There are some makes or models of cars that have a reputation for blowing head gaskets. One such vehicle has such a bad reputation for head gasket problems there is a group of owners trying to get the manufacturer to have a recall on them. If you happen to own one of these vehicles, don’t worry it does not mean that you have a bad car or that you are going to spend lots of money.
What is a Head Gasket?
Let’s start by talking about what a head gasket is. The head gasket lives between your engine block and cylinder head. Every modern car has this gasket but they vary in their thickness and construction based on the manufacturer’s design of the engine. The head gasket is so important because it seals the combustion chamber allowing your car to build the proper compression and contain exhaust gases both of which aid in maintaining the efficiency of your engine. The head gasket also keeps coolant and oil out of the combustion chamber which is important for the same reasons you wouldn’t want coolant or oil leaking anywhere else.
Now that we understand what a head gasket it, it’s important to learn what head gasket failure symptoms look like to avoid higher expenses due to additional engine damage caused by driving with a blown head gasket. To understand the symptoms it can be helpful to understand why a head gasket might fail.
Why Do Head Gaskets Blow?
The head gasket forms a seal between the engine block and the cylinder head. This means your head gasket has to seal both extremely hot, high-pressure combustion gases as well as engine coolant which can be anywhere from cold ambient temperatures to the normal operating temperature of your engine. Due to the wide range of temperatures and relatively large surface area, it is not unusual for head gaskets to develop leaks over time. This can happen regardless of the make or model of your car or the type of head gasket used. To better understand why a head gasket might blow, check out this article on why head gaskets blow.
Since the head gasket seals the coolant passage both from the atmosphere and the combustion chamber you can’t see much of the head gasket on a vehicle with the engine installed. Because much of the gasket can’t be seen without disassembling the engine, blown head gaskets symptoms can be very difficult to diagnose. Since a visual inspection usually will not prove a head gasket leak, it is important to know the other symptoms so you can accurately diagnose a head gasket problem.
How To Tell if a Head Gasket Is Blown:
- Coolant leaking externally from below the exhaust manifold
- White smoke from the exhaust pipe
- Bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank
- Overheating engine
- White milky oil
- Fouled spark plugs
- Low cooling system integrity
External Head Gasket Leak
A head gasket leaking external would cause coolant to come from below the intake or exhaust manifold and often only happens when the engine is completely warmed up. If there are no other cooling passages or hoses near the head gasket you may be able to positively identify the leak as a head gasket leak, but if there are other cooling passages nearby, you may need to add a UV dye to the coolant then watch the head gaskets with a UV light to positively identify the leak.
White Smoke From Tailpipe
Most head gasket leaks are internal to the engine allowing coolant to flow into the combustion chamber on every intake stroke. When this happens to coolant burns/evaporates with the combustion process and appears as white smoke coming from the tailpipe. This smoke can be differentiated from moisture during a cold start by a sweet smell and will continue even when the engine is warm. If the leak in the head gasket is large this white smoke can often be excessive and billow from the tailpipe.
Bubbles in the Radiator
Besides allowing coolant into the combustion chamber, an internal head gasket leak allows exhaust gases into the coolant. This can cause bubbles to be in the radiator or coolant reservoir making the coolant look like it’s boiling even when it’s cold. The bubbles are exhaust gases that force their way into the cooling system during the combustion process. An easy do-it-yourself test for a blown head gasket is to perform a chemical test using this type of tester on your coolant to check for the presence of exhaust gases to see if this is happening in your car. This is the most effective blown head gasket test and can give you a positive sign of a blown head gasket.
Overheating Engine
If you’ve got a blown head gasket, your engine usually will overheat after longer drives. This happens both due to the lack of coolant as your engine consumes it, but also the efficient combustion process, the excess heat from the exhaust in the coolant and the inability of your vehicle’s radiator to cool the dirty coolant. If your engine overheats it can cause lots of problems. The biggest concern is the expansion of metal components past what they were designed for which can cause cracks and warping. Also, it can permanently damage seals and gaskets cause other leaks in your engine. Both of these problems often require a full engine rebuild to remedy.
White or Milky Oil
As coolant leaks into your combustion chamber, it will seep past your piston rings into your oil. Over time oil and water will mix and cause the oil to turn a milky white. You can look for this on your dipstick and around your engine oil cap. Having water in your oil will make your oil ineffective in properly lubricating your motor which will quickly allow wear on your cylinder walls and on the crank and camshaft bearings. Even if you don’t drive the vehicle, the presence of water in the oil can cause rust on machined surfaces which can lead to pitting in the metal and necessitate and engine rebuild.
Fouled Spark Plug
As coolant burns in your combustion chamber, it will leave tiny white deposits on your spark plug usually around the ground strap and electrode. Other problems can cause these white deposits so this isn’t a conclusive blown head gasket symptom but if others are present it could give you more proof.
Low Cooling System Integrity
If there is a leak from your head gasket, pressurizing your cooling system and watching for pressure loss can help prove you have a blown head gasket as well. Since there could be other leaks you don’t know about, this also isn’t a conclusive test, but again just more indications that you may have a blown head gasket. Similarly, you can perform a leak down test which pressurizes the combustion chamber with compressed air and measured the amount of air that leaks out through the head gasket or any other opening the combustion chamber.
