Head gasket failure can be a very frustrating and scary experience. If you’re dealing with this problem, you need to know how to get it fixed quickly. In this article, you will learn about what head gasket failure is and how drivers should deal with it when they encounter the problem.
Replace The Thermostat If It’s Faulty
Overheating is never good when it comes to cars. A faulty thermostat can also cause a blown gasket so be extra careful to make sure it works right. If not, you need to replace it. If the thermostat is faulty, it’s not going to open when it needs to let coolant in or close when the engine gets too hot so water isn’t circulating through your vehicle properly and you can get a blown head gasket which will have some expensive consequences down the line.
So what are the symptoms of having a bad thermostat? It’s pretty easy to tell if your car is heating up more than normal because that means there’s something wrong with how much cold liquid gets into your engine after all this should be regulated by your thermostat. A functioning one should regulate exactly how much warmer liquid goes back out of your motor because it has opened fully letting coolant move freely throughout your block but an issue here can cause a lot of damage.
Replace All Spark Plugs
Sometimes, you’ll need to replace all the spark plugs instead of just dealing with head gasket failure. If your car engine is having a hard time starting up, it could be because you have bad or worn-out spark plugs! These are an important part of maintaining your car and taking care of them will help prevent any other major problems down the road.
Your vehicle’s V-shaped cylinder heads allow enough heat for ignition, by compression, but not too much that makes things go wrong or explode (which would happen if sparks were allowed to travel past cylinders). The reason why this happens is that between each pair of cylinders lies an open space called a ‘spark plug gap’. When these gaps coincide at the top center (TDC) there is a chance for the spark to jump and ignite the air-fuel mixture in that cylinder. The more gaps between cylinders, the greater the likelihood of misfires.
Check The Coolant Level
When dealing with head gasket failure, it is important for drivers to check the coolant level. If there are low levels of coolant in the engine block or radiator, head gasket failure may be imminent so dealing with this issue quickly will help avoid major problems.
Here’s how to spot a problem with the coolant level:
- The engine may start overheating due to a lack of coolant, causing the temperature gauge on your dashboard to go up.
- There may be a leak in the radiator or hoses if there is a low water level in either one.
- Check the radiator cap to make sure it is not damaged and has a good seal.
- The lowest section of the radiator may be dry, this will also indicate dealing with head gasket failure.
Inspect The Hoses For Cracks And Leaks
Damaged hoses can lead to head gasket failure. You might have been dealing with a blown hose for quite some time before noticing any warning signs, so it’s important that you inspect them regularly. The most common symptom of damaged hoses is an engine overheating due to lack of water circulation through the coolant system because the radiator cap has failed or the hose has been compromised.
Change Out The Air And Fuel Filters
When this problem occurs, you should also change out the air and fuel filters. This is done because if there is too much debris in either one of these components, it can cause issues with your engine overheating.
To change the air filters, start by removing the air filter housing. Then, remove the element from inside of it and place a new one in its place. To replace the fuel filter, the best method is to remove it from below. Then, simply slide the new one in until it is secure.
Get An Oil Change
A simple oil change can also be very useful in dealing with head gasket failure. The oil acts as a lubricant for the engine, helping it to run smoothly and preventing damage from friction-related heat sources. When an oil change is overdue or done improperly, contaminants can build up in the engine, causing a sludge that will eventually clog vital passages within your vehicle’s motor. This leads to overheating and, in many cases of severe head gasket failure, engine replacement.
Head gasket failure can be dangerous to you and damaging to your car, so make sure to check if the thermostat is faulty, and change the spark plugs if needed. Also, check the coolant level and inspect the hoses for cracks and leaks. Another thing you can do is change the fuel and air filters and get a regular oil change. These things should help you get everything under control, but it’s also recommended to get a new head gasket!
