a repeat failure. The cooling system should be refilled with fresh coolant of the correct specification and the system pressure-tested before the repair is considered complete.