Can I Drive With a Blown Head Gasket?
If you have multiple blown head gasket symptoms, it is important to drive your vehicle as little as possible. The hot gases and cold coolant moving through the hole in the gasket can quickly erode or warp the metal head or engine block leaving you with costly machining bills or even having to purchase new heads or a new engine and having water in your engine oil can destroy bearings quickly.
How to Prevent a Head Gasket Failure
There are some ways you can reduce your chances of blowing a head gasket. The first is to keep combustion chamber pressures as low as possible. If your vehicle is turbocharged or supercharged, make sure your boost level is set to the factory setting to keep combustion pressures in check. Also, make sure your engine doesn’t have any preignition or knocking from overly advanced timing or carbon build up. Similarly, maintaining low engine RPMs will reduce stress and heat on your head gasket so avoid running your engine at high RPM. Lastly, if your car has a manual transmission avoid downshifting to slow the car and rev-match anytime you can to reduce pressure on your head gasket.
If you are rebuilding an engine, you can reduce the risk of a blown head gasket in the future by using properly lubricated head studs torqued in the proper sequence to the correct torque setting. You can also make sure your block deck and cylinder head mating surface are properly prepared for the new gasket. Similarly, using a multi-layer steel or other metal head gasket can improve the reliability of your engine. For more information, check our complete article on how to prevent a blown head gasket.
These are just a few different steps you can take to prevent a head gasket failure, but sometimes even following these steps you may still end up with a blown head gasket. If not taken care of right away, blown head gaskets can turn into bigger engine problems that will end up being even more costly to fix down the road.
How Much does a Head Gasket Repair Cost?
Head gasket repair cost can vary significantly from vehicle to vehicle. Cost factors include:
- Number of cylinder banks
- Overhead cam VS pushrod engines
- Head or block damage
- other components replaced
Most of the cost of a head gasket repair is in the labor costs so the complexity of the job can change the cost significantly. For example, a “V” style engine has 2 heads and it is best to replace the gasket on both so the cost increases significantly over an inline engine. Similarly, an engine with overhead cams adds the complexity of removing the timing belt or chain which makes the job more complicated than it would be on a pushrod engine where you simply need to remove the rockers and pushrods. Machine work can add lots of cost to a head gasket job so knowing how much damage has been done to the head or block is important in calculating the cost of your head gasket repair. Lastly, there are lots of other parts that can be replaced when repairing a head gasket like other gaskets and seals, belts, or the water pump and those parts costs can add up quickly as well. For more information on calculating the head gasket repair costs for your car, check out our article on head gasket repair costs.
To quickly and permanently seal your blown head gasket, go to your local auto parts store and pick up one of BlueDevil’s head gasket sealing products. If you have a small leak or 4 or 6 cylinder engine pick up BlueDevil Pour-N-Go 16oz Head Gasket Sealer. Simply add it to your radiator and your head gasket leak will be sealed as your drive! For larger leaks or 8 cylinder engines, use BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer requires the removal of your vehicle’s thermostat and a complete cooling system flush but is guaranteed to fix your blown head gasket!
Don’t risk getting stranded or damaging your vehicle’s engine by driving with a blown head gasket. Stop by your local auto part store today and pick up the quick and easy solution from BlueDevil!
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Pictures Provided By:
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head_gasket.jpg – by Urfinguss – Licensed by Getty Images – Original Link
I tried your white label head gasket repair product on an external head gasket leak. I was unsuccessful in repairing the leak. Do you have any advice I should follow, or do I just need to go through the process of getting a refund? Thanks, Jack.
Jack,
Please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426 so we can determine the best steps to take.
Thanks!
My car has some white smoke but not noticeable but my car heats 3/4 to redline when accelerate or up a hill
Jerald-
Please contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 so that we may discuss all of the symptoms you are experiencing. With further information we will be able to make the best recommendation to you.
Thanks!
-BDP
When I took my 2008 saab 9-3 2.0T to autozone to have the check engine light checked out, they said it was most likely a blown head gasket. But I have no symptoms, no white smoke, I haven’t lost a drop of coolant, oil looks fine, no water coming out of the exhaust, car runs fine. So idk if it’s a blown head gasket or what’s throwing the miss fire code?
