A blown head gasket is not something you want to have happen with your vehicle. There are any number of reasons it can occur (coolant leak, leaking oil or loss of compression). While a blown head gasket could mean the end of a car engine, there is some good news – with proper maintenance, it can be avoided. Read on to learn more.
The head gasket seals off the engine coolant so it doesn’t enter into the engine block. Because a head gasket is exposed to a wide range of operating temperatures, some of them extremely hot, the head gasket will wear out over time. To replace a head gasket required the disassembly of the engine.
The most common reason a head gasket fails is an overheated engine. When a vehicle engine is allowed to overheat, the cylinder head can expand to crush the head gasket. When this happens, coolant can seep into the engine and contaminate the oil.
The following are some of the common signs of a head gasket problem:
- Coolant leaks onto the ground below the exhaust manifold.
- White smoke will come from the exhaust pipe.
- The engine will overheat.
- Bubbles can be seen in the radiator or the coolant overflow tank.
- The engine oil will have a white, milky appearance.
- You will have to replace coolant, even though you may not notice any external leaks.
How to Prevent Head Gasket Failure
You can prevent a blown head gasket by making sure the engine doesn’t overheat. That means regularly maintaining the cooling system. Inspect belts and replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommended schedule. Inspect hoses and replace them at any sign of aging, cracking or bulging. Flush and replace the coolant at least every two years.
The best and simplest way to maintain the cooling system is to bring your vehicle to Country Road Automotive. With each service, we complete a 28-point courtesy inspection and will tell you whether any belts, hoses or the coolant needs to be replaced. If you have an engine that is overheating, we can fix that, too. Give us a call today to schedule maintenance or repair on your vehicle’s cooling system.
photo credit: cseeman Less Grand Traverse (Saline, Michigan) via photopin (license)