What is a Head Gasket?
A head gasket is effectively a seal which is essential for maintaining the temperature and integrity of a car’s engine. It is partly 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 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.
It is a very complex piece of equipment. Therefore, 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 head gasket from one car to the next is different as the demands of each engine are unique.
Unfortunately, if you need a head gasket repairing, it will be on the expensive side. However, if you follow the advice below you can learn how to recognise problems with your gasket before something serious happens and the repair becomes more costly.
Signs of a Blown Head Gasket which 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. This is why it’s 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 Cost of Replacement
A blown head gasket repair can be quite costly for any driver, no matter what car you drive. There is no easy fix and so you will need to get an experienced mechanic to take a look.
The scale does vary for a repair when looking at different car makes. For a Mercedes, the repair cost 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 that you can trust to do a good job and charge a fair price, is not always easy. Our site simplifies the process by offering a comparison page that displays prices and reviews from local garages and mobile mechanics.
To locate trusted head gasket repair near you:
Enter your car registration number in our job post form
Tell us a few details about your car and your repair requirements
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Compare the quotes and reviews from previous customers to find the best head gasket repair deal near you, before booking the service with a specialist garage online.
