Blown head gasket symptoms can be extremely confusing to diagnose even for a seasoned mechanic. Your head gasket is buried deep in your engine and often requires removing almost every other component in your engine bay in order to get to. The other problem with diagnosing a blown head gasket is that many of the symptoms are shared with other cooling system problems especially if you only have a small leak in your head gasket.
For example, one of the most common symptoms exhibited with a blown head gasket is a loss of coolant without any indication of an external leak. This mysterious loss of coolant could be because you have a head gasket leak and the coolant is drawn into your combustion chamber and pushed out of your exhaust system, or it could simply be due to a leak that only appears at high engine temperatures and high cooling system pressures so you never notice the leak while checking under the hood or see any puddles or drips.
Another possibly confusing indication that you might have a blown head gasket is if you’ve got milky colored oil, or water in your oil. If you do have a blown head gasket coolant from your cooling system will leak into your combustion chamber and seep past your piston rings into your engine oil. Depending on the design of your engine, it may also be possible for coolant to leak into your intake plenum due to a bad gasket or hose.
Loss of coolant and milky oil are just a few of the possible indications that you have a blown head gasket. Other indications can include white smoke from the exhaust, bubbles in the radiator or overflow tank, overheating, engine misfires, or other problems. All of these indications can be caused by other smaller problems as well, but if you have multiple indications it increases the possibility that you’ve got a blown head gasket.
To help in proving you have a blown head gasket, there are a few different tests you can perform. First, you can try a pressure test of your cooling system. If everything is working properly in your cooling system, it should be able to hold a constant pressure up to the rating of your radiator cap, usually 10 to 20 PSI. To test your cooling system’s integrity a garage can add a pressure gauge to your cooling system, then pressurize it using compressed air. Once the air source is removed you can watch to see if the pressure in the system holds constant or decreases over the course of a few hours. If the pressure decreases over time, it is an indication that you have a leak somewhere. If you cannot find the leak externally, chances are you have a head gasket leak.
You can also try performing a compression test of your engine to find a head gasket leak. If your head gasket is blown, it will allow the compressed air in 1 or more cylinders to bleed off into the cooling system lowering the compression in that cylinder. If you find low compression in 1 or more cylinders, it could be an indication that you’ve got a head gasket leak in that cylinder.
There are also chemical tests you can perform on your engine’s coolant to try and detect the presence of exhaust gas in your engine’s coolant that is the most definitive of all the blown head gasket testing options you have. This test requires special equipment and chemicals so it can be an expensive or complicated test.
After you have performed these test and proven that your vehicle does indeed have a blown head gasket, use BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to seal the leak without the high repair bills. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is a non-particulate sealing agent that will bond to the metal in your cooling system at the leak point to permanently seal your head gasket leak.
For more information about BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer, click on the banner below!
You can find BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer at any of our partnering local auto parts stores like:
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60 responses to "Is There a Blown Head Gasket Test?"
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Best product ever fixed 04 Toyota 4 runner. Dealer wanted 3k to fix. My friend told me about this product. I’ve tried all types of leak stop products and not one worked. Now I’m a believer.
Anthony-
It is great to hear of the success you have had with the product! We definitely appreciate the feedback.
Thank you!
-BDP
Your product worked for me and your customer service is great. Been driving for 3+years since adding Blue Devil for a head gasket leak. Very happy about it. Thanks! The word is spreading that it actually works. Parts store clerk knows many success stories.
Steve-
Thank you very much for your feedback! We are very happy to hear that the product worked well for you.
-BDP
How long does it take to work
Amy-
The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is sealing during the 50 minute idle. It only reacts to heat once (one heat cycle). Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello everyone I purchased a 1986 Toyota SR-5 4×4 pickup about 3 weeks ago for 4600.00$ I know but the truck looks awesome after only putting 350 miles on the truck I noticed a little coolant leak on top of my engine under the carb air cleaner then a day later coolant drips coming through my bash guard , I sealed up where I thought the leaks were coming from with external tube gasket it seemed to help till 2 days later a much thicker constant white smoke with a sweet smell coming from my muffler I had heard of this product from the internet so I thought to give it a shot I followed the instructions to the letter within 5 or 10 minutes the smoke faded away my engine started to sound instantly better man what a great product worth twice what I paid at 39$ thanks Blue Devil I love that stuff.
Allen-
That is excellent to hear! Once the product seals, it would be a permanent seal, so you should be good to go at this point. We appreciate your positive feedback!
Thank you!
-BDP
I am a tried and true Blue Devil believer who sings your praises, proudly. I’ve used your head-gasket sealer in two vehicles, a ’99 Ranger at 110,000 miles and a ’99 4Runner at 160,000 miles; it worked flawlessly, both times. As a matter of fact, I’m still driving the 4Runner that ust went over 310,000 miles. A buddy of mine cautioned me not to use it…said it would ruin my engine. He’s now a Blue Devil believer and has used it in several vehicles. Did I mention he’s a mechanic? Oh, and I’m a girl. Great product. Easy to use. It really works! Thank you, so much!!
