Sorry to hear about your issues mate!
But for what its worth, a month ago when I joined the site I was, and am still pretty much a donkey when It comes to the spanners! Had spent the last 20 years running my cars into my local garage at the slightest blip in performance. When I came here I was paping me pants about doing anything under the bonnet, it all meant nothing to me!
I eventualy plucked up the balls to have a go at a small job uner the bonnet, cleaning out the breathers, which I was terrfied to do as I just didnt have a clue!
After reading the maintenance guides, and me posting an onslaught of donkey questions, i started to get there!
Last week I did the rocker covers on my V6, again asking a lot of daft questions. I tend to take a digi pic, post it, and ask 'Whats this bit do then?"
I guess Im saying, dont be afraid to ask donkey questions if you are lost on what to do, there very patient here, and god knows they need to be with me!

£400 for rocker gaskets? A month ago I would have paid someone to do it! I did it myself last week in a morning mate, and it cost me £45 and a pot of sealent! And I was in the same possition as you are now! Clueless!
Dont be afraid to use the forum for it main purpose mate! To help:y