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Step 1
Look at the temperature gauge on your dashboard. Chronic engine overheating is a common symptom of a blown gasket.
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Step 2
Turn the car off and let the engine cool down completely. Open the hood and remove the coolant overflow tank cap. If you hear a pop, this means the cooling system has remained pressurized even while the engine is cold, which can be an early sign of a blown gasket.
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Step 3
Remove the radiator cap and start the car. Let the car warm up and rev the engine. If your gasket is blown, air bubbles will travel up from the radiator.
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Step 4
Watch for white smoke or water drops coming out of the exhaust pipe. Sweet smelling white smoke coming from a warmed-up engine indicates a coolant leak, a symptom of a blown gasket.
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Step 5
Check the engine coolant. A sudden drop in coolant level with no apparent leaks also indicates a serious coolant leak, which can be a sign of a blown gasket.
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Step 6
Check the engine oil. If the oil on the dipstick looks milky or frothy, or if there is a milky ring around the oil cap, this indicates that coolant is leaking into the oil pan, another sign of a blown gasket.
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Step 7
Pay attention to how your car feels while driving. An engine that misfires, runs sluggishly or idles roughly may have a blown gasket.
