Moreover, some engines are just designed with poor clamping force from the head bolts, or have heads prone to warping, and a reputation for failure. A head gasket failure may be caused by an engine overheating one too many times as a result of a clogged radiator, coolant leak, faulty fan, etc.
Hot exhaust gases can leak into the cooling system, or coolant can leak into the cylinders and be burned off as steam, either way, the end result is an overheating engine. If the car is driven while overheating, it can also result in the alloy cylinder head warping, or steam damaging the catalytic converter, adding significantly to the cost of repair. This loss of compression results in a rough running engine and a notable reduction in engine power.
This sort of failure typically is accompanied by a sound like an exhaust leak. 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 you notice froth on the dipstick, there may be coolant mixed in with the oil due to a faulty head gasket. Watch for sweet smelling white smoke with water droplets coming from the exhaust pipe. This could be a sign that the head gasket has been blown off [source: Cars Direct ].
Can you drive a car with a blown head gasket? No, this is actually dangerous. The engine could overheat and start a fire, or coolant could enter the cylinders and cause other problems. How do I know if my head gasket is blown? What happens if you blow a head gasket?
A blown head gasket can cause engine malfunction and significant loss of engine power. A blown or cracked head gasket can cause one of two problems:. You can also watch for white smoke coming from your tailpipe, another indication that you have a cracked or blown head gasket.
Our blown head gasket formulations work to permanently seal head gasket leaks without the need for costly and time-consuming head gasket replacement. We know head gasket issues are complex and can be intimidating. If you have questions about your head gasket problem, we can help. Always has been. The most common reason there is a damaged or blown head gasket is often a result of an engine that has become too hot. High engine temperatures are typically caused by a lack of coolant within the radiator- as there may be some sort of leak.
Some gaskets are likely to weaken sooner than other gaskets. This depends on the gasket is made of. For example, aluminum, expands quicker, once it is heated. In fact, many metals that have a higher thermal expansion rate are more sensitive to hot temperatures. With those hotter temperatures this can cause the object to change shape, as well as an unfavorable outcome. Choosing to operate a vehicle with a blown gasket can cause danger as well as irreparable damage to the engine.
While the gasket is used as a seal, it helps to maintain pressure in the engine which is key. When that gasket blows, that gasket can no longer act as a seal. Once you have coolant inside the combustion chambers, it will then mix as well as dilute with the engine oil.
This will also affect the cooling capabilities. As we mentioned before, it is not safe to operate a car with a blown head gasket. There may also be loss of engine power caused by lower cylinder compression- due to your blown head gasket. Once you experience one of these symptoms, shut the engine down and do not release the pressure. Take your vehicle to an auto professional for repair, ASAP. The best way to prevent head gasket failure in your car is to maintain the engine coolant at the proper level.
If you continue to drive your car knowing that you have a blown head gasket, you are driving down a road of irreversible damage to your engine. You risk the engine overheating and then locking. Ignoring your blown head gasket can also lead to such problems as a warped head or even a cracked engine block.
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