How to Tell if You Have a Blown Head Gasket

Your car is not running like it did before and you know there is something wrong somewhere. Perhaps it’s a blown head gasket? Although an inconvenience, your vehicle may have to be off the road for a few days, your heads will definitely have to be resurfaced or even replaced if they are very warped aluminum heads, before your transport is roadworthy once again. The following article contains dead-giveaways as to clues that your head gasket is blown and needs repair. Read on for the clues.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Check the oil dipstick. The clue to look for when you check your motor oil dipstick is a white or gray substance on your dipstick with the oil, too. If you detect this, it indicates that you have water in your oil and that is a sure sign of a blown head gasket.

2. Drive the automobile to see if you experience any loss of power, especially up hills. This indicates that your vehicle is losing compression and has a blown head gasket.

3. Check the auto for overheating. The automobile will overheat when it has a blown head gasket and will keep overheating no matter what remedy you try.

4. Listen for a chugging sound in your engine as you drive. Chugging sounds and stalling out are definite signs of a blown head gasket.

5. Look in the rear view mirror as you drive. Is the car emitting white steam? Does it smell unusually different than normal? These are all signs of a blown head gasket.

6. Look at the radiator for leaks and signs of coolant where it shouldn’t be, such as the spark plugs. If your radiator is low on fluid often; this may be a sign of a blown head gasket. Look for oil in your coolant.

Tips & Warnings

• If your vehicle is overheating do not drive anymore. Park it and have the vehicle towed.

Resources

• My Honest Mechanic website
• Info about head gasket symptoms and replacement
• Trust My Mechanic website