Unraveling the Mystery: How Long Does a Head Gasket Last Before it Blows?
As someone that works on and details cars for a living a common question I get asked is how long does a head gasket last?! Saddle up as we dish out some nitty-gritty on this crucial car component. Is it a ticking time bomb or the cyborg of auto parts, capable of weathering anything you throw at it? Let’s find out!
Head gaskets on average last between 100,000 to 200,000 miles. They should be checked for premature failure at 100,000 miles and should be replaced between 100,000-200,000 miles. When a head gasket fails, it allows coolant into the combustion chamber or cylinder walls causing premature engine failure.
Key Takeaways:
- Head gaskets last around 100,000-200,000 miles
- Driving while one is blown will cause engine failure
- A head gasket takes about 4-12 hours to replace
- The replacement cost varies between an average of $1200 to $2500
Pricing Out A Head Gasket?!
Hit the image below and insert your year, make, and model, to price out an exact fit replacement for your head gasket.
How long does a head gasket last?
Alright, the million-dollar question – just how long does a head gasket last before it bites the dust? Much like the Mona Lisa’s expression or the exact contents of a hot dog, there’s no straightforward answer. Fear not, we can drop some knowledge bombs to gleam a little more insight.
On average though, you can expect to get between 100,000-200,000 miles but there are many factors:
- Age of vehicle
- Amount vehicle is driven
- Type of head gasket material used
- Coolant used inside of vehicle
- Poor design choices on engine (popular in Chevy Cobalts with porous blocks – not hating, I owned one.)
Understanding the function of head gaskets
Your head gasket sits like a king on his throne between the cylinder head and engine block. The head gasket is one mighty player, helping to keep everything sealed off from one another—the coolant and engine oil, combustion gasses, and more. Think of it as the hardworking unsung hero, the gatekeeper, ensuring nothing crosses into the forbidden territories that are other areas of the engine.
Factors affecting the longevity of head gaskets
A slew of factors lead to your head gasket’s eventual fantastical farewell, also known as a head gasket failure. Neglecting coolant leaks, for example, is akin to poking a grizzly bear with a stick – it won’t end well. Plus, frequent overheating engine issues are basically the car’s way of crying out “I can’t take it anymore.”
How to maximize the lifespan of a head gasket
Optimal head gasket lifespan isn’t just a roll of the dice. If you’re committed to letting your head gasket last as long as your engine (or cure your boredom), be strict about your service schedule, treat your coolant system like the queen it is, and ensure your radiator isn’t having a mid-life crisis.
Make sure your coolant levels stay proper as well. A low coolant level can cause an engine head to overheat and warp parts of the head gasket or cylinder head.
What are the signs of a blown head gasket?
Now we know the life and times of our pal, the head gasket, but how do we know when it’s belting out its swan song? Let’s dive into the details!
Identifying common symptoms of a bad head gasket
Some telltale signs of a blown head gasket include the “white smoke” signal from your exhaust, or a mystical mixing of oil and coolant (a combo as bad as pineapple on pizza – yes I said it) resulting in a frothy milkshake of engine doom.
This usually means you should get your head gasket replaced.
Understanding coolant leaks and their link to a blown head gasket
Why should you care about coolant leaks? Well, ignoring them is basically telling your head gasket, “I dare you to blow!” Remember the seal between the cylinder head and engine block we mentioned before? Coolant leaks allow excess coolant to leak and hot air to go inside of the engine.
When this happens coolant gets between the head and your cylinders or engine block causing the milky oil. A couple of hours to a few days later and you’ve damaged the head and the cylinder walls of your engine. Catastrophic engine failure is one of the most expensive repairs to have done.
Make sure your coolant is topped off and that the coolant reservoir is full with a tightly sealed radiator cap.
How to confirm if your head gasket is blown
Time for the bad news – if you notice your valve losing compression faster than a dated pop culture reference or your entire engine pulling a Houdini (i.e., disappearing coolant), then – gasp – your head gasket is blown.
It’s quite common that your engine’s oil will mix as well giving you that milky substance. This is the first sign I tell everyone to check for first. It’s going to mix inside your engine first. You’ll be able to see what you’re looking for once you see it for the first time.
Oil is suppose to have a darker color, whereas instead it will now look literally like tan milk kind of. This also is a great time to check for oil leaks too.
Can you drive with a blown head gasket?