Jamie-
That is correct. A misfire code, by itself, does not necessarily mean you have a blown head gasket. You can try inspecting the spark plug from the cylinder experiencing the misfire to see if you can identify what is causing the misfire, ie water, oil, fuel. If you are not experiencing any other symptoms, checking the spark plug(s), coil pack would be the best place to start.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1991 s10 that I put a new water pump in it but when I trun on heater it then leaks coolant from factory gasket
Jose-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy S10. Are you saying it only leaks when you put the heater on or that it started leaking only after putting the heat on? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0526 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
My car has all the symptoms of a blown head gasket for a 2001 Honda civic ls
Julie-
As long as you are not losing water/coolant too quickly, and the vehicle is able to maintain idle for a full 50 minutes, without overheating or stalling out, you would be a great candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
i have a question white. Smoke from. Pipe can i still u devil sealer
Justice-
White smoke coming out of the tail pipe would be a tell-tale sign of a blown head gasket. 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
Mechanic says “blown head gasket” but closing shop so doesn’t want to fix it, I’ll have to get under that sucker…. Ford Taurus 2000 no symptoms except when you turn on the air conditioning. My wife and mother took it around town in 84 f degree weather , air on, wife came back car basically exploded by the pulleys. I thought -water pump. antifreeze and water came out as if someone held a closed hose and let it build up, then released it. All of it came out. Mechanic says came out of reservoir cap, not possible, not like that, not that much. If u ever had a H2O pump go out on u, u understand what I mean.
Mechanic says did dye test and it failed? …
“Bipolar Betty” mom’s Ford, doesn’t or hasn’t rather (knock on wood) overheated infact it stayed perfectly in the middle. There’s is NO external leakage, no continuous white smoke, just a small amount when she starts it goes away after a min of driving, so it’s typical moisture (I figure)
There seems to be no loss of power, no lost of fluid from the reservoir. AC still blows cold, but we don’t use it, though my mother did 2 days after the fact and the other car ran perfect.
There have been a few owners of this car and they were all idiots. Several different types of antifreeze has been put in this thing and even with the radiator replaced, thermostat replaced twice, we have clogging issue I believe.
She doe what she wants. With out any symptoms- how did this car “fail a dye test”? Keep in mind the test is 110.0,0?
This has been my mechanic for 20+ years…. Did he lie to me? He would have to disassemble to see an internal leak correct?
Derrick-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Taurus. Based on your description, if the mechanic performed a block dye test, and it showed that combustion/exhaust gases were getting into the cooling system, it would be a sign of head gasket failure or warped/cracked heads. This would fall in line with the rest of your description, as running the a/c will put more strain on the engine and could be contributing to the issue. It may just be that leak is in the “beginning stages,” which would explain why you aren’t seeing the pronounced symptoms of smoke/steam billowing out of the exhaust pipe or the constant overheating.
Being that the mechanic was declining to do the work anyway, it may be worthwhile to take the vehicle to a different shop for a second opinion.
Thank you!
-BDP
My spark chevrolet model 2009 is not starting after overheating can it be casket ? Should I scam the top cylinder?
Bonny-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Spark. Unfortunately, an engine that has overheated could cause a blown head gasket. However, in most cases, you are still able to start the engine, even with a blown head gasket. More than likely, when the engine overheated, it may have caused damage to the fuel system and is not allowing fuel to circulate through the engine. At this point, it may be best to start looking for alternative transportation.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1998 mercury grand marquis overheating, taking a half of jug of coolant a day. My oil is clear, no smoke or water leakage coming from my exhaust pipe and theres no water on the ground. I have a new thermostat, coolant jug and flush but no luck. The overheating is getting worst. Could this be a head gasket problem? If so, which one of your products do you recommend?
Markina-
Yes, it is likely a head gasket issue that you experiencing. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
Based on your description, it sounds like your vehicle may be 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 a low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will sometimes 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. BlueDevil will create a permanent seal.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 96 mercury Sable no leaks on the ground, no milky substance, but there was a Lil white smoke not much after starting up after sitting for a couple months but cleared up no smoke at all now, but after driving the car for 15, to 20 min., it’s over heating coolant was low, topped off but like it stay at the same coolant level but while driving turn on heater n it seems to cool the car down…could this be head Gasket problem if so what product could I use or what do u suggest…please help thank u in advance
Carl,
Thanks for your question about your 1996 Mercury Sable. If your white smoke stopped and you don’t have milky oil it could simply be that your cooling system needs to be refreshed as you may have a clogged heater core or rust in your system. We would recommend using Blue Devil Radiator Flush (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-flush-00204/) to clean our your cooling system. Then add new coolant and replace your thermostat and see if that gets your operating temperature and heater back to normal.
Thanks for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
If my van is over heating during this do I turn it off
James-
If the vehicle starts to overheat it should be shut down. Normally, if a vehicle overheats prior to the recommended 50 minute idle being complete, it is an indication that the vehicle may have a leak that is larger than what BlueDevil is intended to fix.
Thank you!
-BDP
Ah, yeah, but it is important to mention that you need to setup the removed plug and coil pack connection to fire to ground while running the car for the 50 minutes…the 20-40 thousand volts coming from the disconnected plug WILL blow your coil pack on that wire and potentially blow the ECM computer driver for that plug!!! How do I know? Trust me it just happened!!!
either that or a leaking gasket on thermostat, or more likely, the water pump
I have a 1985 Toyota van doesn’t leak in the radiator does not leak in the water pump does not leak in the big hoses from the radiator but now I have a leak in the back of the motor to 4 cylinder I do not have I do not have antifreeze in the oil can you help me with this and tell me what it is it’s leaking from the back of the motor thank
Donald-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota. To confirm, are you losing antifreeze or 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
Tbh,it sounds like your intake manifold could be the culprit. The 4.6 Ford’s Achilles heel.
