What is a Head Gasket?
A head gasket is effectively a seal which is essential for maintaining the temperature and integrity of a car engine. It's a part responsible for sealing pressure within the engine as well as the distribution of oil and coolant.
Every time you turn on your engine the head gasket has to operate within very high temperatures and pressures, which is exactly what it is designed to do. The engine of your car needs to be cooled constantly as it relies on combustion for power and the head gasket is the core component in performing this job.
If the head gasket is damaged, the engine will quickly overheat and serious damage will be caused. Overheating in the engine of your car will lead to a loss of compression, the mixing of oil, water, coolant as well as a reduction in lubrication.
The head gasket is a very complex piece of equipment and so a variety of materials are needed to build it. It has to be able to withstand and function normally at extreme temperatures and pressure, it also needs to be resistant to all of the chemicals and oils which rush around your car engine.
As a result, each gasket from one car to the next is different as the demands of each engine are unique. Car manufacturers like Ford, Vauxhall and BMW spend millions of pounds every year in the research and development of head gaskets to help manage the pressure and cooling of engines.
Unfortunately, if you need a head gasket repairing, it will be on the more expensive side. However, if you follow the advice below you can learn how to recognise problems with your gasket before something serious happens.
Signs that your Head Gasket needs Replacing or Repairing
- Overheating engine
- Your temperature gauge is higher than usual
- White milky oil
- White smoke from the exhaust pipe
- Significant loss of coolant with no visible leaks
- There is coolant or oil on the head of the spark plugs
- You remove the cap from your car radiator and see bubbles of air rising
- Your car is chugging or suffers a loss of power
- There is oil in the water of the cooling system
There are other signs to look out for but unless you are a trained mechanic it will be difficult to spot them which is why it is so important that you have your car checked if you suspect there is an issue.
As mentioned above, if a head gasket blows, it can be a costly repair for you as a huge increase in temperature throughout the engine could very easily cause a range of other issues.
If you need a head gasket repair or if you think you might have an issue with the unit, it is vital that you pay attention to the issue, if you ignore the signs above and the gasket blows while you are driving this could cause serious threat to your safety.
Head Gasket Replacement Cost
A blown head gasket repair can be quite costly for any driver, no matter what car you drive. There is no easy head gasket fix and so you will need to get an experienced mechanic to take a look. The scale does vary for a head gasket repair when looking at different card brands. For a Mercedes, pricing is over £700 on average whereas for a Fiat the price is around £355 on average.
Get Your Head Gasket Repaired or Replaced with Who Can Fix My Car
Finding a mechanic you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy which is why we have simplified the process.
We work with a network of over 10,000 mechanics and garages across the UK so we can find competitive head gasket repair deals for you.
To get the best Head Gasket Repair available in your region;
- Enter your car registration number
- Give us a few details about your car and your requirements
- We’ll send you a great selection of quotes from mechanics and garages in your area
You can then compare the quotes and read reviews from previous customers to find the best head gasket deal in your area, before booking the Head Gasket Replacement or Repair online.
