A head gasket is a critical component of any combustion engine.
It seals the cylinder heads to the engine block and prevents coolant, oil, and air from mixing between the two components. Without it, an engine can overheat or suffer from poor compression leading to reduced performance or damage.
A blown head gasket can be costly to repair as it requires the disassembly of major components such as the cylinder heads which require specialist knowledge and tools.
We’ll look at what causes a head gasket to blow and how much it will cost you if you need to replace one.
Head Gasket Replacement Cost
The cost of repair depends largely on the make and model of your vehicle.
Generally, a head gasket replacement can range anywhere between $1,000 and $2,000.
Of that total cost, labor makes up most of it, averaging between $1,000 and $1,500. The parts cost typically ranges from $700 to $800.
It should be noted that this approximate range does not take into account any other necessary repairs you may need to fix the underlying cause of the head gasket failure.
This could include replacing faulty cylinder heads or timing components or cleaning out clogged cooling systems. These additional repairs can push the total cost of repair up significantly.
It is important to have any engine problems such as overheating or compression issues checked out by a professional mechanic and address any necessary fixes before attempting to replace a blown head gasket. Doing so could save you money in the long run.
Signs Your Head Gasket Is Blown
To prevent costly repairs, it is important to be aware of the signs of a head gasket failure. These include:
- White smoke from the exhaust pipe.
- Overheating of the engine.
- A milky substance in your oil, or oil that appears to be burning off quickly.
- Hoses and seals near the cylinder heads that feel hot to the touch.
- Low compression in one or more cylinders.
- Slow or poor acceleration.
- Leaking coolant from the radiator, hoses, or engine itself.
- A decrease in fuel economy.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic as soon as possible for diagnosis and repair. This could prevent a costly head gasket replacement and save you money in the long run.
Will it be worth it to get it fixed?
Whether it is worth repairing a blown head gasket depends largely on the age and condition of your vehicle.
If you have an older car that is already showing signs of wear, fixing a blown head gasket might not be the best choice. In this case, it would likely be more cost-effective to consider purchasing a replacement vehicle.
However, if you have a newer or well-maintained vehicle, getting a blown head gasket repair is usually worth it.
The cost of repair may be higher than with an older car but the performance and reliability benefits can outweigh this in the long run.
When considering whether to repair a blown head gasket, it is important to take into account all the factors at play and make an informed decision that best suits your needs.
By weighing up the pros and cons of each choice, you can ensure that you are making an economically sound decision for your wallet as well as your vehicle.
Can You Keep Driving with a Blown Head Gasket?
It is not recommended to keep driving with a blown head gasket as this can cause further damage to the engine and could potentially be dangerous.
The symptoms of a blown head gasket are often subtle at first, but over time they can become more severe and you may risk damaging your engine beyond repair. It is best to have it checked out as soon as possible by a qualified mechanic.
At the end of the day, it is important to remember that taking care of any necessary repairs quickly and efficiently can save you both money and hassle in the long run.
Taking your vehicle for regular servicing and keeping an eye out for signs of a blown head gasket can help you keep your car running for years to come.