You have s cracked intake manifold, very common on that vehicle
that’s how mine started out and then all the sudden boom head gasket blown it’s on its way to blow go get the sealant ASAP
Can there be any other reason s lil fluid to come out the tail pipe like I bottomed out and the tail pipe was hanging lose got along time got it welded up n then seen few wet spots one time at the tail pipe
Rachel-
Did you notice the fluid while the vehicle was running or after the vehicle had been run and the engine completely cooled? If it was the latter, this would be normal. If you noticed it with the vehicle running, please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2003 buick century I had a leak and it overheated real bad I drove it home about 6 to 8 miles pulling off and letting it cool down several times got leaked fixed no signs of blown head gasket do you think it is OK car is not overheating yet
Danny-
Thank you for asking about your Buick Century. If you are not noticing any symptoms currently, you should be good to go. Only time will tell if the original overheating caused any internal damage that is detrimental to the vehicle’s ability to run properly. We recommend road testing it a few times in short trips, around the block, to see if any issues arise.
Thank you!
-BDP
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will still work when 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 a low compression reading. If you are not sure which one that is, you may pull all of the spark plugs and will sometimes 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.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks!
-BDP
I have a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe with 165,000+ miles on it. It does not seem to be overheating, but, yesterday as I was driving the A/c suddenly started blowing warm air and smelled kind of sweet. I turned it off and kept driving. I picked my daughter up from school and when I started the car it made a loud funky sound, but started. Driving home 1 1/2 miles, white smoke started coming out from under the hood. (A LOT of smoke). When I got home I lifted the hood and there was a thick beige/chocolately colored liquid splashed all over the top of my engine and on my fan and it had a sweet smell to it. Could this be a blown head gasket? There was a LOT of smoke. Would this also cause the A/C to blow warm?
April-
Thank you for asking about your Hyundai Santa Fe. Typically, the A/C blowing warm air would not be related to an antifreeze leak. Have you inspected the oil to see if water/coolant is getting in there? Based on your description, it is possible that it is a head gasket leak you are dealing with, however, it is not positively the case. You may want to have the vehicle looked at by a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hi,
I have a 2004 Grand Am with the 3.4L V6. It is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure which then spills all over the garage floor. I can pull and inspect the plugs and do the above mentioned with leaving that plug out. My question is, will the 16 oz. pour and go do the trick, or do you think I need to pull the thermostat and flush it and use the higher strength stuff? I’m hoping not to have to pull the thermostat as it is almost as big of a job to do that as it would be to replace the entire head gasket.
Thanks
Carl-
Thank you for asking about your Pontiac Grand Am. A clean, free-flowing system is vital to having success using either of our Head Gasket Sealers. When combustion/exhaust gases are present in the cooling system, the system is being over-pressurized and the circulation of water/coolant is being restricted. For best overall results, we do recommend the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (32 oz. yellow label), which requires the removal of the thermostat and a cooling system flush prior to use. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have vw blue line and the thermostat bis new but it loosing power from from there water level is going hgh as soon as it happens it starts boiling
Mbekezeli-
It’s possible you have an air pocket trapped in the system. Try bleeding it to get rid of the excess air. You can idle the vehicle for 15-20 minutes, with the radiator cap off, and allow it to boil/bubble out, then top it off from there.
Thank you!
-BDP
What!? This could result in a fire if you don’t disconnect the injector to the plug.
I have a 99 Ford f150 4.6withthe bubbles in the reservoir but now won’t start to use the blue devil sealer what can I do??
Peggy-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-150. In order to get the benefit of using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer, the vehicle would need to be able to start and idle for a full 50 minutes. If you can get the vehicle started, it would be worth while to move forward using the product.
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
How do I know when my car head gasket is bad?
William-
Generally, the more quickly you lose antifreeze the worse the head gasket has become. Many times you will notice heavy steam out of the tailpipe, milkiness in your engine oil, or overheating. It will usually become very clear when a head gasket is severe.
Thank you!
-BDP
that exactly what I found in my engine when I had a bad head gasket , milkiness in my engine oil, overheating.
I have a 2002 Windstar Van. Started leaking coolant really bad
We tried the kW Head gasket and Block repair. Flush the system and did everything by the instructions and didn’t work. Now the stream is bigger than ever. Already spent close to $90 dollars there is oil getting into the coolant. But as far as we can tell is not getting into oil. Any suggestion that will work?
Reba-
Unfortunately, based on your description it sounds like the leak has gotten to a point that is too large for what BlueDevil is intended and designed to fix.
We recommend taking the vehicle in to a certified mechanic to be looked at and potentially repaired. The only solution may be hard part repair due to how large the leak has become and the fact that oil is entering the cooling system.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have oil in my radiator is this do to a blown head gasket and will blue devil work on it
Scott-
Thank you for your question. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is only intended for water/coolant leaks. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product for stopping oil leaks into the radiator. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Hello I have an 05 honda civic that I had just bought ..when I bought it everything great but a few days later I noticed that it didn’t had coolant or anything and then I added a bit of water just to clean the inside and then tried flsuhing it but the water wouldn’t come out from the bottom of the radiator what can this be ??????
