Technicians at Toyota of Dothan Explain Head Gaskets Fails

You may have heard the term ‘blown head gasket,’ but what does it mean?  Is your car at risk for an explosion?   No, but they are a big and expensive issue. Technicians at Toyota of Dothan explain head gasket fails.

 

What is a Head Gasket?

When you look at head gasket, it appears to be rather minor, but it plays a critical role in the health and operation of your vehicle.  A head gasket fits between the cylinder head and the engine block; its jobs include forming a seal in the combustion chamber and preventing oil and coolant from mixing.  The head gasket has to be strong enough to seal at varying engine temperatures.

 

Why do Head Gaskets Fail?

A number of factors may contribute to head gasket failure:

• The number one reason for head gasket failure is overheating
• Pre-ignition or detonation
• Faulty or cracked OEM head gasket
• Installation error
• Existing gasket is old and worn out

 

What are the Symptoms of a Blown Head Gasket?

You will not be able to see if the head gasket is damaged just by looking at it.  Inspecting the head gasket requires removing the cylinder head.  The gasket itself does not cost much, but the repair is expensive.  The technician also has to evaluate the underlying issues that may have contributed to the failure.  The following issues may be the sign of a gasket issue:

• Coolant leaks below the exhaust manifold
• Engine continues to overheat
• The oil is white and milky
• The vehicle loses oil, but there are no signs of a leak
• Radiator has bubbles
• Overflow tank has bubbles

 

Do not attempt to replace your head gasket on your own; it is not a do-it-yourself task for newbies.

 

Tags: Alabama Toyota service center, Toyota dealer near Troy, Toyota parts near Troy AL, Troy area Toyota repair
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