How to Fix a Blown Head Gasket for Under 60 Dollars

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Head Gasket Replacement

If you suspect you’ve got a blown or leaky head gasket, you may have more options than you think. Replacing a blown head gasket isn’t necessarily a complicated procedure. However, it can be costly and time consuming. Luckily, everything you need to know is right here!  If you’re asking yourself “how do I fix a blown head gasket?” just keep reading below. We’ll walk you through the process and even share some tips that may help you prevent a blown gasket or stop a leaky gasket right in its tracks. Before you spend thousands of dollars replacing your gasket, try our head gasket sealer. Designed for both Diesel and gasoline engines, BlueDevil head gasket sealer is the perfect solution for sealing leaks in cracked head gaskets, warped or cracked heads, heater cores, and freeze plugs. 

Head Gasket Sealer

How Do I Fix a Blown Head Gasket at Home?

Lengthy procedures like replacing a blown head gasket can flummox even the most seasoned weekend mechanics. There are a number of parts you’ll have to remove and, since the process usually can’t be completed in one sitting, you’ll have to remember a lot of small details for a few days, or perhaps even over the work week.

The head gasket replacement procedure we’ll discuss in this article will have a few tips and tricks for accomplishing this long procedure without forgetting any crucial parts or steps along the way.  

Blown Head Gasket Repair Cost

Now that you’ve assessed your car’s symptoms and have decided that you want to replace your blown gasket, you’ll need to get all of the necessary replacement parts and right kind of head gasket. This can be a costly endeavor that typically ranges from $1000 to $2000 dollars. Before looking for a blown head gasket repair kit, try our head gasket sealer as a simple solution that could potentially save you thousands of dollars! Follow these guidelines and you’ll be back on the road in no time at all: 

  1. Remove thermostat and flush the cooling system
  2. Fill the system with water
  3. Add BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer slowly to the radiator as the vehicle idles
  4. Install the radiator cap and allow the engine to idle for at least 50 minutes
  5. Completely drain the cooling system, install a new thermostat and fill the system with the correct amount of coolant

Read the full directions here. Alternatively, continue reading below to find out how to replace your blown gasket at home! 

Step 1: Remove the Battery Cables

The basic procedure for fixing any blown head gasket is similar for most motors. If your engine has overhead cams, it adds a little complication, but we’ll cover that in the last few steps. The first step in almost any repair procedure for your car is to disconnect your battery cables.  This opens the electrical circuit and will make sure you don’t have any arcing or sparking during your job.  This will also prevent you from accidentally starting your vehicle’s engine while it’s taken apart. 

Step 2: Drain the Coolant

Next, you’ll want to drain the coolant.  Your car’s coolant surrounds the engine block and head. So, if you don’t drain it, you’ll end up with a mess and water in your engine oil.  Make sure to use the radiator and block drain to remove all the coolant.

Step 3: Disconnect Electrical Components

Now, we recommend disconnecting any electrical connectors that will get in the way of removing the head. This will include temperature sensors, injector clips, spark plug wires, coils, and any other wires that cross over the head.  

Step 4: Remove the Intake and Exhaust Manifolds 

This can includes removing a significant amount of intake and exhaust piping. So, take your time.  Our rule of thumb is to remove as much as you can in this step to give yourself more room to work.  We’ve got some handy tips and tricks below to make this part easier.

Once the intake and exhaust manifolds are removed you need to remove your timing chain or belt if your vehicle has overhead cams.  If not, you can skip this step.  You’re now ready to remove the cylinder head! 

Step 5: Removing the Cylinder Head

Pull off your valve cover(s) to expose the valves and the head bolts. For a pushrod motor, make sure to loosen the valves and remove the push rods first.  When loosening the head bolts we recommend loosening them in the tightening sequence about a half turn at a time to avoid warping the head.

Once you’ve got the head off, it’s important to have it checked for cracks and straightens before installing a new head gasket.  