Erick-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Civic. Was the vehicle 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
I have a 2006 chevy equinox that keeps overheating. Have put in a brand new thermostat and flushed the radiator and it still continues to overheat. Could it be a blown head gasket
Julie-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Equinox. Based on your description, it is tough to say whether the vehicle is overheating because of a blown head gasket. We recommend taking the vehicle to a certified ASE mechanic and having the vehicle properly diagnosed.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1007 e420 smooth idle lots of power..no milky oil no moisture in the exhaust or spark plugs…it overheats..the expansion tank sounds loud and violent…it takes quite a long time for it to overheat but it does every time…both fans come on at extremely high speeds and im not sure about the fan clutch..I have not done a compression test yet but even boiling over from the expansion tank it smooth acceleration and no smoke of any kind..the top radiator hose gets very hot and very pressurized but the bottom hose on the expansion to radiator is cool to the touch..I do not understand how the tank can boil but the hose that delivers the water to the radiator stays cool…it does not seem to be getting heat …no leaks and again at idle it takes 46 to 50 mins to get so hot I have to cut it off…does it sound like a head gasket or a thermostat or water pump or fan clutch ?…that is what I have narrowed it down to…thank you for any help.
Simon-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes Benz E420. Based on your description, it sounds like it is possibly a faulty thermostat or water pump. The fact that you are not noticing a water/coolant leak, would lead us to believe that it is not a head gasket issue. You can check the thermostat first to make sure it is opening and closing at the proper temperature. If not, replacing the thermostat should correct the problem. If it is, you may want to bring the vehicle to a shop for a possible water pump replacement.
Thank you!
-BDP
My 2010 Astra j 1.4 turbo the coolant light came on today but went off 10 seconds later the mechanic told me my head gasket is weak so I was driving around without my thermostat but now I’ve put it back in because it cools down too quick
Please could you give me a response
Thanks
Rahim-
Thank you for asking about your Astra J. Did you have to add coolant for the light to go off? 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
Blue Devil, my car was running hot and smoke was coming from the car and it was leaking oil. The smoke was coming from the hood and I even added coolant and oil stabilizer and oil to the engine. It also had a really bad rattling sound when I hit the accelerator and now it has an oil leak
Rashad-
Is water/coolant getting into the engine oil? The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (http://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/) would be able to stop the coolant loss you are experiencing, however, it would not be able to stop an oil leak coming from the head gasket, if that is indeed where the oil leak is coming from. Have you had the vehicle diagnosed? 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 2007 suzuki forenza it leaks oil from around valve gasket we had it replaced with a new valve gasket kit .them it started smoking white smoke and running hot .What can I do to stop the leak and smoking
Stephanie-
Thank you for asking about your Suzuki Forenza. White smoke would be an indication that water/antifreeze is burning, where as blue smoke would indicate oil burning. Are you losing antifreeze and oil as well? 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 1997 Ford 7.3 diesel F-250 and it has gotten where it will run good when it is cold for around 5-7 miles and then it starts jerking and smoking grey, white and black smoke, and then it will quit running, and as soon as it cools down then it runs good for another 5-7 miles, and then it does it all over again, there is no water in my oil, or oil in my water and as long as it is cool, then it does not smoke and runs good, it did not loose power except when the heat guage gets up to medium.
David-
Thank you for asking about your Ford F-250 7.3 Diesel. In order to get the benefit of using the product, the vehicle would need to be able to idle for a full 50 minutes without overheating or stalling out, and you shouldn’t be losing more than about a quart of water/coolant during that 50 minute run. If you can meet those general guidelines, then you would be a great candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer (https://store.gobdp.com/head-gasket-sealer-38386/). Be sure to follow the cooling system capacity table on the back of the bottle to ensure the proper amount of product is used.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2004 Toyota Corolla I got about a week ago. When I got the vehicle everything was fine the first day the second day gauge kept reading hot but engine didn’t seem to be hot so I replaced the thermostat. Fixed my problem for about 3 to 4 days. Then my check engine light was on so I got it tested and it came back that the number 2 cylinder coil was misfiring so I replaced plug n coil. Engine sounded way better and there was no misfire. I let vehicle ide for awhile maybe 30 mins or so and the gauge starting reading hot but yet raditr cap and engine n components are cool. Heater wouldn’t work. I let engine cool about 2 hours and opened radiator and topped of with water. (Which for some reason seemed to be halfway gone) then I left engine idle to make sure all components were filed with water before putting cap back on. Once water level was full I replaced cap and let the engine idle for another 15 mins. After the 15 mins white smoke starts to come out the tailpipe(no smoke whatsever before hand) I turned car off and drunk it back up. This time the muffler seems to have small air sounding pockets coming about every 2 to 3 seconds and a bunch of white smoke is coming out. The check engine light started blinking for a few seconds and then remained solid. I need some help have had vehicle for a week tomorrow(friday) and I pay notes on it!!!!
