The head gasket is one of the most important parts of your engine. We will talk below about its specific purpose. If the head gasket gets cracked, it will take a partial engine rebuild to replace it. We can do that here at our shop. Let’s talk about the head gasket and everything you need to know.
What Does the Head Gasket Do?
The head gasket is located above the cylinder block. It forms a seal over the block to prevent compression from escaping. In order for the engine to produce combustion, which you need for the engine to start and run, compression must build up inside of the cylinder block. The cylinder block is also called the combustion chamber because the air and fuel are mixed and ignited in the cylinders.
In addition to creating a seal to encourage the build-up of compression, the head gasket also forms a seal to prevent coolant and motor oil from leaking into the cylinders. It is crucial that the only fluid in each cylinder is the fuel from the fuel tank. If coolant or motor oil contaminates the cylinder block, you will have a number of problems that we will discuss further below.
How Does it Crack?
As we mentioned above, repairing a cracked head gasket requires a partial engine rebuild. This engine damage is serious. In fact, if the head gasket cracks, it is better to have your vehicle towed to our shop rather than continue to drive it. The most common thing that will crack a head gasket is excess heat in the engine. In other words, you drive your vehicle when the engine is overheating.
Signs My Head Gasket Is Cracked
You may not realize that the gasket is cracked at first, but, eventually, there will be noticeable signs that point to a cracked head gasket. These signs are
- Excessive coolant loss in the engine
- An engine that overheats constantly
- Coolant that boils in the engine
- White engine exhaust smoke
- Motor oil that looks like a milkshake
When the gasket cracks, the coolant immediately starts to leak into the cylinders where it is burned away. This not only causes the engine to overheat but also produces the white exhaust smoke. In some cases, the engine will get so hot that the coolant will reach a boiling point. In addition, the coolant will mix with the motor oil and turn it milky-white.
These are the reasons why you should not drive your automobile. Continuing to operate the vehicle can cause additional damage to your engine. Have your vehicle towed to our shop right away if you suspect that you have a crack in the head gasket.