Blown Head Gasket: Everything You Need to Know

When most of us hear “blown head gasket,” we see dollar signs flash before our eyes. If you haven’t experienced it with one of your vehicles, you’ve probably at least heard from a friend what a hassle a blown gasket can be. The repair alone is enough to make anyone want to go get a second job or start riding a bike rather than foot the bill or wait for it to be fixed. If you suspect you may have a blown gasket and want to learn more about your options or simply want to learn more about common automotive complications, continue reading below! Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if you have any questions.

Get in Touch!

How to Identify and Fix a Blown Head Gasket

Symptoms of a Blown Gasket

What does a blown head gasket sound like? One of the first questions many people have when they hear a knocking or rattling from their engine is whether or not it’s a blown head gasket. While knocking may be a symptom of a blown head gasket, it’s typically not one of the first. Any of the following signs may mean you have a blown gasket:

Chronic overheating
Disappearing coolant
Bubbles in your radiator or coolant reservoir
Milky substance (water) in your oil or around your oil cap
White smoke from your exhaust
Fouled spark plugs or cylinder misfires

There are varied and multiple blown head gasket symptoms, because the head gasket has a lot of jobs. The head gasket sits between the engine block and the engine head. Coolant has to flow in and around the head and the block and it is kept in the coolant passage by the head gasket. Also, the head gasket is responsible for keeping the combustion gases in the combustion chamber and out of the coolant passages. Head gasket failure can therefore result in a leaking of coolant outside the engine to the atmosphere, and leaving drips or puddles under your car, or leaking of coolant into the combustion chamber causing white smoke from the exhaust and a sweet smell.

Can You Test for a Blown Gasket?

There are a few simple blown gasket tests that you can run to ensure that you are identifying the right issue. Having multiple of the above symptoms at once is a good indication that you have a blown head gasket, but it’s best to make sure before you try replacing it. If you have an external leak with puddles and drips, you can check to see if the coolant is coming from in between the head and the block (just under the exhaust manifold). You may need a mechanics mirror, available at your local auto parts store, to be able to see the affected area.

If you have an internal leak with white smoke and a sweet smell, you can purchase a Combustion Leak Test Kit from your local parts store. The Combustion Leak Test Kit will test your coolant for the presence of exhaust gases, proving there is a breach between your combustion chamber and coolant passages.

Lastly, you can perform a cooling system pressure test to detect a leak, but the equipment for this test is expensive and it will only prove there is a leak, and not necessarily the location. If you think you may just have a leak, stop it in its tracks with BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.

Replacing Your Gasket

If you think you may have a blown head gasket that is beyond saving, check out our blog on fixinging a blown head gasket at home. Save yourself the hassle of finding a reputable mechanic and paying for labor costs by doing it yourself!

How Much Will Repair Cost?

What’s a car even worth with a blown head gasket? It’s not uncommon for this issue to total an inexpensive car. But if you decide to move forward with repairing your blown head gasket, you’re going to be looking at thousands of dollars in repairs (typically between one and two thousand dollars), making it one of the most expensive car repairs. Try using BlueDevil head gasket seal before you take the leap!

How to Fix a Blown Head Gasket Without Replacing it

If you’ve seen these blown head gasket symptoms in your vehicle you’ve got a few options. Replacing the head gasket is one, but it’s expensive and will probably leave your vehicle in the shop for an extended period of time. A much simpler option is using BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer to seal the leak from the inside out. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is a powerful sealing agent that will travel through your cooling system until it finds the leak in your head gasket and seals it shut! Buy the head gasket sealer below.

Seal Your Head Gasket