The head gasket is one of the most important parts in your automobile. The head gasket seals off the combustion chamber so that the chamber can generate the compression needed to power your engine. The head gasket also prevents your engine from developing an oil or coolant leak. Mike’s Auto Service & Repair is going to list the signs of a blown head gasket below. We cannot stress enough that if you suspect you’ve blown the head gasket, have your vehicle towed to our shop.
Low Coolant Level
One of the first things that is going to happen when the head gasket cracks is coolant is going to end up leaking all over the engine and into the combustion chamber. Consequently, this will reduce the level of coolant that is circulating through the cooling system and the engine.
Overheating Engine
Naturally, this is going to overheat your engine very quickly. You never want your engine’s temperature to rise above 220 degrees Fahrenheit, but with the coolant hemorrhaging through the cracked head gasket, the engine is going to get extremely hot. In addition, as the coolant leaks into the combustion chamber, the engine will start to burn away the coolant.
White Engine Exhaust
This will create white exhaust smoke that flows out of your tailpipe. It will also create white smoke that will come out from underneath your hood. This is definitely an indication that the engine’s temperature is reaching critical mass. If you continue to drive your automobile, you could blow the radiator cap or cause additional serious damage such as cracking the cylinder block.
Boiling Engine Coolant
In fact, the engine is going to get so hot that the coolant will start to boil. You will hear the coolant bubbling inside the radiator. You will also hear bubbling inside the overflow reservoir. Driving your automobile when the engine is this hot opens you up to the risk of an engine fire, as does the leaking automotive fluids that are making their way into the combustion chamber.
Coolant Mixing With Oil
One of those fluids is the motor oil. Consequently, the coolant and motor oil will mix and turn the motor oil from brown to milky white. As the oil tries to circulate through the engine, it will damage it because it is diluted with engine coolant. As you can see, it’s not a good idea to drive your vehicle.
Call Mike’s Auto Service & Repair in West Springfield, MA, today if you are having problems with your automobile that suggest that you have blown the head gasket.
