Fast Lane Automotive can help if your car, truck, or utility vehicle has a cracked head gasket. We are going to list the signs of a blown head gasket below so you know what to look for with your automobile. The head gasket provides a crucial seal over the cylinder block to prevent coolant and motor oil from entering into the cylinders. This seal also facilitates the buildup of compression. Bring your vehicle to our shop right away if you are having any of the following problems.
Loss of Engine Coolant
When the head gasket cracks, the coolant will start to leak out of the engine and into the cylinders. Unfortunately, no matter how many times you top off the coolant, the level will be continually low. Your automobile’s engine needs a new head gasket to prevent the coolant from leaking into the cylinder block. This protects the cylinders in the engine.
Sudden Overheating
Naturally, if the engine is being starved of coolant, it will start to overheat suddenly and constantly. As such, we recommend that you have your vehicle towed to our shop rather than drive it if the engine is too hot. You’ve already got a cracked head gasket, which is a serious repair. You don’t want to crack the cylinder block or exhaust manifold, as well.
Coolant That Boils
In fact, in the case of a cracked head gasket, the engine can get so hot that the coolant will start to boil. You will be able to hear the coolant boiling in the radiator. This is bad news, and you should pull over right away. Driving when the engine is this hot can cause the radiator cap to explode and leave you with scorching coolant spraying all over the engine.
White Exhaust Smoke
As we mentioned above, when the head gasket blows, the coolant leaks into each cylinder. The coolant is then burned along with the air and fuel. This burning creates white exhaust that will flow out of your tailpipe. The coolant creates the white color.
Milky Motor Oil
Finally, aside from leaking into the cylinder block, the coolant also mixes with the motor oil in the engine. Unfortunately, this leaves you with diluted motor oil circulating through the engine that can damage it beyond repair. This is also a reason why we recommend that you have your vehicle towed to our shop; to avoid severe engine damage.
Call Fast Lane Automotive in Orlando, FL, today if you suspect that you’ve got a cracked head gasket underneath the hood.
