Engine Head Gasket FAQs: Everything Car Owners Need to Know

It's not common, but sometimes, cars -- especially older ones -- can start seeing mechanical issues that go beyond routine wear and tear. Trouble with an engine's head gasket is one such example, especially on engines that may have recently overheated or otherwise had issues with their cooling system.

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Service tech putting an Engine Head Gasket in

Many who have had their car diagnosed with a bad head gasket are understandably curious about what exactly this gasket is and why it's so important. To shed some light on the subject, we're taking a deep dive into the topic, from why engines need head gaskets to the main symptoms of a blown head gasket.

Check out our head gasket service FAQs below, then reach out to our local VW dealer if you have any additional questions. We're here to solve all your vehicle maintenance issues, so trust our team if it's time to book head gasket repair in McMurray.

Common Head Gasket Service Questions

What is a head gasket?

A head gasket is a thin piece of advanced composite material. It sits between engine block and the cylinder head to help seal them together.

Why do engines need head gaskets?

Head gaskets provide a tight seal and route coolant and oil passages between the engine block and cylinder head. They also isolate these fluid passages so that oil and coolant cannot leak or mix while travelling between these two distinct parts of the engine. Thanks to the head gasket, an engine can maintain proper pressure in the combustion chamber and ensure that oil and fluid never mix.

Why do head gaskets fail?

There can be a variety of reasons. One of the most common culprits of a failed head gasket is an overheated engine. All engines run best in a certain temperature range. If this is exceeded for whatever reason -- whether that's because your vehicle became overworked while towing a trailer up a hill, or a part in the cooling system failed -- and your engine won't be able to regulate its temperature.

This can cause several concerning things to occur. Pressures within the engine can build, coolant may begin to boil, and parts designed to operate at lower temperature thresholds -- like the head gasket -- now may reach their failure point. Under such extreme stresses, the head gasket can rupture.

What are symptoms of a bad head gasket?

There are several common bad head gasket symptoms. Your engine may start leaking coolant or oil. The engine may overheat. White, sweet-smelling smoke may be noticed coming from the tailpipe. A milkshake-like substance may be visible on the dipstick or underneath the oil filler cap, suggesting that coolant is mixing with oil.

If you see any of these symptoms, reach out immediately to us. Further damage may occur if a blown head gasket is ignored or neglected.

Are head gaskets expensive to repair?

All engines are different, so head gasket repair costs will vary based on exactly what needs to be done to your vehicle. Oftentimes, cars affected by head gasket issues are older, so we recommend speaking with our team to compare car repair vs. replace costs to find the most beneficial option for you.

Schedule Head Gasket Repairs in McMurray Today

Head gaskets are a critical component in the engine. If it fails and isn't repaired, issues could snowball until you're left with very expensive engine problems.

Don't put off getting your vehicle diagnosed and repaired -- contact us today and book an appointment to have your vehicle inspected. We repair head gaskets quickly and efficiently, so trust our team and reach out today.