Willoughby Hills Auto Repair advises that you may have ended up with a cracked head gasket if you drove your automobile for an extended period when the engine was overheating. Heat is the head gasket’s enemy. In fact, excess heat cannot only crack the head gasket but also the exhaust manifold and the engine block. Let’s talk about the signs that you have a cracked head gasket below.
Significant Coolant Loss
Also called a blown head gasket, when the head gasket cracks, it allows coolant to leak into the cylinder block. The head gasket is between the cylinder block and the rest of the engine to avoid such fluid leaks. It is also above the cylinder block so it can seal it off for compression. Unfortunately, if the coolant is leaking into the cylinders, you will have significant coolant loss in the engine.
An Overheating Engine
You don’t need us to tell you that this is going to make the engine overheat. In fact, again, your engine was likely already overheating if the head gasket blew. Nonetheless, the engine is going to run too hot no matter what you do every time that you drive your automobile because you do not have coolant circulating through the engine. The coolant is leaking into the cylinders.
Coolant That Boils
You will have some coolant left in the radiator, and the engine will get so hot that this coolant will start to boil. The pressure inside the radiator created by the boiling coolant can blow the radiator cap right off the radiator. As you know, this is incredibly dangerous. Scalding coolant can cause third-degree burns if it makes contact with your skin. Do not pop the hood if the coolant is boiling.
White Engine Exhaust
As we mentioned previously, the coolant leaks into the cylinders. Once it is in the cylinders, the spark plugs ignite it along with the fuel and air. As the coolant burns away, it creates white exhaust. This exhaust will flow out of your tailpipe while you are driving.
Diluted Motor Oil
The fact that your engine is running too hot is one reason why you should not drive your vehicle if you have a blown head gasket. The other reason why is that the motor oil will be diluted by the coolant and also leak into the cylinders. This will damage your engine.
Willoughby Hills Auto Repair in Willoughby Hills, OH, would be happy to help, so call us today to schedule a head gasket inspection.