What Causes The Blown Head Gasket?

Maybe you see the white smoke rising from the tailpipe as you drive, or maybe your car is feeling weak or slow. The service advisor informs you that your car has a blown head gasket solution. While most people are aware that head gaskets play an important part in the engine of their car, not many know what it is and what causes it to fail. Learn more about the function of the head gasket and why it's such an important issue when it blows.

What does the head gasket perform?

The engine can be divided into two components. The bottom part, which contains the crankshaft, pistons connecting rods, as well as the oil pump. These parts are housed within the engine block and their movement is a source of force and torque to the transmission and ultimately, the wheels.

The cylinder head constitutes the "top portion" of the engine. It contains the valves, camshaft(s), spark plugs, as well as the ports that let fresh air into the engine, and exhaust from it. The spark plugs and valves help to produce the required combustion for driving your car.

The head gasket forms the barrier that sits between the bottom end of the motor and the cylinder head. Its job is to seal the combustion taking place within each cylinder, and to maintain compression. In addition the head gasket is responsible for preventing coolant and oil from mixing. It also acts as a buffer between coolant channels which are a part of the engine block, and the oil contained in the rotating assembly.

What is the reason why a headgasket can fail?

Head gaskets are typically used for more than 100,000 miles and are very sturdy. That being said, some conditions can cause an early head gasket failure.

Overheating

Overheating the engine is the main reason for an thermagasket plus. When an engine becomes excessively heated, the gasket will be exposed to temperatures beyond the limits it is designed to handle. Head Gasket Replacement Cost can cause failure. The overheated area can cause cracks or warping of the engine block or cylinder head that could stop the head gaskets from sealing properly.

Pre-ignition and detonation

Pre-ignition and detonation both can lead to head gasket failure. This can lead to high temperatures and pressures to build up within the cylinder. This places a lot of stress on the gasket as well as the valves. The spark plug is pre-ignited before it ignites. Detonation happens after.

Temperature changes abrupt

The temperature of your engine determines whether the head gasket expands and contracts. If you begin your engine cold and immediately press your foot, the shock of the abrupt temperature shift could result in a failure of the head gasket. The failure of the head gasket could be prevented by allowing your vehicle to reach the correct operating temperature prior to accelerating aggressively.

High mileage and old age

Gaskets wear out. A automobile that has a lot of mileage on it without ever having a head gasket replacement might face problems. The aging process can cause the components inside the gasket to degrade and may not seal as well as they did in the past. Manufacturers recommend a head gasket replacement once a car hits an optimum mileage. Failure of the head gasket is more likely when you exceed that mileage.

Incorrect installation

It's extremely unlikely that the head gasket will seal properly in the event that it's been incorrectly replaced. If you were able to replace a head gasket but have issues after the service, it may have been an issue in the installation.