Unfortunately, a blown head gasket can lead to big problems and can be quite expensive to repair. If you have experienced a blown head gasket or think your car has signs pointing toward one, continue reading!
We will take a look at what causes this issue, what you can expect to pay for a repair, and what your best options are to move forward. Before diving in too deep with the causes of the issue, it really helps if you understand the composition and function of a head gasket.
The head gasket on your vehicle sits between the engine block and the cylinder head, and it ensures there is a perfect seal between these two parts. Engine oil and coolant flow between the block and the heads, and without this gasket, those two fluids would mix and leak. That would not be good! If you have a head gasket leak or even worse, a total failure, then antifreeze and oil can find their way into the cylinders of your engine.
They might also begin to leak onto the outside of your engine. This can obviously create even more problems! They need to be made of a material that can withstand extreme temperatures as well as a lot of pressure. The most common types of head gasket materials are composite, copper, and multi-layer steel.
Generally, composite head gaskets are found on older vehicles. The material that these gaskets were made from sometimes contained asbestos or graphite. These types of gaskets are not as durable as the newer gaskets made from steel or copper, so they usually fail much quicker. If you have a car with a composite head gasket, you will probably be looking at a head gasket replacement sooner rather than later.
Copper head gaskets became quite popular due to the softness of the metal. Tightening the cylinder head down onto the engine block allowed a copper gasket to be squeezed and perfectly seal the two parts together. It could also withstand the high temperatures created inside the engine.
While some high performance engines still use copper head gaskets, the most popular choice today is multi-layer steel. These gaskets contain between two to five layers of steel with an elastic compound holding them all together.
This combination makes the gasket extremely durable and able to withstand the heat and compression necessary to last a long time. If you drive a car that was manufactured during the last two decades, you likely have a multi-layer steel head gasket.
Better yet, learn from others, and avoid models known to have a higher risk of these dreaded issues. Several BMWs made our list because they share common engines. CR members traced the problem back to an oil leak.
Another X1 owner said they worked with an independent shop that specialized in BMWs and saved 35 percent over the local dealership. On the other hand, the repairs on the Subaru Impreza were much less expensive.
To help warn both current owners and used-car shoppers, we have compiled a list of models from the past decade that stood out as having the most severe problems, as determined by frequency and cost.
The models are presented below in rank order, starting with the one with the greatest problem rate for CR members. We include the model year with the greatest problems and the typical mileage range when the problem occurs, then recommend similar alternative cars without this concern. Consumer Reports always recommends that shoppers consult the reliability ratings, based on our large-scale member surveys, to predict the models that have better odds of being trouble-free. This detailed data is found on the car model pages.
A New England native, I have piloted a wide variety of vehicles, from a Segway to an aircraft carrier. All told, I have driven thousands of vehicles—many on race tracks across the globe. Know the cause: The overheated engine could be caused by the head gasket.
You will probably see this happen on a lengthier drive. If you must, consider the status of the symptoms. Do you have a very small oil leak or puffs of concerning white smoke escaping from engine exhaust just ever so often? Or, do you have a car that overheats on the coldest of winter days after running for five minutes. If the engine is overheating or any other symptom is extensive, call a mechanic or a tow truck.
Final word: Can I drive my car with a blown head gasket? How much does head gasket replacement cost? A quick Internet search turns up some rough approximations. If there is head or block damage as a result of the blown head gasket, you may pay even more. The complexity of the job, the amount of time it takes to change the part, and the variations of each make and model are what drive up the cost of head gasket repair.
For example, some cars have multiple heads. Others have engines in which the head gasket is especially difficult to reach. The head gasket causes many, many problems when it leaks. You will be paying to replace belts, seals, and water pumps along the way. The costs can really add up fast! You certainly can! It may not work so well, however. They also require some mechanical knowledge as manufacturers state that a full cooling system flush and taking off the thermostat are required.
Here are some makes and models they often discuss when someone brings up bad head gaskets, according to Consumer Reports. As such, these vehicles typically lead to owners asking how much is a head gasket repair sooner rather than later. With the role of the gasket in mind, what does it mean when it blows? It is blown if it no longer seals your engine correctly. A blown gasket can cause a series of issues, including compression problems in the engine.
Those compression issues are likely to lead to overheating. Unfortunately, if the coolant does not remain in its designated spot, your engine will probably quickly overheat. In most cases, when a head gasket is broken, the seal separating the engine block and the cylinder head will stop working, typically due to a physical break. This lets the air and fuel mixture leave the cylinder head, resulting in a loss of torque and power. If you do not catch it on time, the oil and coolant may be allowed to enter the engine cylinders.
This can potentially lead to engine damage that requires a full engine replacement, not just the blown head gasket. The head gasket can fail for various reasons, with wear and tear among the most common. You are more likely need to learn how to replace the head gasket if your car is older due to this wear and tear. Failures are either internal or external.
External problems show head gasket leaking symptoms and other visible signs. Internal issues are less obvious, making it harder on how to tell if your headgasket is blown. It is also more common to notice problems if your car is highly tuned. That is because the increase in working temperatures, torque, power, and compression adds to the stress on the vehicle. As such, you are more likely to need to find the cost to fix the head gasket if you have a performance auto.
So with that in mind, it should come as no surprise that the cost to replace the headgasket will depend on the make and model of your vehicle, its age, and the extent of the issues with the head gasket. There will likely be one cost to fix the head gasket and another cost to replace the head gasket. The blown head gasket cost is so high because of the labor typically involved, in addition to the head gasket part cost.
Simply put, there are a lot of head gasket labor hours required in the repair. Essentially, the mechanic needs to start by disassembling the entire engine, which takes a great deal of time. Then he needs to make the repairs, and only then can he put it back together. Putting an engine back together is not quick work either, as it requires a high level of precision. The smallest error in the cylinder timing or other settings can result in misfires or future challenges.
To avoid surprises, most mechanics will give you a head gasket repair estimate before they begin work. At the very least, they can provide you with the average cost of head gasket repair for your particular vehicle.
Just keep in mind that the cost of head gasket repair may be higher than the estimate you get. Your mechanic may find additional problems as they replace a head gasket. Good mechanics, however, will keep you updated and let you know about other issues that they discover that can affect the engine head gasket repair cost. As with most other problems, how much does it cost to replace a headgasket when you catch the problem early on will be less in most cases.
If you notice the problem early, the issue is likely not going to be as severe, as it has not yet had time to worsen. As such, you can typically expect to pay less for a head gasket leak repair than you would for a full Subaru head gasket replacement. Early repairs are more likely to let you learn how to fix a blown head gasket without replacing it.
It also avoids high intake manifold gasket replacement cost or intake manifold replacement cost. Keep in mind that the cost to replace an engine is more than the cost to repair a leaky head gasket.
The engine replacement labor cost is also higher than a leaking head gasket repair cost. The best answer to how to tell if the head gasket is blown or what are the signs of a blown head gasket is to consult your mechanic.
0コメント