Truck overheated this morning, engine died. Radiator was bone dry. I had some bottles of water with me, so I poured that in once it was cooled off. Was able to crank the truck up and bring it to a gas station down the road where I was able to fill the radiator. Showing signs of a blown head gasket (overheating, tons of smoke coming from tailpipe, water shoots out of radiator when I fill it up), but when I checked the dipstick, the oil seemed perfectly fine. I just changed the oil last weekend, so I don't know if that has something to do with it. I would think that I should still be able to
If there is a head gasket leak, as the engine heats up and expands, that may be sealing the leak somewhat and that would explain your experience. Based on what you are describing, it certainly sounds like a break at the head gasket is likely and/or you could have even gotten cracks in the head or block. All the possibilities would be investigated on disassembly. Overheating will often ruin the thermostat, of course ensuring (or at least contributing to) continued overheating even if nothing else (like a head gasket) is wrong and the coolant level is restored. To get to the bottom of this there are a couple strategies. You can check for exhaust gas in the coolant, you can check for cylinder leakage using a leak down tester and you can see if there is coolant loss as you drive the car. If there are no external leaks, and yet you have coolant loss, that would be a sign of a head gasket leak.
As far as resolving this, if you do attempt a repair keep in mind that cylinder head gasket replacement requires strict adherence to Factory Service Manual specifications particularly regarding block and head flatness. Overheating tends to warp these surfaces and consequently the head and block have to be carefully measured before gasket replacement is even contemplated; these surfaces have to be flat within .002 inches, which is one-half the thickness of a human hair. Also, head bolt replacement and torque sequence, surface preparation (surfaces have to be perfectly smooth and mirror-like before gasket is applied), and so forth, are all critical. Unless the conditions are perfect, leaks are actually common. That’s why a lot of shops won’t do the work because it takes too much effort. If you desire that this problem be diagnosed by a certified Mechanic, dispatched by YourMechanic right to your location, please request an engine overheating diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will identify the problem and estimate a repair strategy to get your car running again. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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There is an easy way to find out if your engine`s head gasket has blown. Simply check under the oil filler cap. If the gasket is not damaged, the inside of the oil cap will be mostly dry. If you discover a milky brownish-yellow substance that is similar to the thickness of a milkshake, you probably have a gasket leak.
Cloud of exhaust fumes when idling, or white smoke coming from exhaust. Coolant clearly leaking onto the ground beneath the head gasket. Bubbles forming in the radiator and reservoir overflow. Oil has a milky discoloration (here on an oil filler cap).
You may even hear a knocking sound emanating from the engine, or the sound of a misfire, depending on how the head gasket blew. The sound of a misfire could be related to an overheating engine, coolant leak, or lowered compression as a result of rough idling.
If the blown head gasket is preventing your car from starting, it`s likely it`s because there is an opening in the engine, and it can`t build up the compression that`s needed to create a spark. A mechanic will be able to take a good look at your engine and diagnose the issue.
Blue Exhaust smoke & White Material in Your Oil If your car looks like a rocket ship with blue smoke streaming out of your exhaust, chances are this is a head gasket problem. Oil is probably leaking into the cylinders and burning there.
The short answer is yes, but it is not recommended. Ignoring a blown head gasket will likely lead to more damage to your engine as well as your wallet. Gaskets are some of the most important and necessary parts of any engine which function to seal off compartments.
Head gasket failures are usually caused by repeated overheating, or continuing to drive after the car has overheated, so the best way to prevent a head gasket failure is to ensure your cooling system is in good condition.
White smoke from your exhaust almost always indicates a blown head gasket, and just like there is coolant mixed with your engine oil, there will also be engine oil mixed with your coolant.
If the blown head gasket has caused catastrophic damage, a complete engine may need to be installed or a new vehicle purchased. If the engine is redeemable, the head gasket should be replaced.
Head gaskets are one of the more difficult repairs on an engine. They require substantial removal of parts, careful cleaning and preparation of surfaces, and methodical replacement and reassembly of the engine components. Nobody really WANTS to replace a head gasket, but sometimes, it`s just necessary.
Instead of taking the head to the water, you`re bringing the water to the head. Once the head is pressurized, you`ll spray it with a soapy solution (bubble fluid or a little dish soap in water). If there are cracks or holes, the solution will bubble up and you`ll know where you need to repair.
Engine codes
Engine codes are one of the first signs that something is wrong with your vehicle. If you see error code p0300, it points to an issue with your head gasket.
If you`ve got a small head gasket leak it will cause your car to overheat but not all the time. The overheating is often due to a loss of coolant but can also be due to the extra heat the head gasket leak is adding to your cooling system.
Most engines will blow a head gasket when the coolant temperature has reached 260 degrees or more.
Most blown head gaskets can be properly fixed without a mechanic. There is a point where the damage is too great and you will need the expertise of a professional to replace the gasket, but many leaks in a head gasket can be taken care of with one of our products.
If you`re replacing the head gasket on your vehicle you should always replace both of them to make sure your engine stays balanced. Also, since you already have the majority of the engine taken apart to replace once gasket, it is cost effective to do the other one at the same time.
The answer is, they should last as long as the life of your engine. However, if you don`t properly maintain your vehicle or the engine, chances are you`ll be having the head gasket replaced in your vehicle`s lifetime.
GOODSON Glow Penetrant Dye (GLO-2) is used to show where cracks may be. Generously spray on pre-cleaned area to be checked. Allow penetrant dye to stand 1 to 5 minutes for normal cracks and 20 minutes or more for extremely fine cracks. After penetration time, Wipe off excess dye to avoid false readings.
A leaking radiator, overheating, white-colored or sweet-smelling exhaust and green-tinted spark plugs are all signs the head gasket is wearing, broken or on its way to that status.
Milky, frothy oil on the dipstick could mean you have coolant leaking into your oil pan, but doesn`t necessarily mean a bad head gasket. This symptom is too often mis-diagnosed as a bad head gasket with unneeded repairs performed. There are many other things that can also cause this and it is rarely a headgasket.
How long does head gasket sealer last? Depending on the size of any gaps, the head gasket sealer could be a permanent fix. But, for larger leaks, it may only last six months or less.
With Steel Seal™ the seal is permanent under normal operating conditions, but there is always the possibility of another leak in another part of the engine.
