At The Workshop Reading, we’re expanding our services and we’re excited to announce that Cylinder Head Skimming and Pressure Testing will be coming soon in Reading.
If your vehicle has suffered from overheating, coolant loss, oil mixing with water, white smoke from the exhaust, poor compression, or a suspected head gasket failure, the cylinder head may be warped or cracked. In these cases, simply replacing the gasket is often not enough — the head must be checked and corrected properly to avoid repeat failure.
That’s why we’ll soon be offering a professional service for:
✅ Cylinder Head Skimming (Head Resurfacing)
✅ Cylinder Head Pressure Testing
✅ Inspection for cracks, warping and damage
✅ Advice on head gasket issues and overheating repairs
At The Workshop Reading, we use the COMEC RP850 cylinder head skimming machine to deliver accurate, professional resurfacing for modern and traditional engines. This is a high-quality Italian-built machine designed specifically for cylinder heads, giving a perfect, consistent finish that helps restore correct sealing and engine performance.
The COMEC RP850 is one of the most respected cylinder head resurfacing machines on the market. It offers:
High-precision skimming for petrol and diesel cylinder heads
Smooth surface finish suitable for modern gasket types
Stable, heavy-duty construction for consistent results
Professional machining accuracy for reliable sealing and long engine life
Perfect for cars and vans, including many common UK engine types
Professional Cylinder Head Machining in Reading
Our cylinder head skimming service is ideal for:
Head gasket repairs
Cylinder head rebuilds
Overheating damage
Coolant loss and oil mixing issues
Warped or uneven cylinder head surfaces
Not all cylinder head skimming is the same. A poor-quality skim can leave lines, chatter marks, uneven surfaces, or the wrong finish — and that can lead to repeat head gasket failure, coolant leaks, oil leaks, or overheating again.
At The Workshop Reading, we offer precision cylinder head skimming using a high-quality professional resurfacing machine designed specifically for cylinder heads. This allows us to achieve a clean, smooth and consistent finish, helping your engine seal correctly and run reliably.
Why Our Head Skimming Service is Different
We regularly see cylinder heads skimmed elsewhere in Reading with poor surface finish, uneven machining, or clamping marks. That’s why we use proper fixturing and precision machining to achieve a clean, flat gasket surface.
Common Problems We Fix
If you’ve had a head skim elsewhere and you’re not happy, we can help. Customers often come to us after experiencing:
Visible machining lines / rough finish
Head gasket failure again shortly after repair
Ongoing coolant loss or pressure issues
Overheating and repeat breakdowns
Poor running or misfire after head work
Book Cylinder Head Skimming in Reading
If your engine has overheated or you’re doing a head gasket repair, our cylinder head skimming service helps you do the job once — properly.
Cylinder Head Skimming – Prices
All prices below are inclusive of VAT.
Extra Services (Inc. VAT)
Valve removal price : £2.40 per valve
Pressure testing + vacuum test : £80.00
Cylinder Head Skimming Prices (Inc. VAT)
3 cylinder: £72.00
4 cylinder: £84.00
5 cylinder: £96.00
6 cylinder: £108.00
If any additional work is required (for example cleaning, broken bolts, damaged surfaces, cracks found during testing, or extra machining), we will always inform you first and confirm the cost before any work is carried out.
✅ Postal Service Available
You can send your cylinder head to us and we can inspect it and advise before any work is carried out.
Return delivery (UK): £24.00 (paid upfront)
Not all cylinder head skimming is the same. Some garages rush the job, use basic or worn equipment, or fail to clamp the head correctly. The result can look “skimmed”, but the surface may be scratched, uneven, or poorly finished, which can lead to sealing issues and repeat head gasket failure.
The photos below show the difference between poor-quality skimming and a proper professional skim finish.
✅ A correctly skimmed cylinder head should have✅
A smooth, clean, even surface finish
No deep scratches or gouges
Consistent machining marks across the gasket face
Correct flatness for long-term sealing
If you’re unsure about a previous skimming job, we can inspect the head and advise before any further work is carried out.
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