Let’s talk about the head gasket in this blog post. The head gasket is a crucial part in your car, truck, or UV’s engine. So important, in fact, that the engine can get damaged seriously if the head gasket blows. When we say blows, we mean cracks, and Miller Brothers Auto Repair can replace your head gasket if it has cracked. In general, the head gasket can crack if there is too much heat in the engine.
What Does the Head Gasket Do?
The head gasket is important because it seals off the cylinder block. Also called the combustion chamber, this is where air and fuel are placed into the cylinders to be ignited by the spark plugs. In order for ignition to occur, compression needs to build up inside of the chamber. The head gasket prevents air from making its way into the chamber so the compression can build up.
In addition to increasing the compression inside the combustion chamber, the head gasket also prevents fluids that would be foreign in the combustion process, such as coolant and motor oil, from entering the combustion chamber or the cylinders. This gasket establishes a seal above the cylinder block so that nothing can get in. The engine needs the cylinders to be free of foreign debris and liquids in order to produce combustion efficiently and get good gas mileage.
Signs the Head Gasket Is Cracked
As we mentioned above, the head gasket can crack if it is subjected to too much heat. In other words, you drove your automobile when the engine was overheating. This is never a good idea because the head gasket isn’t the only auto part that can be damaged by the excess heat.
In addition, if you drive your automobile when it is overheating, you could crack the cylinder block or the exhaust manifold. Sticking to our subject, however, if the head gasket cracks, you will have the following problems:
- * The coolant will start to leak out of the engine and into the cylinders
- * Consequently, the engine will get so hot that the coolant will boil
- * The boiling coolant can cause the radiator cap to rupture
- * The coolant burning in the cylinders will produce white exhaust smoke
- * The coolant will also mix with the motor oil and dilute it
As you can imagine, these problems can damage your engine severely. As such, we recommend that you have your vehicle towed to our shop if you suspect that the head gasket has cracked.
We are Miller Brothers Auto Repair in Somerset, WI, and we would be happy to help you. Call us today to set up a service visit for your automobile.