Brittany-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Corolla. Did you purchase an extended warranty? If so, it would be worth it to bring the vehicle into a shop for a proper diagnosis and remedy. Based on your description, 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
My car is Saturn 2000 it overheat within 10mins of idleness does it mean I will need to change my head gasket
Can’t a head gasket be doubled thank u
Mathias-
Thank you for asking about your Saturn. A vehicle can over heat for a number of different reasons, some are not even related to the head gaskets. 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
I have a 1997 Jeep Cherokee. It overheats at idle but cools down when driving. I took the thermostat out to allow constant water flow. The only symptom I have of a head gasket issue is bubbles in the overflow tank if it gets hot. There’s no smoking, no discoloration on the oil etc. Thoughts?
Heather,
Thanks for your question about your 1997 Jeep Cherokee. Usually, to diagnose a blown head gasket you want to have more than 1 symptom. It’s certainly possible that you’ve got bubbles in the overflow tank due to a bad radiator cap or air in your system. We would recommend checking your radiator cap to make sure it is keeping the system under pressure and also checking the function of your cooling fan and shroud to make sure it is properly moving air through the radiator.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a dodge neon 05 and it doesn’t leak or smoke or nothing but it overheats usually when it’s slow traffic or on stops. What can it be? Can the head gasket be blown?
Cynthia-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Neon. Based on your description, it does not necessarily sound like the overheating issue you’re having is head gasket related. Unfortunately, a vehicle can overheat for a number of different reasons. If you are not seeing a leak or noticing a loss of water/coolant, the best place to start would check to see that the thermostat is functioning properly. A thermostat that is stuck closed would cause the vehicle to start overheating. You can remove it and place it in boiling water to make sure it is opening up at the proper temperature. If the problem persists, you may want to bring the vehicle into a certified ASE mechanic for a proper diagnosis.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2005 dodge grand caravan and it has all the signs of blown head gasket. what should I do?
Nicole-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Grand Caravan. What are the symptoms the vehicle is having? 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
Replace your radiator cap !!! Had a Honda over heating at stop lights but was fine when moving with no stops. Replace everything to do within cooling system and it was 5.00 radiator cap !!!!
I have a 2006 ford explorer coolant is leaking when it runs and parked but not when it’s off. Blows white smoke but not much and sometimes feels like it doesn’t wanna accelerate or atleast a hard time.
Ryan-
Thank you for asking about your Ford Explorer. As long as you aren’t losing coolant too quickly, you would be a good candidate for the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Car never overheated or no white smoke or milky white substance in oil. Radiator hose popped off of radiator breaking connection on radiator. Radiator replaced and thermostat for good measure. Coolant system filled and air bled. While running car the with overflow cap on, hose got hard, build up of pressure and blew my cabin heater coil. Is this a head gasket issue and which one of your products would work to seal it?
Fig-
It sounds like the vehicle is getting combustion/exhaust gases blowing into the cooling system and creating pressure. We would recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
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. 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.
Feel free to contact us at 888-863-0426 with any questions.
Thanks,
BDP
Thank you for the response.
IN A DIESEL ENGINE I SAW HUGE BLACK SMOKE .LOT OF WATER LEAKAGING NEAR HEAD GASKET. SOME TIME LATER ENGINE SLOWELY DOWN AND FINELY STOPED,WHAT IS THE REASON?
Sahadev-
It sounds like you have an imbalance in the air to fuel ratio – too much fuel to not enough air. This means either too much fuel is being added to the mix or there’s not enough oxygen being supplied to burn the fuel.
The most common causes of this are faulty injectors, a faulty injector pump, a bad air filter (causing not enough oxygen to be supplied), a bad EGR valve (causing the valves to clog) or even a bad turbocharger. Some of these are easy fixes while others may require you to visit a certified mechanic. We hope this helps.
-BDP
Ok.I added a new oil sendind unit to my car(2000 Malibu). Now Iam adding coolant to my car every week. What seems to be the problem?
Lorraine,
Thanks for your question about your 2000 Malibu. We would recommend trying to identify where the coolant is leaking. Our leak stop products cannot seal a leak in a bad hose so if you can find the leak coming from a hose, we would recommend simply replacing that hose. If you find the leak coming from a gasket, the radiator or engine block you can use BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/radiator-block-sealer-00205/) to seal the leak.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
Hi I have a 93 honda prelude car doesn’t over heat. But I’m losing alot of coolant and adding alot of coolant every other day. and the reservoir tank completely empty. Under the car shows alot of coolant but it drys up never hits the ground no white smoke from exhaust pipe no signs of oil in the radiator or under the cap. Could it be head gasket?
Neuda,
Thanks for your question about your Honda Prelude. The leak you’re describing could be an external head gasket leak meaning the water is leaking out of the head gasket rather than into your engine’s cylinders. Usually, if this is the case you’ll notice steam coming from the head after driving for more than 10 minutes. If this is the case, we’d recommend using BlueDevil Pour-N-Go (available here: http://store.gobdp.com/pour-n-go-head-gasket-sealer-00209/) to seal the leak.