Step 6: Reassembly 

All you have to do to get the new head  back in place is reverse the disassembly steps. To make reassembling your motor easier, we recommend doing a couple simple but important things: 

Labeling

Grab some masking tape and a black marker. Next, label everything as you remove it.  When it comes to electrical connections, wrap a piece of tape around each side and give them the same label.  We recommend using numbers and labeling in the order you unplug them. 

If you really want to get to know your car, find out what component or sensor each connector goes to and label it correctly with its purpose.  When removing pipes, hoses or vacuum lines, we recommend labeling both ends of every piece and where it connects so you know exactly where it went.  It may seem like as long as you have the right hose it can connect either way, but after years of being installed one way, it’s smart to reinstall it the same way to avoid it slipping off or leaking in the future.  

For larger components like intake piping or manifolds, we recommend labeling each bolt or nut as you remove it so it goes back in the same location.  Sometimes this ends up not mattering, but often different locations are connected with different length bolts or different size nuts.  Once the fasteners are all labeled, set them all in a zip-lock bag and tape it to the component they were removed from.  Make sure you’ve got a safe well-lit area to lay all the removed components and keep that area free of clutter. 

Take Pictures 

Lastly, take lots of pictures.  Take a picture before you start the work, take a picture after you remove each component, you may even take pictures of your labels in case they fall off!  Pictures are good insurance for an easy reassembly process.

If this whole procedure seems overwhelming to you, you’re not alone.  There is a reason most mechanics charge a lot of money to replace head gaskets.  It’s a lot of work and if any small piece is out of place, it can ruin your engine the first time you turn the key.

How Do I Fix a Blown Gasket Without Replacing It? 

It may not always be worth it to replace your gasket if it isn’t fully blown. Rather than going through the lengthy process above, try using BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.  BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is a formulated, non-particulate head gasket sealer that will form a chemical weld at the leak point in your head gasket, sealing the leak and getting you back on the road without any time spent under the hood. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is safe for your cooling system, easy to use, and guaranteed to seal your leak! Learn more right here! 

Seal Your Gasket! 

BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer

 

You can also purchase BlueDevil Head Gasket at the following BlueDevil partner stores: 

  • AutoZone
  • Advance Auto Parts
  • Bennett Auto Supply
  • CarQuest Auto Parts
  • NAPA Auto Parts
  • O’Reilly Auto Parts
  • Pep Boys
  • Fast Track
  • Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts Specialists
  • S&E Quick Lube Distributor
  • DYK Automotive
  • Fisher Auto Parts stores
  • Auto Plus Auto Parts stores
  • Hovis Auto & Truck Supply stores
  • Salvo Auto Parts
  • Advantage Auto Stores
  • Genuine Auto Parts stores
  • Bond Auto Parts stores
  • Tidewater Fleet Supply
  • Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts
  • Any Part Auto Parts
  • Consumer Auto Parts

 

BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.

46 responses to "How to Fix a Blown Head Gasket for Under 60 Dollars"

46 Comments

  1. Cameron on December 26, 2020 at 7:17 pm

    If I did a flush and put knew coolent in can I just put blue devil in or do I have to drain and put water in to install product

    • BlueDevil Pro on December 28, 2020 at 9:33 am

      Cameron-

      As long as the system has been flushed and is clean, you would be fine to add the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to your existing antifreeze.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  2. Renan Portillo on May 9, 2022 at 11:09 pm

    Can a blown head cause my truck not to turn on ?

    • BlueDevil Pro on May 10, 2022 at 8:21 am

      Renan-

      A blown head gasket wouldn’t typically keep the vehicle from starting. There could be symptoms of a blown head gasket that would make starting the vehicle very difficult, like fouled out spark plugs. If you are unsure as to why the vehicle isn’t starting, it may be time to have it inspected by an ASE certified mechanic.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  3. Jordan Lacy on September 1, 2022 at 9:27 am

    Can I add this directly into the tank that already has 50/50 in there? I am having trouble losing coolant in vehicle. Notice leaks on ground at times and coolant tank always low. Also having trouble firing the car up. Sometimes it starts straight up and then sometimes takes 2/3 tries to fire up. White smoke came from exhaust today when staring car.

    • BlueDevil Pro on September 1, 2022 at 11:18 am

      Jordan-

      If your vehicle only has a reservoir/overflow rather than a radiator cap, instead of pouring BlueDevil through the reservoir/overflow, with the car off and engine cold you should disconnect the top radiator hose and add the product there; do not pour it into the reservoir. It may be added into the hose or the opening on the radiator. Once BlueDevil has been added, reconnect the hose and start the idle from that point.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

      • Patricia on June 12, 2023 at 8:32 pm

        Overflow was not going into the radiator at all but if I was to put any 50/50 into the radiator it will make on the manifold at the bottom and overflow will still be full

        • BlueDevil Pro on June 13, 2023 at 9:15 am

          Patricia-

          Based on your description, it sounds as though the radiator itself may be faulty. If the radiator hose is faulty, it would explain why coolant isn’t pulling from the overflow tank into the radiator, but not necessarily why coolant would be getting onto the intake manifold. We’d recommend bringing the vehicle to your local shop for possible radiator replacement.

          Thank you!

          -BDP

          • Martin on July 9, 2023 at 4:23 am

            1993 escort wagon blown head gasket or cracked head. When I fill the radiator up with fuild it fills up my exhaust pipe and plug hoses. So how do I pour blue Devil in and keep it running? Car starts fine with nothing in it



          • BlueDevil Pro on July 10, 2023 at 8:57 am

            Martin-

            In order to get the benefit of using the product, the vehicle would need to be able to start and run for a full 50 minutes, without overheating or stalling out. If the vehicle is unable to meet this general requirement, unfortunately, it wouldn’t be a good candidate for the product. A hard part repair may be your best option.

            Thank you!

            -BDP



          • Omar on July 9, 2023 at 9:41 am

            I have 2015 Chevy Cruze the head gasket blown with milky oil does blue devil work for that do I have to drain the oil and put new oil



          • BlueDevil Pro on July 10, 2023 at 9:00 am

            Omar-

            Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be able to treat the head gasket leak you’ve described on your Chevy Cruze. You would want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil procedure.

            Thank you!

            -BDP



  4. Daniel A on November 21, 2022 at 12:28 am

    Is is safe to drain coolant first then add blue devil to new clean coolant and run vehicle normally? Or do I have to flush the blue devil out at some point or after the 1 hour mark?

    • BlueDevil Pro on November 21, 2022 at 8:53 am

      Daniel-

      The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer only reacts to heat once (one heat cycle). After the 50-minute idle and the vehicle has sufficiently cooled, the product would not continue to react or continue to seal, so it is safe to leave in the system, however, you are not getting any additional benefit by doing so.
      It would be best to ensure the system is clean and free-flowing prior to adding the BlueDevil. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  5. Geneva on April 5, 2023 at 3:51 pm

    How do I fix a blown head gasket in a jeep cherokee

    • BlueDevil Pro on April 6, 2023 at 7:52 am

      Geneva-

      What are the symptoms the vehicle is having? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can better assist you.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  6. Sabrina on April 29, 2023 at 10:52 pm

    My oil is milky looking however there’s no smoke at all coming from my car. What should be my first step?

    • BlueDevil Pro on May 1, 2023 at 9:00 am

      Sabrina-

      How quickly are you losing water/coolant? Unfortunately, milky oil would be one of the tell-tale signs of a blown head gasket. Is the engine overheating at all? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  7. David on May 5, 2023 at 2:19 pm

    I have oil leaking out the back of my 2006 Hyundai Sonata v6. It is smoking from the exhaust as well. I’ve been told it sounds like it’s a head gasket by friends.

    • BlueDevil Pro on May 5, 2023 at 4:32 pm

      David-

      Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Sonata. Unfortunately, we don’t manufacture a product intended to stop a head gasket that’s leaking oil. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is specifically formulated for water/coolant leaks. We do manufacture a product that will stop oil from leaking and burning, causing exhaust smoke, however, it would not have any affect on the head gasket. A hard part repair may be your best option.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

      • Kel on August 19, 2023 at 9:20 am

        2005 kia Sportage 2.7 liter head gasket blown

        • BlueDevil Pro on August 21, 2023 at 8:29 am

          Kel-

          What are the symptoms your Kia Sportage is having? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

          Thank you!

