The short response is… Yes! Any engine that suffers from a blown head gasket is in for some serious trouble, and the expense to repair the problem on the mechanical side can be pretty high. The engine block is the lower component of the engine that houses the cylinders. The head gasket is responsible for forming a seal between the engine block and the head of the engine (the upper portion that contains the valves). During operation, your head gasket also performs the function of channeling engine coolant to help keep your engine at a comfortable temperature. There are two possible outcomes that can result from a head gasket that has blown or cracked:
It may cause your engine’s coolant to leak out of the vehicle. As a consequence, coolant will be lost, which increases the risk that your engine could overheat if you continue to operate it for an extended period of time. In addition to causing burns if you inspect beneath the hood, hot coolant that is allowed to escape can also spark a fire, which is why a blown head gasket needs to be repaired as quickly as possible.
It is possible for coolant to enter your cylinders as a result of this. When coolant is combined with engine oil and fuel, the result is the distinctive white smoke that can be seen emanating from the tailpipe of a vehicle that has a burst head gasket due to the combination of the three substances. Because it prevents your engine oil from lubricating correctly, having an excessive amount of coolant in your cylinders can soon result in severe damage to your engine.
The majority of head gaskets will start to leak slowly until they eventually blow completely. When driving an older car, it is especially vital to be on the lookout for indicators of a blown head gasket. If you observe that the level of your engine coolant is lowering but you don’t detect any coolant leaking from the exterior of your vehicle, you may have coolant leaking into your engine. You should also keep an eye out for white smoke coming from your tailpipe, as this is another sign that the head gasket on your vehicle has either been cracked or completely ruptured.
It is imperative that action be taken at the earliest possible indication of a blown head gasket. To get you back on your way, all that is required is one of our Bar’s Leaks products designed to repair coolant systems. The best head gasket sealers are designed to work to permanently seal head gasket leaks so that head gasket replacement, which is both expensive and time-consuming, is not required. You have a selection of options available to you when it comes to head gasket goods. Do not put your vehicle at danger by driving it with a blown head gasket because doing so could result in significant damage. We’ve seen it happen. It is neither attractive, nor is it a bargain.