Blown Engine Gasket Symptoms
Monday 5th August 2024
The head gasket is an essential component of your car’s engine as it is responsible for ensuring your vehicle runs smoothly. A blown engine gasket can cause significant damage to your car. Formula One Autocentres looks at the symptoms that can lead to a blown engine gasket.
What is an engine gasket?
The engine gasket is located at the top of the engine, between the block and cylinder head. All cars with internal combustion engines will have a head gasket as part of the engine’s structure. The gasket forms a seal which prevents the engine oil or coolant from mixing or leaking and also plays an essential role in ensuring the engine doesn’t overheat or catch fire.
How does an engine gasket become faulty?
Knowing when your engine gasket becomes faulty can be challenging as it is a part that’s not visible within the engine bay. A blown engine gasket is likely to occur if:
- The gasket is perforated or blown.
- The gasket isn’t installed correctly.
- There is an issue with the car’s ignition. Ignition issues are likely to occur when starting your car, thus leading to fuel being combusted incorrectly. This creates huge pressure in the cylinder head, causing gasket perforations over time.
Symptoms of a blown gasket
The signs you should look out for with a blown head gasket include:
Your car loses power
A blown engine gasket reduces pressure in the combustion chamber, causing a loss of power and a rough-sounding engine. This can lead to a loss of acceleration while driving. If you notice a blown head gasket, contact your local branch immediately. Our friendly engine specialists are here to replace your head gasket, so your car’s engine runs like new.
The engine is overheating
A noticeable symptom of a blown head gasket is the engine overheating. This in turn could cause:
- Coolant leaking into the engine cylinders.
- Exhaust gases to enter the cooling system.
- The engine cylinder head to warp.
- Potential damage to the catalytic converter.
Contaminated engine oil
Does the oil appear sludgy when you take the dipstick out to check the engine oil? The coolant may have mixed in with the engine oil, leading to a head gasket failure. If you drive your vehicle with contaminated engine oil, it will damage the engine’s bearings and can cause serious damage to the engine. Therefore, it is essential to get your engine checked immediately to avoid catastrophic damage to your car.
The engine coolant level is low
Are you having to fill your car with coolant regularly? You may notice a coolant-level warning light on your dashboard, indicating a potential issue with the head gasket. Having low coolant levels in your vehicle could be caused by:
- Coolant leaking onto the ground.
- Coolant seeping into the engine combustion chamber.
- The coolant leaking directly into the engine oil.
How to avoid a blown engine gasket?
There are many things you can do to reduce the likelihood of a damaged head gasket, such as:
- Topping up the engine coolant to the correct level.
- Ensuring there are no leaks in the coolant system.
- Making sure the head gasket is installed correctly.
Can I drive with a blown engine gasket?
No, we recommend not driving with a blown engine gasket. A blown gasket can cause:
- Loss of power.
- The engine to overheat.
- Reduced pressure in the engine’s combustion chamber.
If you have a blown head gasket, contact your local branch and our engine specialist can replace the existing gasket with a new one.
Have you noticed a strange sound from your car’s engine? It could signal a sputtering engine. Our article covers why your engine is sputtering. Book your annual MOT test at your nearest Formula One Autocentres branch today.