Molly-
It is great to hear of the success you have had with BlueDevil and we’re glad we made a believer out of you and your mechanic! Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 if you run into any questions. We appreciate your feedback!
Thank you!
-BDP
How to use blue devil head gasket sealer
Pruthvi-
Were you reffering to the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (32 oz. yellow label) or the Pour-N-Go Head Gasket Sealer (16 oz. white label). Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can better assist you.
Thank you!
-BDP
hi my name is James Porter owner and operator of Porters Automotive located in Salem NJ
i am interested in becoming a Blue Devil dealer can you please send us a banner for our shop and product info of all your products to
Porters Automotive
PO BOX 52 Salem NJ 08079
thanks in advance for your time
James-
We have a product catalog on the way to you. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
do I need to change the coolant before using pour n go head gasket sealer?
Kevin-
It is not necessary to change your coolant prior to using the BlueDevil Pour-N-Go Head Gasket Sealer. However, dirty or clogged cooling systems should be chemically flushed before installing BlueDevil to ensure the system is clean and free-flowing.
Thank you!
-BDP
Will BlueDevil clog my heater core? I have a 2003 Lincoln Navigator AWD with a separate heater core in the back. Which of your products should I use? No white smoke from the tail pipe. No foamy oil. Does not run hot. Does not misfire. Just a small leak below the exhaust manifold on the drivers side, that only leaks when the car is shut off.
Matthew-
Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/ for your Lincoln Navigator. The product does not contain any solid or particulate matter, so it is a non-clogging product. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML350, with smoking tail pipe on start up, and steamng coolant resevoir requiring frequent top up of coolant. Problem has been diagnosed as blown head gasket….thinking of using your product. Which shoild i try?
Mark-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes Benz ML350. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 06 2.7 dodge magnum..I have recently had a water pump,radiator,cap replaced only to be told its a blown head gasket..is your product recommended for this vehicle?
Kisha-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/ is safe and compatible to use in your Dodge Magnum. Be sure to follow the capacity table on the back of the bottle to ensure you are using the proper amount of the product.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 90 Accord. Had radiator replaced, then hose replaced and mechanical said heater hose replacement won’t do no good it will come off again. Will blue devil help?
Angie-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. 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
I have a 2005 Dodge Magnum it has been diagnosed with a 2 blown gaskets, before I knew about your product I used the Bars which stopped the smoking tailpipe but it still runs bad and hot! Is it to late to use your Blue Devil!? My brother’s a mechanic and he says that it can probably save it.. Thanks
Heather-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Magnum. Are you still noticing a loss of water/coolant? If so, it would be applicable to use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/). Based on your description, you would want to flush the cooling system prior to adding BlueDevil. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have an 03 grand am v6. It’s been running hot and losing coolant somewhere but not sure where just know it’s losing ALOT! There is a milky substance on the oil cap but doesn’t look to be actually in the oil. I replaced thermostat water pump and radiator cap and also used Bars head gasket fix. Will your product fix my problem and which one do I need to purchase
Stephanie-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Grand Am. How quickly are you losing coolant? 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. Based on your description, you would want to flush your cooling system prior to using BlueDevil.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1988 dodge dakota. It has a blown head gasket. Do u need to flush out the engine and cooling system before applying?
Kenneth-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Dakota. When using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/), you would be removing your thermostat and flushing the cooling system prior to use. If you are getting water/coolant into the oil, we 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
I have noticed I have a small oil leak and then I noticed my water resivoir is leaking and I hear a swishing sound in my dashboard when starting the car, I replaced all the water hoses and it stopped for a while and is doing it again. I don’t notice milky oil. I am wondering if it’s ok to use the head gasket sealer if your not sure that’s the problem. I use blue devil everything so I purchased it and just want to make sure it won’t hurt anything if the head is not the issue!
Debbra-
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
Hello,
I have a 2000 SAAB 9-5 SE Wagon (3.0 engine). Recently I have been having bellowing white smoke coming out of the rear exhaust pipes. I have not seen any over heating as of yet. I did notice ( just recently that a milky residue under my oil cap, but nothing in oil. The coolant in the reservoir seems to have changed a slightly different color since I replaced the coolant a few days ago. I am not driving the the vehicle, I was told the head gasket needed replacing, but that is out of my price range at this time. Do you have any products that would work in my situation? Thanks in advance.
Malcolm-
Thank you for asking about your Saab 9-5 SE Wagon. Unfortunately, the white smoke bellowing from your exhaust pipes is a tell-tale sign of a blown head gasket. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/). Be sure to follow the cooling system capacity table to ensure the proper amount of product is used. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yes i have a 1995 ford explore and i put a new radiator on water pump ans thermostat on and it seems when it get warm outside it wont start and when i try to start it smoke is coming from the pipes what could it be
Crystal-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. Unfortunately, it is possible you are experiencing the symptoms of a blown head gasket. Are you noticing a loss of water/coolant? 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
If I have water in the oil and not coming out of the exhaust will the product get into the pan before it seals the gasket? I’m worried about spinning a bearing. The vehicle is a chevy with a duramax engine. Also this engine has two thermostats. Do you have to remove them? Thank you.