          -BDP

  8. Bryan on May 29, 2023 at 3:46 am

    My car only overheats without white smoke or rough idle, but my coolant pushes back to reservoir anytime I fill it up. Whenever I turn on AC and drive for about 20-30 mins the temperature begin to rise. Please what should be my first step?

    • BlueDevil Pro on May 30, 2023 at 10:23 am

      Bryan-

      Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Have you tried testing for combustion/exhaust gases pumping into the cooling system? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  9. Greg on June 20, 2023 at 2:36 pm

    What if my f150 still cranks and drives but blowing white smoke out the tail pipe, can I still use the blue devil 1st?

    • BlueDevil Pro on June 20, 2023 at 3:28 pm

      Greg-

      Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. As long as the vehicle will maintain idle for the full 50 minutes, without overheating or stalling out, and you are not losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50-minute run, you would be a good candidate for the product.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  10. ronnie on July 8, 2023 at 11:34 am

    i have a 2015 subaru lagacy its leaking gasses and overheating i drilled holes in my thermostat now it does not over heat .Would this be benificial for me to buy your product and put it in with my new thermostat with no holes .

    • BlueDevil Pro on July 10, 2023 at 8:55 am

      Ronnie-

      Thank you for asking about your Subaru Legacy. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  11. Farhod on July 9, 2023 at 9:04 am

    Ford focus 2011, it’s draining a lot of coolant water. There is no leakage but I have been pouring a lot as per my understanding it should be atleast two week to pour it but lately it’s draining a lot of it. Is it because of my gasket?

    • BlueDevil Pro on July 10, 2023 at 8:59 am

      Farhod-

      Thank you for asking about your Ford Focus. Have you noticed any smoke/steam from the exhaust or water/coolant mixing in with the engine oil? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  12. Cliff Cook on August 11, 2023 at 5:38 pm

    I have a 2006 Ford explorer XLT 4.6 V8. Have already changed radiator, thermostat, water pump. Still having issues with coolant going somewhere but cannot find where it’s going. All is clean not milky runs good just overheats every so often. Has been determined possible head gasket blown on the exhaust side. I’m assuming this would be a great quick and easy fix for my vehicle.

    • BlueDevil Pro on August 14, 2023 at 8:56 am

      Cliff-

      Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. Based on your description, it’s possible that you are getting combustion/exhaust gases pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case. Otherwise, BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer should not be used if you are not experiencing a loss of water/coolant. It would not be a preventative measure or preventative maintenance.
      BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  13. Phillip on August 25, 2023 at 11:17 pm

    I have a 98 Chevy Silverado 1500 I’m getting water and oil and it’s blowing white smoke . Would that be the head gasket where the heads? And should I change the oil before using this product on my truck?

    • BlueDevil Pro on August 28, 2023 at 9:12 am

      Phillip-

      Thank you for asking about your Chevy Silverado. To confirm, are you getting water into the engine oil? If so, we’d recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. You would want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil procedure. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  14. Dan on September 24, 2023 at 4:01 pm

    2013 jeep jku 3.6 vvt. Changed lifters, rockers, thermostat, water pump, t-cap. Jeep doesn’t quite overheat. I get up to about 240 at worst. Coolant never goes back into coolant bottle. Bottle fills it overflows. Did a Dye test. Took awhile but did turn greenish like traditional coolant. Otherwise I’m not loosing coolant from a leak. I also did a coolant drop in Dye leak test. Was negative when done. But, now I see in uv light some Dye in the oil. Naked eye oil looks fine. No white exhaust. Think icoverd it all. Will this do anything for me? Before I send thousands on a new head or worse engine?