It is also possible that the leak is coming from one of your hoses so it may be worth checking the condition of your radiator hoses and the hoses going to your heat core.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
there is white smoke coming from under the hood an it jerks an sputters an dies an i dont know what is wrong with my van its a 99 murcury villager
Chasty,
It sounds like you’ve got a big coolant leak and possibly some other problems. Your car probably is not safe to drive the way it is so we would recommend having it towed to a mechanic for a diagnosis. If you decide to do the work yourself, we would recommend letting the car cool all the way down, popping the hood, then starting it and seeing if you can find the coolant leak quickly. If you can get that fixed quickly, you may be able to have better luck diagnosing the rest of the problems you’re having.
Thanks for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have 1995″Mercedes 220 . Overheat when I pull a small caravan.
Jan-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes 220. Have you noticed any white smoke/steam coming from the exhaust pipe or water getting into your engine oil? Are you noticing any issues when not putting the engine under load? 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’ve witnessed the following symptoms with my engine:
-an overheating engine
-significant loss of cool with identifiable leak
No:
– coolant leaking externally from bellow the exhaust manifold
-milky white discharge in my motor oil (not a lick),
-white smoke from the exhaust pipe
-bubbles in the radiator or coolant overflow tank
will this product be able to solve the following problems?
Ian-
As long as the vehicle will idle for a full 50 minutes without overheating or stalling out and will not lose more than about 1 US quart of water during a 50 minute idle then there is a great chance that BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer will work.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 02 Dodge Ram 1500 with 97,000 miles on it and it’s been a good truck up until now. I first noticed it lacking power. Then came the check engine light. Now 3 days later I noticed a lot of white smoke and it running extremely rough! So I’m almost certain that’s it’s the head gasket… Thoughts…?
Joe-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Ram 1500. It sounds like the vehicle may be 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
I was wondering if I should do the same. I have a 2003 Dakota with a 4.7 v8 and mine has milky oil, combustion in coolant, white smoke, and overheats pretty quickly now. All this came about in about a 25 mile time frame. Not all 25 miles at once either. Probably about 5 miles at a time because I was testing it. All of a sudden though the white smoke got rediculous so I parked it. Been parked for about 2 weeks now. Just needing some (before) rebuild advise. Thanks
Hexg-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Dakota. Based on your description, yes, the recommendation would be the same. You would want to remove the spark plug from the affected cylinder to reduce the amount of pressure building up, thus allowing the product the best chance of circulating and sealing properly. In addition, you would also want to change the oil before and after the BlueDevil procedure.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1998 ford expedition will this product work for my truck aswell???
Rosalinda-
Yes, the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is compatible for use in your Ford Expedition. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 with any other questions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Some one put some blueDevil in to my antifreeze and now my engine light is on what damage did I do to my motor
Kathy-
What were the symptoms your vehicle was 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
I have a 2012chevy equinox that has white smoke coming from the tailpipe and oil dripping on the belt please help me find out what this problem may be .
Christy-
It sounds like you may have multiple leaks going on with your Chevy. Please contact us at 888-863-0426 so that we discuss some possible options in getting the leaks repaired.
Thank you!
-BDP
Used it try and fix my 2006 Volkswagen Jetta tdi 2.0t diesel seemed to work properly but when I decided to test drive it it felt as if It was sputtering so I turned around to head back home due to feeling unsafe it proceeded to shut off and hasn’t started since any thoughts?
Tony-
Thank you for asking about your Volkswagen Jetta. Are you still noticing a loss of water/coolant? The product wouldn’t instantaneously seal, so you still would have lost a little water/coolant during the 50-minute run. Feel free to contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 for further assistance.
Thank you!
-BDP
It works like a charm so make sure you follow the directions. Money well spent in my experience. Good luck
What if I didn’t run my heater the whole time? Will that cause issues?
As long as your vehicle didn’t overheat their shouldn’t be any problems.
Feel free to call Tech Support at 1.888.863.0426 if you have any other questions.
What if your car overheats during pour and go process
Your car needs to be able to idle for 50 minutes without overheating to complete the installation. Please call our tech line at 1.888.863.0426 for assistance.
If the car over before the process will it not work if u try it again a little later
You must be able to maintain a 50 minute idle for the product to work correctly. If you need further assistance please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426.
-BDP
Ford 2006 F-250 turbo diesel that is loosing coolant antifreeze maybe 2-3 cups per 200 miles but pulling a 5th wheel camper. does not overheat but I am concerned of a head gasket problem?
The leak could be coming from anywhere within the cooling system. I would diagnose the issue as a head gasket leak prior to installation but, if you are definitely loosing coolant, BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be the appropriate product.
Only sign is I did a oil change and came out lookin like chocolate milk what does that mean is my head gasket blown
Lucas-
Yes, it sounds like you have a blown head gasket. We recommend using the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. To ensure best results you should change your oil before and after the BlueDevil process.
-BDP
I have a 1994 Mazda 626 ; no white smoke;no water in oil; but oil is in radiator; oil level constantly goes down.
