How much will it cost to replace the head gasket (Ford Escort)?

[Ðürr§oñ²]

My head gasket has blown.. unsure of the amount of damage so far..

1) Driving along, steam/smoke filled the inside of the car
2) Engine had no power (like it was not in gear)
3) Popped bonnet steam everywhere
4) Small amount of black smoke coming from exhaust (lasted 2-3 min)
5) When engine cooled (a little) - opened water tank - No water!
6) Cooled loads more, filled water tank and blead radiator
7) Cooling fan (electric) not working
8) Internal heating system working but blowing cold air
9) Car did start after all this but very 'chuggy' - can't drive it without risk of another breakdown..

Thanks for any help you can offer.. (I'm a brand new driver, recently passed my test and only had the car for 5 days)!

Can anyone inform me how much I can expect to pay for this, it's gone a friend of a friend who is a car mechanic

Thanks,

[DreFeelgood]

I cant tell you exactly how much, but it is expensive. Head gaskets are extremely expensive. Its not the head gasket thats expensive, its the labor. It takes a lot of work to fix. Probably somewhere between $800 and $900.