What is a blown head gasket?
A head gasket sits between the cylinder head and block of an engine. It is there to seal the two mating surfaces between the top and bottom sections of the engine. The head gasket is unique in that it has to seal oil, coolant and compression. This means it is the most stressed gasket of an engine and therefore one of the most likely to fail. The head gasket should last for many tens of thousands of miles. However, they are known to fail in cars that have overheating issues, high mileage and older cars.
There are a number of indicators that a head gasket has failed or blown including a mayonnaise like substance on the underside of the oil filler cap or dipstick. This can be caused by mixing of the water and oil through the blown gasket. Poor engine performance can be another indicator as the failed gasket allows the compressed air / fuel to escape reducing compression and therefore performance. A vehicle emitting blue exhaust smoke can also indicate a blown head gasket as the engine is burning oil that is entering the chambers. This can quickly destroy a catalytic converter.
A replacement head gasket is typically a relatively cheap part, around £20 – £40. However, the labour hours required for the replacement will significantly increase the cost of a repair as it obviously not an easily accessible engine component. The replacement of a head gasket should only be undertaken by a professional to ensure required tools are available and correct refitting to ensure a successful repair. The head gasket features steel rings which are crushed when the cylinder head is tightened onto the engine block to provide a seal capable of dealing with the high temperatures and pressures involved. The correct torque settings must be used to ensure the seals function.
Does head gasket sealer work?
There are head sealer gasket products on the market that claim to repair the damaged area of a head gasket. These products are liquids that are poured into the radiator cooling system and the engine is left to run for 30 minutes or so. The sealant works by moving around the engine and setting in the damaged space to form a temporary seal. However, this is only a temporary solution that could fail again at any time causing potentially bigger issues. These liquid sealer products also can block small coolant passages leading to overheating and increased problems. We definitely do not recommend these products as they fail to address the issue and can lead to significantly worse problems at any point.
If you suspect head gasket failure for your vehicle it is important to act quickly to prevent any additional damage. Please call the Premier Group mechanical team for all your head gasket needs. Premier Group are highly experienced in head gasket replacements for all makes and models.
Call Premier Group on Cannock (01543) 426378.