Gaskets are the most important parts of your car's engine. Their primary function is to seal off compartments in the engine. Your engine is divided into the cylinder block, where the pistons and cylinders reside, and the cylinder head, where the spark plugs, valves, and camshafts are located. The head gasket is found swaddled in between these two massive engine parts.
What Role Does the Head Gasket Fulfill?
A head gasket is a vital component when sealing the cylinder's pressure. It also prevents coolant and engine oil from leaking into the cylinders or outside. Because the head gasket is constantly under pressure between two surfaces, rapidly shrinking and expanding, it is bound to wear off at some point, leading to costly repairs.
Can I Drive a Car With A Blown Head Gasket?
Yes, you can drive a car with a blown gasket, but it is definitely not recommended. Ignoring the obvious signs that your car has a blown gasket will only lead to further damage to the engine, which will cost you more in repairs.
How Can I Tell I Have a Blown Head Gasket?
Despite what you may think, your car rarely surprises you. There are always subtle signs you might otherwise miss if you aren't keen. Here are a few signs that your head gasket's health is deteriorating.
- White smoke emitted from the tailpipe- This is pretty easy to spot.
- Bubbling in the radiator and coolant reservoir- You can check after the car has been running for a while.
- Unexplained coolant volume loss without visible leaks
- The engine constantly overheats- if your engine overheats, shut the engine down and let it cool off.
- Milky white coloration in the oil under the oil cap is the easiest, albeit way to find out you have a blown Head gasket. Simply take a peak under the oil filler cap; if the inside of the cap is mostly dry, then you're safe. However, if it has a milky brownish-yellow substance similar to your smoothies, you have a blown gasket.
Just realized you need head gasket repair today. We invite you to bring your vehicle to Oceanside Motorsports today.