The Most Common Signs of a Worn Head Gasket In Your Engine

by mistywilliamson on Aug 25th, 2022 13:46 PM

Similar to how it is difficult to imagine any mechanical movement without lubrication, it is impossible to imagine an automobile without gaskets and seals. 

They serve as the silent guardians of different kinds of liquid restrictions, and each plays a unique role in this process.

The most common and critical component, the head gasket, protects the engine cylinder from the engine oil as well as coolant inflow. A car's internal combustion engine consists of two parts; one is the cylinder block, and the other is the head. The cylinder block contains the cylinder and the pistons, while the head is responsible for having valve spark plugs, the camshaft, etc.

However, both components work together while they have to be mutually exclusive. It means that they need some sort of cushion in between so that the engine oil or coolant cannot infiltrate inside the cylinder.

However, there might be a real problem when the head gasket starts to wear and tear. As it is necessary to comprehend the signs of a worn head gasket, so that you can take action on time for your car maintenance.

Significant White Smoke from Exhaust



A major sign of a head gasket problem is a substantial amount of smoke at the tailpipe. However, it is not a good sign as the white smoke is the result of the infiltration of a liquid inside the combustion chamber. In most cases, the coolant is the main culprit behind the white smoke. It also means that there is sufficient wear and tear on the head gasket and it has lost the capability of blocking the infiltration.

However, the white smoke should come once you accelerate the engine properly. Sometimes, you may notice some sort of smell in the morning due to condensation, but it might not be a sign of a problem until the smoke persists.

Declining Coolant Level Even Though There Are No Signs of Leaks



Isn't better that a sign might hint on problem at the earliest stage? It becomes necessary if the component is critical such as car engine.

A declining coolant level hints at your automobile head gasket problem. Fluids may seep into the combustion chamber through a head gasket internal leak and burn as they exit the engine.
 
Therefore, you would notice that your coolant was disappearing without a trace as the coolant would constantly be burned off in combustion.Adversely, this also impact of engine temperature as it would be higher side.

You might have an internal leak if your coolant levels seem to be on the lower side without any obvious leaks.
 
You could also check the smoke colour again to be even more certain. However, you can take the help of a professional for car engine diagnosis to settle the problem.

Overheating Engine with Frequent Misfire



The failure of head gasket invites the coolant inside the combustion chamber, so there would always be a lack of capacity of cooling. Here,an overheating engine is obvious. However, the leakage also affects the combustion process, and as of result, the misfire occurs.

An unexplained coolant loss with engine misfire approves the engine head gasket issue and need immediate attention to prevent further damages. A negligence often results into engine damage and you do not get relief without a car engine repair.

Visible Bubbling In Coolant Reservoir



A head gasket is not only restricting the coolant insides combustion chamber, it also blocks the gases to leak under the hood as these gases should release to the exhaust after combustion process.

A worn head gasket cannot block these gases and they might release around the engine while contaminating the coolant. 

In some cases, there is visible bubbling as the colour of coolant might go black.

The sheet that makes up the head gasket has numerous holes strategically placed throughout it so that fluids can pass through. A cascade of issues in the engine could result from any one of those cracks. The fluids won't be properly contained, and you'll see that some of them are mingling with one another.

Fluctuating RPMs



A notable symptoms of a damaged head gasket is fluctuating RPMs. However, RPM fluctuation might occur due to a number of reasons; however, a gasket issue is also a major cause of concern.

You can verify that is it actually a head gasket issue if there are other visible signs also such as white smoke or reduction in the level of coolant.

However, you can opt for an expert assessment or even a car scanning and diagnostics service at a reliable service centre such as Service My Car.

Neither purchasing a head gasket nor replacing it, is very expensive affair. However, ignoring it might turn into something that ends up burning a hole in your pocket. You can reach to the point where you need to purchase a head gasket if there is a sign and you posses enough knowledge to understand the same.

The abovementioned signs may help you to identify an issue with a poor head gasket. One of these symptoms will typically appear as a head gasket begins to blow, while others also do not late too much time.

In case, you notice one or more of these signs and doubt about a head gasket leakage, just approach to Service My Car for proper inspection, as well as head gasket replacement for a trusted car repair.

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