The Most Common Symptoms, Causes, and Solutions for a Blown Head Gasket

Bear in mind that your engine's head gasket is crucial to its effective performance. Between the cylinder head and the engine block lies this engine component.

You could start to wonder what caused the issue or what symptoms of a blown head gasket you might have missed or disregarded. Gaskets help in the formation of optimal compression by sealing the engine cylinders while also limiting the leaking of engine oil and coolant.

If you own a car, nothing can start a bad day/mood faster than a blown head gasket. When you notice the symptoms, you can instantly see the dent in your money account that the repair and labour charges will cause, not to mention the irritation. This can also cause your MOT emissions test to fail, so check MOT expiration date and have this problem fixed.

With that in mind, below are several signs or symptoms that your vehicle's gasket has failed.

Symptoms and Signs of a Blown Head Gasket

One of the most significant car engine problems is a faulty gasket. So, how can you know whether your car has this issue? Any of the following symptoms should raise a red flag and encourage you to consult your trusted technician:

hite Exhaust Smoke

If you notice white smoke coming from your exhaust pipe, your gasket may have burst. This happens when antifreeze leaks into your car's combustion chamber. The coolant condenses into steam as a result of the searing heat, which leaves via the exhaust as white smoke. A sweet smell accompanies the rising smoke. Check MOT history of your car and see if there is a previous pattern in failed emissions tests.

Dirty Spark Plugs

While numerous engine issues may leave small, white deposits on your vehicle's spark plugs, a ruptured head gasket is also a possibility. These deposits occur when the coolant inside the combustion chamber is exposed to high temperatures. Examine your spark plugs for any indication of such deposits surrounding the electrode or ground strap.

Engine Power Loss

The compressed combination of air and fuel escapes when your head gasket breaks to the degree where your combustion chamber is damaged. As a result of this situation, the compression inside your engine cylinder is decreased, resulting in a substantial loss of engine power. Due to the possibility of further fluid leaks, this may not be conclusive proof of a cracked head gasket, but it should not be ruled out until your car is evaluated by a qualified repair expert.

Bubbles in your Radiator

Don't be alarmed if you discover bubbles in your radiator. If your head gasket breaks, exhaust gases may leak into your antifreeze/coolant. As a result, bubbles will develop in your radiator, giving the impression that the coolant is boiling. To check for the presence of exhaust fumes in your coolant, request your car mechanic to do a blown head gasket test. Before that, complete a MOT history check and go through the service paperwork to see if there are any previous related issues that you can update your mechanic about.

Overheating

Overheating in a car engine may be caused by a variety of factors, including a faulty cooling fan or leaking antifreeze, but it can also be caused by a broken head gasket. This problem is usually caused by a lack of coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, where it is transformed to steam. If this problem isn't handled right away, it can lead to more serious engine problems including cylinder head warping or cracking.Antifreeze Mixes with Engine Oil

Antifreeze seeps into the engine oil as it enters the combustion chamber of your car. As a result, as the oil interacts with water over time, it turns milky white. On your dipstick and the underside of your oil cap, look for evidence of this combination. Coolant degrades the lubricating properties of your oil, resulting in increased wear and tear on the bearings and cylinder walls. Coolant degrades the lubricating properties of your oil, resulting in increased wear and tear on the bearings and cylinder walls.

External Head Gasket Leak

This is the most basic indication of a blown head gasket. When the head gasket between the engine's exterior and the oil or water channel breaks, this happens. This condition may result in an oil or coolant leak from behind the exhaust or intake manifold after the vehicle is completely warmed up. Detecting a leak may be straightforward if there are no other cooling paths near your head gasket. An ultraviolet (UV) dye, on the other hand, may be useful if you locate other adjacent cooling pipes. Simply put the dye into the antifreeze/coolant and use a UV light to check for a head gasket leak.

Many car owners wonder whether they can drive with a damaged head gasket. If you notice one or more of the following symptoms, the best course of action is to avoid driving your car until the problem is repaired. Keep in mind that the engine block might be damaged by the cold coolant and hot gases seeping through the gasket, as well as the metal head breaking or warping.

What Are the Symptoms of a Blown Head Gasket?

When your head gasket fails, the first thing you should do is determine what caused it to fail. After that, you should think about head gasket repair or replacement. Installing a new gasket without first addressing the issue will cause the gasket to be destroyed. So, what causes a head gasket to burst:

Overheating of the Engine

Overheating is the most common cause of head gasket failure. When the engine overheats, the gasket is exposed to extremely high temperatures. The engine block and head expand at different rates as a consequence, causing the head gasket to collapse. In addition, the created expansion gap degrades the seal, causing compression loss and leaks. However, before you replace the damaged gasket, you need figure out why your engine is overheating and fix it. A clogged radiator, a damaged radiator fan, or a coolant leak are just a few of the causes.

