Vehicle Maintenance Head Gasket

By Mariana Saenzpardo

The head gasket plays a very important role in the function of your car’s engine.

head gasket

Head Gasket Basics

The head gasket plays a very important role in the function of your car’s engine. A blown head gasket is often a common cause for a number of symptoms and can cause serious damages to your engine if not fixed. Things such as coolant in the engine oil, a misfiring engine or oil leaking from the engine could all be symptoms of a blown head gasket.  However these symptoms could all have other causes and an actual blown head gasket may not show the symptoms noted above.

The head gasket is a seal that is fitted between the piston cylinder head and the engine block. It seals the internal combustion process which also keeps the coolant and oil from mixing together as the two different fluids travel from the engine block to the cylinder head.

Blown Head Gasket Symptoms

  • Keep a close eye on your engine temperature gauge, if your engine is constantly overheating it may be a symptom of a blown head gasket.

  • Carry out regular checks on the engine coolant level. If the car is constantly losing coolant then it could be because your car’s coolant is leaking from the cooling system into the oil pan. This happens when the head gasket is blown.

  • When checking your car’s oil level with the oil dipstick, look to see if there’s froth on the dipstick. The froth could indicate that the coolant is being mixed in with the oil due to a head gasket problem.

  • If you’ve got sweet smelling white smoke with water droplets coming from the exhaust pipe this could also be a sign of a blown head gasket.

What To Do If You’ve Got A Blown Head Gasket

A blown head gasket is a serious issue and will need fixing. People can buy new head gaskets from various car part retailers. The reason why the head gasket is so expensive to repair is because of labour costs. It requires a lot of time to change the head gasket, which is why sometimes it could end up costing more than what your cars worth.

Vehicle maintenance is key to avoiding a blown head gasket. If you spot a leak in your engine then find whatever is leaking and get it replaced as soon as possible, one of the worst things you can do (in the long run) is to use a coolant leak sealer to stop a leak as it will only cause more problems. Getting a full car service will also prolong the life of your engine.

Get a Free Vehicle Check with Protyre

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Choosing the Right Tyre Made Easy

When it comes to your car's safety and performance, tyres can play a huge role. That's why we've put together a collection of helpful articles to guide you through the process of selecting the perfect tyres for your ride and maintaining your vehicle in general.

If you're looking for a smoother, more luxurious driving experience, premium car tyres might be the way to go. Or, if you want added security against flats, run flat car tyres could be your best bet. Trying to decide between summer car tyres and winter car tyres? We've got you covered there, too.

We also dive into the world of tyre brands, comparing top manufacturers like BF Goodrich tyres, Bridgestone tyres, Continental tyres, Dunlop tyres, Falken tyres, General tyres, Goodyear tyres, GT Radial tyres , Hankook tyres, Michelin tyres, Pirelli tyres, Runway tyres, Sumitomo tyres, and Toyo tyres.

But we don't just stop at helping you choose the right tyres – we also share tips on how to keep them in tip-top shape. From checking your tread depth and keeping your tyres properly inflated to extending their life through regular rotation and balancing, our articles have got you covered.

So, whether you're a car enthusiast or just looking to keep your vehicle safe and reliable, our car help and advice articles are here to help you make informed decisions about your tyres. Check them out and feel confident in your tyre choices!

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About the author

Article Author Photo
By Mariana Saenzpardo
Mariana is a Digital Marketing Specialist for Protyre who is also responsible for the running of our Protyre website.
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