Jason-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy. How quickly are you losing water? If you are losing water at an extreme rate, unfortunately, we would not recommend using the product in that case. 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
Will blue devil work for a 2010 Impala with 210,000,00 miles that has white smoke out the tail pipe and antifreeze was smelling through the vents inside the car the car just shut down when my son change the oil all came out and then antifreeze come out … Will blue devil work for Me?
Anissa-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Impala. As long as the vehicle can maintain idle for a full 50 minutes, and you are not losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50 minute run, you would be a great candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (https://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/). Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I used blue devil head gasket sealer on my 06 charger, poured into top radiator hose, let it idle for about an hour, but then drove around most of the day, so it didn’t get to do the heat cycle that I’ve seen in the comments…. Much later in the day I started running hot again… Since I didn’t let it do a full heat cycle, do I need to get another bottle, or would that even help?
Michael-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Charger. Did you shut the vehicle off at all after the 50 minute idle? Did you top the system off with water/coolant after you completed the 50 minute idle? 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
I have a 2010 Ford Escape with loss of compression in one of my engine cylinders. Was told to buy a new car. My understanding is that it can be caused by a blown or cracked head gasket or burnt cylinders. Would your product work in this situation? Not really in a position to buy a new car.
Tracey-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Escape. 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
2005 Dodge Magnum. Can drive all day at times with no problems, other days car will begin to over heat maybe to the 3/4 mark. I will hear the radiator reserve tank start to boil. Pressure is all built up in the cooling system, but if I relieve the pressure I can drive and drive. Had enough and finally was told it is head gasket. I don’t have all the symptoms of a blown head gasket, no milky oil, no white smoke from tail pipe. Just the problems with heating. Was recommended to use this product to seal an opening in the back of the motor that is most likely the cause of all the pressure being present and over heating. Have read the reviews of blue devil and am hoping this will fix up my issue and I can drive free again. Set to apply product starting tomorrow.
Kat-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Magnum. From the sounds of it, it is 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.
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
Will this work on a 99 volvo v70??
Kristin-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is safe and compatible to use on your Volvo v70.
Thank you!
-BDP
What gases, e.g., CO, CO2, etc., can be detected in the coolant overflow bottle if there is a possible failed head gasket (or some other problem)??
Joel-
Combustion/exhaust gases (carbon gases) can enter the cooling system as a result of a blown head gasket or warped/cracked heads. A block-dye test would be able to verify if that was the case. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 99 dodge stratus with loss of coolant with no visible leaks, replaced thermostat and flushed cooling system… Ran great while idling but when driven on road the oil light came on and started making a knocking sound, but oil level was fine… OCEM says misfire cylinder 1, but diagnosed with head gasket blown… Is this a symptom of head gasket?? Can I use your product?
Lee-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Stratus. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. One tell-tale sign of a blown head gasket is water/coolant mixing in with the oil. The knocking sound you are hearing could indicate coolant is getting into the oil, so we recommend changing the oil before and after the BlueDevil procedure.
Thank you!
-BDP
Will blue devil head gasket repair blown head gasket on 4.6 Landrover ? It’s aluminum block and heads?
Kenny-
You would be able to use the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer on your Land Rover. The product is safe and compatible to use on aluminum.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hey I’m wondering if I used blue devil head gasket sealer and it stopped the leak pretty well but it still has a small leak. Should I try another application?
Zachary-
If you noticed improvement, but still have somewhat of a leak, a second application may be recommended. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
Have a 97 Tacoma with a suspected cylinder head or head gasket causing engine to overheat constantly. Even in short drives pressure builds in the cooling system. Should I still try your product even if I’m thinking the worse of a cracked head.
Michael-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Tacoma. In order to get the benefit of using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer, the vehicle would need to be able to maintain idle for a full 50 minutes, and you shouldn’t be losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50-minute run. As long as you meet those general guidelines, it would be worth giving the product a try. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7L. It appears to leak a little coolant on top of the front driver side head. No white smoke, no milky oil, blue liquid compression test came back good. It runs smooth other than an occasional hesitation after I back out of my driveway. It also has a P0300 error code.
John-
Thank you for asking about your Jeep Grand Cherokee. Is the vehicle overheating at all? The error code you’ve mentioned would indicate multiple cylinder misfires. Have you checked the spark plugs to see if any are in need of replacement? Based on your description, it doesn’t sound like you have any of the tell-tale signs of a head gasket leak. It may be best to have the vehicle inspected by an ASE certified mechanic for proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP