How to Fix a Blown Head Gasket
A blown head gasket is a not an easy thing to fix on your car especially for the novice mechanic. A head gasket is located between your engine and cylinder head. It is recommend that you only use this article as a guide and consult a mechanic about exactly what needs to be done with your car because a blown head gasket can often be the result of an underlying serious mechanical problem. The most common signs of a blown head gasket include white smoke coming out of your exhaust, water in your oil and brown radiator coolant.
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Instructions
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1
Disconnect your battery. Failure to do so could result in electrical shock. Using a wrench or screwdriver depending on your cables, disconnect the battery terminals beginning with the black (ground) terminal first. Set the cables of the sides away from the connectors and other parts, especially metal, on your car.
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2
Locate the bolts on your head gasket cover. You may or may not have a bolt in the middle of your cover depending on your car. Remove all the bolts and put them somewhere safe so that you don't lose them. If you have a six or eight cylinder car, you will have to remove the air intake manifold before removing the head cover. Use an auto manual for the proper procedure for removing the manifold if you need to do so.
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3
Remove the head cover. It may be stuck on tightly, so if it is, give it a very gentle tap with a rubber mallet where the gasket touches it to loosen it. Do not tap it too hard or you could warp the head cover, and then you will have to replace that as well.
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4
Scrape the old gasket with a gasket scraper or a razor blade. Ensure that none of the old gasket falls into the engine or inside the cover. Using a ruler, check to make sure the gasket cover is perfectly straight and has no dents or dings as this will cause an improper seal on your gasket. If your head cover is dented, you can try to get the dents out using a rubber mallet, or you may have to puchase a new cover depending on the extent of the damage.
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5
Place the new gasket over the exposed part of the engine and line up the head cover on top of the gasket. Hand tighten the bolts into place. Use a torque wrench to tighten the bolts to the exact amount noted in your vehicle's specifications in an auto manual. Tighten the bolts in a zigzag pattern so that they tighten uniformly. If you tighten the bolts in a straight line, they won't torque properly, and this can cause your gasket to leak again.
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6
Change your oil and antifreeze after completing these steps. When your gasket blew, there may have been an antifreeze and oil mix and that can damage your car.
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7
Reconnect your battery.
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Tips & Warnings
Torque wrenchs are expensive, and chances are that you won't use one very often. Many auto stores have torque wrenches that you can rent for free or for a small deposit or charge.
Seek advice from your local auto store for advice on fixing your vehicle's specific head gasket.
Disconnect your battery before begining any work on your car. Failure to do so could result in serious injury or death.
Make sure your car is completely cool before working on it to avoid burns.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Auto Engine image by Andrew Breeden from Fotolia.com
