About Us. Contact Us. Part Finder. Select Language. Signs of a Blown Head Gasket. Message Regarding Your Privacy. I accept Submit Submit. What does a head gasket do? An engine creates large amounts of heat under operation. A difference in thermal expansion rates between the engine block and head mean the head gasket in between is subjected to high thermal and mechanical stresses that slowly wear the gasket down.
Natural vibrations from the engine and those created as the vehicle is driven down the road also fatigue the head gasket over time. Head bolts, which keep the head gasket sandwiched between the block and head, can start to weaken, break or stretch and possibly warp to allow increased friction and vibration wear.
A poor design that lacks sufficient clamping force from the head bolts can also cause failure. Allowing the coolant level to run low can cause damage to a head gasket.
Subscribe to updates. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Subscribe for the Best Product Info and Deals! All rights reserved. Exact matches only. Search in title. Prices climb to the top end of that estimated range when there are additional issues that need repairs. Opinions are split on how well quick fixes like head gasket sealers actually work. On one hand, they can provide a temporary solution to get you and your vehicle to the next service station.
One of the most famous signs of head gasket failure is the milky sludge on the underside of the oil filler cap or the dipstick, sometimes jokingly called a "milkshake". This is caused by coolant getting into the oil, and vice versa. Although not conclusive proof of head gasket failure this is generally a good indicator and is a sure sign your engine needs to come apart to find the source of contamination.
Repair requires at least an engine oil flush as well as a replacement oil filter, and often times complete disassembly of the bottom end of the engine to ensure the bearings aren't damaged and clear out all contaminated oil. A faulty head gasket most often results in billowing clouds of sweet-smelling white smoke coming from the exhaust. Thie smoke is caused by antifreeze leaking past the gasket and into the cylinders, where it is turned to steam as part of the combustion process.
Less common, but still possible, is a leak from an oil passage to the cylinder, which would cause blueish smoke. Either of these types of gasket failure will also allow combustion pressure into the cooling system or oil breather system.
If a radiator hose suddenly blows off its water outlet, or the dipstick won't stay put, this could be the reason. If a head gasket has failed between the water or oil passage and the outside of the engine, the result can be a simple coolant or oil leak.
This is the least dire version of a blown head gasket, but still serious. An external leak may not manifest itself as an immediate problem other than causing a mess , but if the coolant level is allowed to drop too far, it can lead to serious engine issues. The other issue is that leaking oil could get on the hot exhaust leading to acrid smoke, and possibly fire. A few dollars of prevention is much better than the several thousand dollar cure when it comes to head gaskets.
0コメント