Can you? Yes. Should you? Absolutely, positively not! Once you’ve blown your head gasket, the cylinder block will most likely fill with coolant over time the more you drive it. When this happens, coolant can get into the combustion chamber and damage the engine.
The hazards of driving with a blown head gasket
Daring to drive with a blown head gasket is like playing Russian roulette with your car. You may get by for a while, but engine overheating is inevitable, causing more engine damage than you’d like to think about. You’re putting the entire engine block under threat!
Impact of a blown head gasket on the cooling system and engine block
With a blown head gasket, your cooling system is working overtime, like a runaway treadmill—you’ll chug through coolant like there’s no tomorrow, and your radiator might as well be a spinning class instructor with all the excess heat it has to handle!
Depending on the severity of the leak, your car’s engine coolant will start mixing with the oil which gives it that milky look. You’ll know if it’s in the combustion chamber because you’ll have smoke coming out of your exhaust.
Price Of A New Head Gasket?
Hit the image and it will ask you for your year, make, and model of your vehicle.
Submit it and you can see the average price as well as options available for your vehicle.
The smoke will have a “white exhaust” look to it which can lead to serious complications if you don’t fix it soon or get it to a professional mechanic as soon as possible. Afterall, once the piston pushes the coolant up into the cylinder head, it’s pretty much a wrap.
Effects of ignoring a blown head gasket on your service schedule
Ignoring a faulty head gasket is equivalent to throwing your service schedule out the car window. This small part, when it goes bad, can lead to your car spending more time in the repair shop than on the road.
Even though the head gasket is small, it’ s a critical component to make sure your engine stays working efficiently and properly.
How long does it take to replace a head gasket?
Now, for the mother of all repairs: replacing a head gasket. Buckle up folks; it’s, unfortunately, not as brief as swapping out air fresheners.
Pro tip: Most head gaskets on average take between 4 hours and 12 hours to complete.
Step-by-step process to replace a head gasket
The process to replace a head gasket is something only a mechanic should handle. It starts with disassembling parts of the engine, removing the old gasket, installing a new gasket, and ends with reassembling everything. Sounds simple right? Except it’s like saying to bake a cake, you just mix ingredients and put it in the oven. A lot can go wrong!
Factors to consider while replacing the head gasket
When you decide to replace the head gasket, keep in mind that the cylinder head and engine block need to be in good condition. If not, even a new head gasket can also throw a tantrum. Moreover, since you’ve already opened the engine, it’s a good idea to check other components for wear and tear.
Cost implications of a head gasket replacement
You’ve likely guessed that head gasket replacement won’t be costing peanuts. The repair cost is substantial, but it’s worth it. Remember, a stitch in time saves nine; or in this case, saves your engine!
On average it costs about $800-$1500 to have a head gasket replaced.
Can a sealer prolong the life and repair a blown head gasket?
If the idea of a hefty repair bill has you clutching onto your wallet like a lifebuoy, fret not. There’s a temporary savior, a knight in shiny aluminum – a sealer!
Sealers work some of the times but it’s inevitable it will go at some point. Make sure you just follow the service schedule according to your manufacturer.
Understanding different types of sealer and their uses
The market is a sea of varying sealants, from gummy bear-type substances to angel-hair-fine fibers. Each sealant provides a temporary seal to keep your gasket from taking early retirement. Just remember, it’s only a small band-aid, not a permanent solution.
How to properly use a sealer to treat a blown head gasket
Many of these sealers work similarly: flush the cooling system, pour the sealer into the radiator, then run the engine for a bit. It’s like a spa day for your engine, except it’s a lot less relaxing, and nobody’s gonna hand over a cucumber-infused water at the end.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a sealer against outright replacement
A sealer can be a backyard mechanic’s best friend, but it won’t mend a bad head gasket forever. Although it may seem like hitting a jackpot, remember that a blown head gasket replacement is the only ultimate solution. It’s a case of ‘pay now or cry later’.
Head gasket repair can be a complex task, so make sure you do your research before attempting to do any repairs yourself!
So, that’s a wrap, folks! The mystery of the longevity of head gaskets and what happens when a head gasket blows has been debunked. Hopefully, this makes you a bit more comfortable with this engine essential. Don’t wait until it’s too late – invest some time (and a little dough) into your car today for smooth, worry-free driving tomorrow.