Floyd-
Thank you for asking about your Mazda 626. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product intended to stop oil from getting into the radiator. A hard part repair may be your best option.
Thank you!
-BDP
do I have to remove the thermostat and why?
Yes, to create a free flowing system.
-BDP
toyota 2e engine already removed thermostat. yet, still fast to get heatened.pls help what to do.
Jeffrey,
Please contact our technical support team at 888-863-0426 so that we may assist you further.
-BDP
To continue waiting on your response and maybe not related but puzzling, I live in Miami, Fl. and we seldom use the heater, if ever. In trying to adjust idle problem, I tried tweaking and adjusting the Throttle Position Sensor but had no success in many attempts. I then tried turning on the heater and let it run for a few minutes at 1200 RPM. The idle was fluctuating. The engine started bucking and jerking. Saw smoke rising from the engine that smelled of something burnt… Then, then, then the engine started smoothing out and started idling much better and not wanting to die out.
??? How can turning on the heater do this? Trapped air bubbles??? WHAT???
Cat5
I would advise taking your car to someone certified that can look under the hood… It seems like you have more things going on then normal it would be difficult to diagnose online.
-BDP
Radiator hose breaks how quick can the head crack?
We need some more information to answer this properly. Click here to submit your question to our mechanic.
-BDP
My car overheats but needle only goes a lil over half on gauge. No smoke no water in oil. Maybe every 2days have to add water to radiator. What seems to be problem?
Walter-
It is very possible that you have a blown/leaking head gasket. The fact that you are losing coolant says that there is definitely a leak within your cooling system whether it be a bad head gasket, leaking heater core, leaking freeze plug(s), or a cracked block.
We recommend adding the proper amount of the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer. This will help stop the coolant loss and in turn prevent your vehicle from overheating.
Thank You!
-BDP
I was driving my car quite a lot today and when I turned it off I could head bubbling in my radiator. Also I noticed that there was a thin line of liquid along the front of my engine between the cylinder head and block. My coolant level has been reducing slightly over the past few months and I always top it up. There isn’t any white smoke from the exhaust or doesn’t appear to be an cloudiness in the oil. Do you think this is a head gasket problem? Is bluedevil a solution to this problem. Thanks
If you losing coolant, BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer would be the appropriate product for your situation.
-BDP
Long story short- radiator blew 3 years ago. Put a stop leak in (don’t remember what kind). Replaced radiator. Overheated die to blown hoses. Replaced hoses. Overheated again. Noticed that coolant had what looked like oil on radiator cap. Replaced blown hose and flushed system. Problem seemed fixed, until yet another hose blew. Sludge came back. Seems to be symptom of blown head gasket, but no white smoke from trail pipe, no overheating, no coolant loss, and no bubbles in overflow. Cause of the problem? 97 civic. No coolant in oil. Suggestions?
Nicole-
It sounds like you are getting oil pushed into the coolant. The BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer is made specifically for coolant leaks. Unfortunately, we do not manufacture a product that will stop oil from entering the coolant.
I have a 2005 ford f350 6.0 diesel I already replaced the STY headbolt with studs. I am getting pressure which is causing puking only under high boost. I have checked pressure with a gauge and am sure it is coming thru my head gasket, will blue devil repair this problem as its pressure out of the combustion chamber into my coolant system?
Thanks
Mike
Mike-
We would not recommend using the product in your Ford Diesel. In situations with a gasoline engine we would recommend pulling the spark plug from the effected cylinder to relieve some of the pressure blowing into the cooling system. However, because diesel engines use glow plugs you will be unable to use that method.
Feel free to contact us at 1.888.863.0426 with any further questions.
All I have is a small coolant leak, I was moving my car at school and ran it on a cold start, what could be the cause to the leak? The leak is dripping somewhere under my Timing Belt, I have a 1991 Mazda Miata.
Joshua-
It is likely that your water pump is leaking. You should first have the water pump check out and if it turns out it is not leaking then it is possibly a head gasket leak.
If the Mazda is diagnosed with a head gasket leak then we recommend using 8 – 10 ounces of the BlueDevil Head Gasket Sealer.
Feel free to contact our tech support team at 888-863-0426 with any further questions.
-BDP
I have a 2003 Montero Mitsubi tshi that is leaking coolant fast I have tried blue devil permanent sealer once should I have it done again. It stop but start back leaking about 3 weeks later thanks
Barbara,
Thanks for your question about your Montero. We would recommend you try calling our technical support department at 888.863.0426 to give them the details of your leak so they can help you know where to go from here.
Thanks again for your question!
-BD Auto Pro
I have a 2004 Pontiac grand am it starts up up I think I have water leaking into my engine the oil is milky will this product still work???
Adrian,
Yes, our product will work for the situation you described. I would change your oil before AND after the application.
Please feel free to give our tech line a call if you have any questions. 1.888.863.0426
-BDP
Do I use the whole bottle or half
Adrian,
Please give our tech line a call at 1.888.863.0426 so we can assist you. We need to know the size of your vehicle prior to giving a recommendation.
-BDP