How Can You Tell if a Head Gasket Is Bad? Here Are 5 Symptoms in Houston, TX
It's hard to overstate the importance of the head gasket in your vehicle's engine. It's what keeps the fluids from leaking into the cylinder. This noble, important part has to deal with quite a lot, including extreme temperatures. It's known for its hardiness, but it can still fail--which could spell trouble for your engine. Keep an eye out for these five symptoms; they can indicate that a head gasket is either failing or has already failed.
5. There Are Oil or Coolant Leaks
We have to start off by saying that there are many other things that could cause an oil or coolant leak--it's not necessarily the head gasket. However, any leaks should be looked at immediately. If it is a bad head gasket that's causing the leak, you can expect the leak to be located at the seam that's between the engine block and the cylinder head (which is where the head gasket itself is located).
4. The Check Engine Light Is Flashing
A steady check engine light means that you should have your Volkswagen looked at soon, but a flashing light is a different story. A flashing check engine light often means that the engine has misfired, which can be caused by a failed head gasket. This can damage the catalytic converter and other expensive components, so the best course of action is to shut off the engine as soon as it's safe to do so.
3. The Engine Overheats
No matter what the cause, an overheating engine is a problem that should be addressed immediately. As soon as you can safely find a place to pull over and turn off your car, you should do so. While cooling system problems are the most common cause of overheating, a blown head gasket can also cause your car's engine to run too hot. If it is the head gasket, there may be bubbles in the radiator and the coolant reservoir.
2. The Exhaust Pipe Emits White Smoke
When you first start your car in the morning, there may be a small amount of white steam coming from the tailpipe. This is completely different from the white emissions that a blown head gasket can cause. If the head gasket has blown, you may notice large billows of white smoke that don't go away after a few minutes. These emissions may also smell sweet, due to their being contaminated with antifreeze.
1. Frothy, Milky Oil
A blown head gasket may cause coolant and engine oil to mix together. This is bad for both fluids. If the oil in your car's engine is light brown and sludgy, milky, or frothy, it's likely due to contamination by coolant. This, in turn, is likely caused by a blown head gasket.