    • BlueDevil Pro on September 25, 2023 at 9:39 am

      Dan-

      The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is intended for water/coolant leaks that are seeping or lightly dripping. If you are not noticing a loss of water/coolant, unfortunately, the vehicle would not be a good candidate for the product. A hard part repair may be your best option.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  15. T on October 6, 2023 at 4:36 am

    My 2018 buick encore is losing coolant from the reservoir. I have changed the container and replaced the thermostat. No white smoke no oil coolant mixture but still losing all coolant with no visible leak. What could it be? The waterpump, fans, radiator all fine and working. Of course the car will run hot when coolant goes bone dry.

    • BlueDevil Pro on October 6, 2023 at 8:32 am

      T-

      Thank you for asking about your Buick Encore. How quickly are you losing coolant? Have you noticed any other symptoms, such as white smoke/steam coming out of the exhaust or coolant mixing in with the engine oil? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  16. Nickky on December 28, 2023 at 9:20 am

    I have a 2013 bmw 750li m package twin turbo. Yesterday my car asked for more coolant. When I tried to add it the fluid was brown. What should I do? Will this work?

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 2, 2024 at 9:28 am

      Nicky-

      Thank you for asking about your BMW. Based on your description, the best place to start may be by bringing the vehicle to your mechanic for a proper diagnosis. At the very least, it sounds as though you will want to have the cooling system flushed to remove any sediment/rust. Have you been able to identify where the coolant is leaking from? Once the mechanic diagnosis the issue, you can move forward with appropriate remedies.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  17. Bothwell on December 30, 2023 at 9:26 pm

    Hello my car has milky like symptoms on the oil and when l started it is idling for just few seconds and it will suddenly stop and if l travel for less than 50km there is need to top up water

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 2, 2024 at 9:36 am

      Bothwell-

      If it appears that water/coolant is getting into the engine oil, unfortunately, this would be a tell-tale sign of a head gasket leak. Based on your description, you may be a good candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. We’d recommend changing the oil before and after the BlueDevil process. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  18. Kameron on January 7, 2024 at 7:38 pm

    So my car a 2000 Cadillac eldurado is loosing coolant and is smoking pretty bad when I first start it up and if I do t let my car warm up and just start driving it will bog down and lose power then smoke a ton then it’ll stop smoking and be fine what should I do to fix this I can tell it’s smoke from antifreeze by the smell and I’m suspecting a head gasket problem

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 8, 2024 at 11:55 am

      Kameron-

      Thank you for asking about your Cadillac. Based on your description, it’s possible that combustion/exhaust gases are pumping back into the cooling system. You can use a “Block Dye Tester” to confirm whether or not that is the case.
      BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work if your vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. To give yourself the best overall chance of BlueDevil working successfully, in addition to the directions, you should remove the spark plug from the cylinder with the leak; this will be the spark plug from the cylinder with the low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will notice one will have a white-crystal-like substance on it and/or may look dirty; this is the plug you should pull. Leave that plug out for the 50 minute idle in order to relieve the pressure from building up and thus allowing the product to seal properly. Be sure to follow the guidelines for the proper amount to use based on the size of your cooling system.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

  19. Kaci on January 21, 2024 at 1:10 pm

    I have a 2006 Kia sportage, i got in a wreck and it caused a small hole in my radiator that my dad plugged and added stop leak to it, my ignition coil and spark plugs also need to be replaced but now when i drive i have to try and crank my car 3-5 times before it starts and i have to add over a gallon of water to my radiator thru the radiator cap and a lot of white smoke comes out of my exhaust also my oil looks like milk. My car does overheat about 45 min after I add water but when I don’t add water it cranks after the first try and doesn’t overheat for an hour.

    • BlueDevil Pro on January 22, 2024 at 9:00 am

      Kaci-

      Thank you for asking about your Kia Sportage. Based on your description, it does sound like the tell-tale signs of a blown head gasket. As long as the vehicle will maintain idle for the full 50 minutes, without overheating or stalling out, and you are not losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50 minute run, you would be a good candidate for the product. You would want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil process. Also, we would recommend flushing the radiator prior to using the BlueDevil. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.

      Thank you!

      -BDP

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