What Is a Head Gasket and What Does It Do?

You will see a head gasket placed between the engine block and cylinder head in your car. This small unit seals the internal combustion process and helps the oil and coolant to move through the engine. If it blows it could be a big problem for the engine. Now how they blow and what are the symptoms to identify and rectify to prevent the damage, all this information is covered in this article.

What Is a Head Gasket?

Head gasket normally has several layers made of steel with elastomer inside which makes it durable and has a long service life. Gasket seal serves the purpose of cooling system and lubrication of the engines. It enables the engine to produce enough power to move forward and allows harmful gases to exit from the exhaust systems of the cars. Head gaskets are an essential part of combustion engines. This chamber has pistons and requires high pressure to continue fire appropriately. It keeps the pressure inside the combustion chamber that is generated from the spark plugs.

Where is the Head Gasket Located?

It is located at the top of an internal combustion engine, between the cylinder head and the engine blocks. It is capable of withstanding high temperatures and pressure.

Head Gasket Replacement Cost

Replacement of head gasket can be expensive. It can cost up to $1,500. Because it is an expensive labour intensive job. Therefore, it is important to find a professional mechanic or qualified technician to replace head gasket.

Can a car drive with a bad head gasket?

No, it is recommended and must be avoided at any cost. A damaged head gasket can cause serious damage to cars like overheating, power loss, burns or fire.

What Does a Head Gasket Do in a Car?

Head gasket seal has multiple purposes. It is one of the essential parts of the car’s engine

Seals the chamber

It allows the engine to build pressure. This maintains the engine power and seals the combustion engine. Gasket seal keeps the compression generated by ignition of fuel vapors of spark plugs inside the chamber.

lubrication and cooling system

It allows oil and coolant to move through the engine and keeps them separated to create any contaminated fuel.

Preventing leaks

It keeps the coolant and oil leakage from engine. This leakage can create overheating and engines can catch fire.

How Does a Head Gasket Work in a Car?

The working of head gasket is

Seal Between the Engine Block and Cylinder Head

At the top of the engine there is a cylinder head. The gasket is between the engine block and cylinder head. It keeps the pressure inside the combustion chamber that is built by the ignition of fuel vapor of spark plugs.

Pressure and Temperature Regulation

Geasket seals control the engine operation and create enough power for the engine to move the car forward. It can withstand high pressure and temperature created by generating power and spark plugs ignition.

Ensuring Proper Fluid Flow (Oil, Coolant)

The head gasket keeps the coolant(water) and lubricating oil to travel around the engine and does not overheat the engine. Therefore, it also serves as cooling system and lubrication of cars.

What Causes a Head Gasket to Blow?

A head gasket seal can blow by multiple reasons. These are:

Engine Overheating

Head gasket cannot handle if there is too much is producing inside the engine. This leads to gasket failure. Or it can also crack or wrap the cylinder head or engine block. This breaks the sealing mechanism of engine block gasket.

Poor Maintenance and Wear Over Time

If engine oil level is dropped, low coolant level without any leak, or pre-ignition of spark plugs like fuel combustion at worn time, all these conditions can blow the head gasket.

Manufacturing Defects and Material Fatigue

If there are bubbles in radiator or cooling reservoir, or a new gasket is installed incorrectly, detonation of fire rings, these conditions can blow the gasket seal.

Signs of a Blown Head Gasket

There are some signs by which you can get that head gasket has blown.

White Smoke from the Exhaust

If there is a large white cloud of smoke seeing from the exhaust, it indicates a damaged head gasket seal. This actually occurs due to antifreeze leaking into cylinders which causes this smoke.

Bubbles in the Coolant Reservoir

If gases enter the system, it starts making bubbles in the coolant system. These bubbles can enter even when the engine is off.

Milky Oil (Coolant Mixing with Oil)

Coolant water can mix into oil systems when gaskets failure occurs between the cooling and oil ways. This creates milky oil or foamy oil.

Overheating Engine

Overheating is the most obvious and the common sign of damaged head gasket. Cars may also start making steam or have a weird smell.

Unexplained Coolant Loss

Coolant leaks are the easiest sign of damaged head gasket than others. But not every time the leakage is due to gasket failure.

How Can You Prevent a Blown Head Gasket?

There are many ways to prevent a blown head gasket.

Temporary Fixes vs. Permanent Solutions

If we talk about any temporary fix, I am afraid there is no one. It is necessary to regularly replace the oil and coolant of cars and maintain them properly.

But there are many permanent fixes.

• Install the head correctly.
• Use high-quality head gasket to avoid further damage
• Use the right fuel with correct octane level
• Maintain your cooling systema and your engine
• Check the temperature gauge continuously

How to Custom Head Gaskets

Head gaskets are normally made of steel. but custom head gasket can be made using silicon, fiberglass, Teflon or rubber.

How to Choose Head Gaskets Material

When selecting the right head gasket materials, keep in mind some factors. These are like compatibility with operating conditions, working temperature, flexibility in material, surface finish and corrosion resistance. some common materials are steel, copper, composites and rubber.

CNC Machining Head Gaskets

Head gasket made by CNC machining have high precisions and accuracy in dimensions. CNC machining offers a wide range of material selection like silicon, rubber, cork, felt, nitrile rubber, neoprene, fiberglass, polymers, and multi-layered steel with elastomer inside.

Stamping Head Gaskets

It is a process in which progressive dies are used to stamp and assemble engine block gaskets in cars. It can perform multi-tasks like punching, bending or forming. Complex shapes can be produced by progressive dies, and it is more efficient and safer to use.