Pre-ignition and Detonation Issues

In a normal combustion process, the flame that ignites and burns your car's air/fuel mixture in the chamber spreads smoothly and evenly. On the other hand, low-octane fuel, a lean mixture, and overheating can disturb this process, resulting in abnormal combustion such as pre-ignition or detonation. Before the spark plugs are ignited, pre-ignition occurs. When two combustion spots contact, a pinging sound is produced. Problems with the cooling system, carbon deposits inside the chamber, and an overheated exhaust valve, among other reasons, cause pre-ignition. Detonation happens when the ignition inside the cylinder occurs slowly. Pressure builds up as a result of this process, resulting in a secondary ignition point that collides with the initial combustion process. Internal vibrations are produced as a result of the loud knock sound caused by the accident, which might damage your gasket. Detonation can be caused by low-octane gasoline, advanced ignition timing, or inadequate fuel distribution in the cylinder.

Hot Spots

Some engines, especially those with a cylinder head and central cylinders, are prone to hot spots. On the other hand, aftermarket gaskets for such engines are strengthened to decrease the danger of destroying the head gasket. Furthermore, replacing your existing OEM gasket with the wrong gasket may result in a blown head gasket.Bad Installation - In this case, loosehead bolts and a failure to tighten them to the correct tension might be the cause of poor installation. Errors include reusing old/used head bolts, tightening in the wrong order, failing to clean the block surface, and even utilising one or more compromised head bolts. These factors, alone or in combination, pose a danger to your head gasket's integrity.

Check MOT history online and thoroughly go though your service paperwork to see if the above symptoms were ever an issue in the past and what repair work was completed to resolve or fix the issue.

What Should You Do If Your Head Gasket Fails?

The last thing you should do if you see indications of a broken head gasket is ignore them. If you don't take care of this problem right away, it might cause damage to your exhaust system, fuel injection system, and, in the worst-case scenario, the entire engine. If you suspect a blown head gasket, pull over and have the automobile towed to a mechanic for a thorough examination. You might wish to consider the following options as a possible next step:

Replacing a Blown Head Gasket

A head gasket sealer may not be enough if your car has a big leak. In these situations, asking your trusted expert on how to replace a gasket in your engine is the finest option. Keep in mind that time is of the essence when it comes to preventing additional engine damage. Unfortunately, if you lack the essential technical skills, you will be needed to spend a substantial sum for installation services. Flush the radiator to remove the engine oil and antifreeze before replacing the head gasket. This method will clear the cooling system of rust and debris, allowing you to replace the coolant with clean antifreeze after it's finished. By removing the top component, you may check the amount of the damage, clean the area, and prepare it for the new gasket. Keep all of the little bits you remove in a safe, clean place.

Use a Gasket Sealant

A gasket sealant is an excellent solution if you're searching for a cost-effective approach to replace a blown head gasket. Professional-grade sealants are available to help drivers plug gasket leaks. The gasket sealing components have been reinforced using carbon fibre. Most formulas have antifreeze compatibility as well. You won't have to drain your antifreeze to utilise the sealant as a consequence. After you've finished, pour the sealant into your radiator and top it out with coolant. The next step is to start revving the engine for 5 to 10 minutes before shutting it down to allow the sealant to circulate properly. The sealer will form a tight seal in the engine block and head gasket once it has dried, preventing antifreeze leaking. Because there are so many sealants on the market, make sure you purchase from a trustworthy dealer and manufacturer.

As we've seen, a blown head gasket can be caused by a multitude of factors. If you've ever dealt with this problem, you know how serious it can be. While the cost of a gasket replacement may not have a significant impact on your budget, the repair work may be challenging. The easiest approach to prevent having to deal with a blown head gasket is to identify the common causes and learn how to avoid them.

Overheating is a typical cause of blown gaskets, as previously noted. The most prevalent reasons are a damaged radiator hose, a loosely held drive belt, a clogged radiator, a bad EGR system, a ruined radiator fan, and a broken radiator cap, to mention a few. Make sure your car's cooling system is in good operating condition by doing routine maintenance to avoid your engine overheating.

Additionally, anytime you're driving, you should keep a careful eye on your car's temperature gauge. Any sign of a hot engine should be taken seriously.